They say of successful teams that they pick up points even when they are below there best, and that was certainly the case yesterday as Mansfield were second best for the majority of the game. Steve Evan's admitted as much in his post match interview, stating the Stags were fortunate to earn more than a point.
After another game receiving very little service, current talisman Danny Rose swept a downward header from skipper Krystian Pearce past the despairing dive of David Forde in the Cambridge goal. Rose was finally back in the starting line-up but made little impact up until the point, though it must be said he came out victorious in the majority of his aerial duels. Rose now has the best goals per minute ratio of any League Two striker thus far.
Mansfield have been at their best in the second half of games this season, and yesterday was no different when they failed to create a chance worthy of the name. The midfield pairing of Digby and Butcher, excellent in a battle last week at Lincoln, devoid of any creativity against Cambridge. Both were caught dwelling on the ball too often and are not a pairing you would have any faith in to unlock a defence. They were 10 yards to deep leaving Rose and Hemmings isolated.
The game was crying out for a creative spark and the introduction of Jacob Mellis for Paul Digby provided just that. Within ten seconds of entering the field he had played the first pass to the feet of the strikers of the entire game. He simply has to play, particularly at home. Whilst he is a little lazy at times, or has the appearance of being, he passes through the lines and this allows the likes of MacDonald to get up in support of the strikers.
The decision for Hemmings to play ahead of Angol was interesting, the thinking I can only assume was to get more minutes into the legs of Hemmings. He may still be searching for match fitness, but for me he has offered little thus far, certainly not enough to start ahead of Angol or Rose.
Bar one lapse from a set piece, the fault of Pearce who later atoned by supplying the winning goal, the defence was solid again. Despite a shaky opening game at Crewe, David Mirfin has now secured the right to be one of the first names on the team sheet. Hayden White and Johnny Hunt were both solid against the tricky wing play of Mingoia.
Cambridge certainly showed they are a top half team at the very least, but it must be a concern for Shaun Derry that his team never really looked like conceding yet somehow conspired to lose. The penalty decision certainly helped Mansfield. It looked unclear from my vantage point, though strangely there were no angry protests from the United players, which suggests the officials made the right decision.
Mansfield head to Cheltenham on Tuesday night and Steve Evans has to find away of fitting Mellis into the side against struggling opposition. Personally I expect four changes, assuming there are no injury problems, with Atkinson, Anderson, Mellis and Angol in for Digby, Butcher, Potter and Hemmings.
Player Ratings
Logan - 7 - Didn't have much to do. One very good save in the first half, one worrying moment from a shot which appeared an easy catch but he opted to punch, almost into his own goal. Not at fault for the goal in my opinion.
White - 7.5 - Solid display. A hand in both goals. Provides an extra dimension going forward.
Pearce - 7 - Excellent in open play but lost Legge for the goal. Needs to be aware that lapses could cost him his place.
Mirfin - 8 - Fantastic in the air again two powerful centre forward. One of the first names on the team sheet at the moment. Hopefully ageing legs can stand up to three games in a week.
Hunt - 6.5 - Solid but unspectacular. Offers less than Benning going forward but his selection has coincided with defensive improvement.
Potter - 6.5 - Tries hard but too easily knocked off the ball. Has to play 10 or not at all at home I think, useful defensively away from home.
Butcher - 6 - Poor game. Didn't see him at Carlisle but have seen nothing in the four games since to suggest he is the wow signing Evans indicated. Maybe still searching for fitness.
Digby - 5.5 - Gave the ball away constantly and played on the toes of the centre halves. May have benefitted from playing with a more attacking partner. Shame after Lincoln display.
MacDonald - 6.5 - Always puts in a shift, really like him as a player but should be doing more at home in my opinion. Livened up once we equalised.
Hemmings - 5.5 - Not sure what type of striker he is. When it's not quite going for you, need to work hard as a minimum and sometimes falls short in that area too. Needs a goal but would leave him out of the next game.
Rose - 7 - Match winner put a shift in and took his chance when it came. Think Evans would like him to hold the ball up better. Drops a little too deep at times.
Subs
Mellis - Changed the game with his first touch. Best footballer at the club and needs to play in home games at the very least. Fortunate penalty.
Anderson - Flashes of good play. Would like to see him put his foot on the ball a bit more instead of aimlessly kicking in direction he is facing.
Angol - One fantastic touch followed by shot straight at keeper. Unfortunate to be dropped instead of Hemmings.
After another game receiving very little service, current talisman Danny Rose swept a downward header from skipper Krystian Pearce past the despairing dive of David Forde in the Cambridge goal. Rose was finally back in the starting line-up but made little impact up until the point, though it must be said he came out victorious in the majority of his aerial duels. Rose now has the best goals per minute ratio of any League Two striker thus far.
Mansfield have been at their best in the second half of games this season, and yesterday was no different when they failed to create a chance worthy of the name. The midfield pairing of Digby and Butcher, excellent in a battle last week at Lincoln, devoid of any creativity against Cambridge. Both were caught dwelling on the ball too often and are not a pairing you would have any faith in to unlock a defence. They were 10 yards to deep leaving Rose and Hemmings isolated.
The game was crying out for a creative spark and the introduction of Jacob Mellis for Paul Digby provided just that. Within ten seconds of entering the field he had played the first pass to the feet of the strikers of the entire game. He simply has to play, particularly at home. Whilst he is a little lazy at times, or has the appearance of being, he passes through the lines and this allows the likes of MacDonald to get up in support of the strikers.
The decision for Hemmings to play ahead of Angol was interesting, the thinking I can only assume was to get more minutes into the legs of Hemmings. He may still be searching for match fitness, but for me he has offered little thus far, certainly not enough to start ahead of Angol or Rose.
Bar one lapse from a set piece, the fault of Pearce who later atoned by supplying the winning goal, the defence was solid again. Despite a shaky opening game at Crewe, David Mirfin has now secured the right to be one of the first names on the team sheet. Hayden White and Johnny Hunt were both solid against the tricky wing play of Mingoia.
Cambridge certainly showed they are a top half team at the very least, but it must be a concern for Shaun Derry that his team never really looked like conceding yet somehow conspired to lose. The penalty decision certainly helped Mansfield. It looked unclear from my vantage point, though strangely there were no angry protests from the United players, which suggests the officials made the right decision.
Mansfield head to Cheltenham on Tuesday night and Steve Evans has to find away of fitting Mellis into the side against struggling opposition. Personally I expect four changes, assuming there are no injury problems, with Atkinson, Anderson, Mellis and Angol in for Digby, Butcher, Potter and Hemmings.
Player Ratings
Logan - 7 - Didn't have much to do. One very good save in the first half, one worrying moment from a shot which appeared an easy catch but he opted to punch, almost into his own goal. Not at fault for the goal in my opinion.
White - 7.5 - Solid display. A hand in both goals. Provides an extra dimension going forward.
Pearce - 7 - Excellent in open play but lost Legge for the goal. Needs to be aware that lapses could cost him his place.
Mirfin - 8 - Fantastic in the air again two powerful centre forward. One of the first names on the team sheet at the moment. Hopefully ageing legs can stand up to three games in a week.
Hunt - 6.5 - Solid but unspectacular. Offers less than Benning going forward but his selection has coincided with defensive improvement.
Potter - 6.5 - Tries hard but too easily knocked off the ball. Has to play 10 or not at all at home I think, useful defensively away from home.
Butcher - 6 - Poor game. Didn't see him at Carlisle but have seen nothing in the four games since to suggest he is the wow signing Evans indicated. Maybe still searching for fitness.
Digby - 5.5 - Gave the ball away constantly and played on the toes of the centre halves. May have benefitted from playing with a more attacking partner. Shame after Lincoln display.
MacDonald - 6.5 - Always puts in a shift, really like him as a player but should be doing more at home in my opinion. Livened up once we equalised.
Hemmings - 5.5 - Not sure what type of striker he is. When it's not quite going for you, need to work hard as a minimum and sometimes falls short in that area too. Needs a goal but would leave him out of the next game.
Rose - 7 - Match winner put a shift in and took his chance when it came. Think Evans would like him to hold the ball up better. Drops a little too deep at times.
Subs
Mellis - Changed the game with his first touch. Best footballer at the club and needs to play in home games at the very least. Fortunate penalty.
Anderson - Flashes of good play. Would like to see him put his foot on the ball a bit more instead of aimlessly kicking in direction he is facing.
Angol - One fantastic touch followed by shot straight at keeper. Unfortunate to be dropped instead of Hemmings.
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