Sutton shores up Stags’ leaky defence

After seeing Mansfield Town leak four sloppy goals in a game and a half, Ritchie Sutton is a happy man after coming on at half-time at Tranmere and being part of a defence that has not conceded again in the following game and a half.

He even won himself the man of the match accolade in last weekend’s 0-0 home draw with Exeter City.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers, Sutton said: “I am over the moon to come back into the side and I got my first man of the match in three years on Saturday.

“We had been conceding sloppy goals and the gaffer thought he needed to change things.

“The gaffer has looked at me as a full back but this is a chance for me at centre half, where I like to play as well, and I need to take it.

“I think I have become a better player here as I am now more experienced and, as a defender, when you are young you can do rash things that experienced pros wouldn’t do. I feel I have become more solid.” He added: “I have played at Wycombe before when I was with Port Vale and I know it will be a good atmosphere. We need to push on now and get three points.”