Record-breaking Mansfield Town aiming to wreck Wrexham’s title dreams

Mansfield Town can take a massive step towards the BSBP title and all but wreck Wrexham’s chances with a win in tomorrow night’s big showdown at the Racecourse Ground (7.45pm).
Paul Cox applauds the traveling fans  -Pic by:Richard ParkesPaul Cox applauds the traveling fans  -Pic by:Richard Parkes
Paul Cox applauds the traveling fans -Pic by:Richard Parkes

Stags are second, one point behind leaders Kidderminster with three games in hand, while Wrexham are now 10 points adrift on the same number of games in fourth place with hopes fading.

It looks to be a must-win game for the Red Dragons, but Stags boss Paul Cox refused to be drawn, saying: “I don’t like to talk about other clubs’ situations, I just want to make sure we are focused to go out there and win again. Wrexham are a very good club and a squad full of excellent players.

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“It is a massive game. We will go there to attack them. I would rather do that than sit back and invite them onto you. We are in a mode at the minute and look as if we can go out there and get a result.

“Until it’s mathematically impossible, I wouldn’t rule anyone out, We are just concentrating on ourselves and staying in the right frame of mind.

“They are all big games now – six cup finals. We just have to get our heads down, work hard and keep going until the time someone tells us that, mathematically, someone has won it or hasn’t.”

Mansfield will be looking for a 13th successive win – which would be a new Conference and club record – and a new club record 12th away win in a season.

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“We are not doing anything flash,” said Cox. “The lads just understand their roles, what we’ve got in front of us and what we need to do, and sticking to our game plan. I am sure there will be twists and turns and we just have to make sure we keep those twists and turns as far away as possible from us.

“I love it when our supporters get excited – all the talk is positive. There shouldn’t be any anxiety. There is no pressure. We are fighting for a massive prize and we have to keep focused only on our next game.

“I love this part of the season and the lads are enjoying it as well. We are giving them breathing space to recover and doing everything right. They are looking after themselves and look a hungry bunch.

“This morning there seemed to be no tiredness whatsover. I don’t know if that’s a bit of kidology from the players, but there seems to be a spring in their step at a time of the season when tiredness can set in.

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“All of the top six deserve the chance to go up. If, in the end, it’s not us I will be the first to ring and congratulate the winners as it’s a tough task. If we then didn’t win the play-offs, I would do the same again.”

Although the goals are going in, Stags’ recent run also shows they have only conceded three goals in the last nine games.

Said Cox: “That is exceptional, but we are defending as a team from the front. The back four and Alan Marriott have been absolutely superb. There is a telepathy there and they understand each other. And Greg Taylor has come in and looks like he’s played there all season.

“The lads have set high standards and now have to maintain them.”

Mansfield will stay overnight in Wrexham before going directly to Barrow where they will stay overnight for Saturday’s fixture at Holker Street.