Jamie McGuire calls on Mansfield Town to get their League Two season off to a flyer

Stags host former Premier League giants Portsmouth in one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season before facing Dagenham and Redbridge the following Saturday.

And McGuire, who put in a man-of-the-match display against Wycombe, says the first victory of the season now gives Mansfield a great platform to build upon.

“It is great to get our first three points in the bag, Wycombe is a hard place to go and it is a monkey off our back,” he said.

“The new formation worked well for us and suits the players we have. We looked very solid.

“We are still adapting to this new level, but there is nothing to be worried about, I’m sure we can do well in League Two.

“It is still early doors, but we need to use this win to kick on. It is vital that we get six points from our next two games.

“Portsmouth will bring a big following and everyone at the club is looking forward to the game.

“They are a big club with a big history, but it is all about what we do. They have got some good players and we need to get in their faces, continue to work hard and take our chances.”

McGuire, who played 112 times for Fleetwood before being snapped up by Paul Cox, is relishing being back in the starting line-up after he missed out at Scunthorpe and then Tranmere after being hit by food poisoning.

“I am delighted to be back in the team and just want to get my grove back,” he added.

“I started my career at Tranmere on YTS forms so I was a big gutted to miss out playing against them, but that is football, it was just one of those and you have to get on with it.

“We have got a good squad here and good competition for places, I will just take one game at a time, but it is great to be playing again

Portsmouth lifted the FA Cup in 2008 after beating Cardiff City 1-0. But years of overspending came at a price as Pompey plummeted down