Jacob Mellis created Mansfield’s best chance in the 1st half but he could not find a Stags player when he pulled the ball back from the touchline. Neal Bishop was harshly yellow carded for retaliation after a bad foul by Danny Grainger but he was then stupidly sent off after picking up a yellow card for confronting Grainger in the tunnel at half time. Jacob Mellis and Neal Bishop both gave the ball away too much in the 1st half and CJ Hamilton looked lethargic throughout the game.

Well done to the Stags for winning the 2nd half 2-1 with 10 men with goals from Matt Preston and Tyler Walker but Carlisle were always in control of the game once the Stags had lost Bishop at half time. Conrad Logan had to make a couple of good saves. My Mansfield Man of the Match was Matt Preston. Carlisle’s MOM was Jamie Devitt who is clearly having another good season.

NJ is some man for one man, hope we can hang onto him as long as possible, love him! COYH!

Onwards and upwards. PS- great interview on the man and his background to where he’s got in football.

He’s into Something Good !…. COYH’s!

“I do seriously enjoy these type of articles that you occasionally produce Doc Roger! Very clever, very informative and, without exception, they are complimentary about the places that you have visited. I am just wondering is there anybody on the d3d4 site that ever writes similar types of articles when they visit Morecambe with their own particular teams. Would love to read them and see what they say!!!”

A good insight into NJ.

A well deserved win for the Stags as we picked up our almost customary three points from playing Grimsby at home. It was our fourth consecutive home win in the league against the Mariners. It was a little more challenging than last season’s 4-1 home win under tSteve Evans because we decided to miss some easy chances in the first half and then decided to contribute to Grimsby’s survival prospects by scoring a goal for them. However we again reverted to a 4-3-3/4-2-4 in the 2nd half which unleashed the human missile known as CJ Hamilton down the left and CJ came up with a brilliant run and cross to Tyler Walker at the far post in the 82nd minute for Tyler to nod in his 8th league goal of the season (12 in all competitions).

Grimsby included former Stag, Mitch Rose, who is the nephew of the top Doncaster Junior League referee, Neil Rose. Liam Hearn was in the commentary box for them. Michael Boulding had also been invited as a guest in hospitality.

Danny Rose and Tyler Walker both missed great chances to give the Stags the lead in the first half before the Stags then decided to shoot themselves in the foot after a daft foul throw by Matt Preston. Krystian Pearce was turned too easily by Wes Thomas and his cross was knocked home at the far post by Mal Benning. Rumours started to circulate around Field Mill that Mal had become Grimsby’s top joint scorer. James McKeown had a great game in goal for Grimsby and he made a good save to deny Timi Elsnik as the Stags walked off at half time to murmers of discontent.

David Flitcroft clearly decided at half time that he was going to throw the kitchen sink at Grimsby’s defence and brought on another forward Craig Davies together with right back, Hayden White. This meant that he changed to a back four for the third consecutive 2nd half which has the benefit of allowing CJ Hamilton to move to the left with his sidekick, Mal Benning. It had the desired effect as CJ Hamilton combined Jacob Mellis down the left before CJ’s shot was pushed out for a corner. Jacob Mellis’ corner was initially cleared but he whipped it back in again to the far post where Tyler Walker was on hand to volley home. To be fair to Mr Jolly’s Grimsby they never shut up shop as Oldham Athletic had done for 90 minutes a month ago. The change to the Stags’ formation gave them a bit more time and space in midfield and they continued to commit men forward. Danny Rose had another quiet game and he was replaced by young Jordan Graham in the 81st minute. CJ then decided to go on another great run down the left before providing a brilliant cross which gave Tyler Walker an open goal at the far post. The Forest loanee nodded it into an empty net to give the Stags the three points and move them into the play off positions and 3 points off the top 3. The last 5 Mansfield goals have all been scored by Tyler. He missed four good chances against MK Dons and did not look happy when he was subbed but his tap in at Crewe (thanks to CJ again!) has boosted his confidence and now it is Danny Rose who needs something to go his way.

My Man of the Match for the third time in four matches was Jacob Mellis who is having his best spell for the Stags. He’s on fire. It could have been four matches as he was Mansfield’s best midfield player at Cheltenham. MOM for Grimsby was the reliable James McKeown in goal who has made over 300 league appearances for them.

It will be nice to pick up a win against Charlton in the FA Cup on Sunday as the Valiants make a rare visit to North Notts.

COYS!!

It was a great move by David Flitcroft at half time to go to a flat back four and release CJ Hamilton on to the left where he linked up well with Mal Benning. Jacob Mellis was on fire. A great pass to CJ Hamilton to give Tyler Walker a tap in for the third goal; and then he played CJ Hamilton in again but CJ missed a great chance to make it 4-0. The game was then over and became a little scrappy. Bobby Olejnik had to make a good save near the end. Krystian Pearce was rock solid in the 2nd half and won everything.

My MOM was Jacob Mellis for the 2nd consecutive game. I think he was involved in all three goals. Timi Elsnik probably comes a close second for his two goals followed by Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce and Neal Bishop.

Up to 9th with a game in hand. We need to start turning draws into wins.

The BBC have been in touch and we have given our permission.

Thanks
James

Under present format it gives every team an opportunity to give three or four young talent an opportunity in each side as the EFL teams player structure was changed to be more flexible than first two seasons of comp. The £ signs influenced the present chairpersons but for any change I would expect every EFL club to want the same sum from PL and the PL clubs are not going to give up their vast sums from sky etc.

PL ‘B’ teams won’t happen. The PL already whinge about how much they have to pay to have a cat 1 academy.

Watford have folded their academy to save £2M, that says all you need to know what is wrong with the game. The Hornets would rather allow their millions to go to Italy than invest in young talent.

Andy was kind enough to clarify as a number of people thought the same things as me.