Shirtliff meanwhile is looking forward to taking the Stags to St James Park, speaking to the official Mansfield Town website today, he said ""It has been a busy time and I have banned the lads talking about the Newcastle game but now that Christmas is over we can start looking forward to our trip to SJP.
"The lads haven't shown any signs of being over excited yet but I know what's coming having played in some big games in the past. They will start to get excited as the game draws closer. For some all the interviews this week will already be bringing the reality of the game home to them.
"I believe though, the players will adjust to the expectation levels of the fans. It will be a big crowd and will be a bit strange at first but we are looking forward to it."
"This sort of thing doesn't happen everyday. To get a premiership club and play at a stadium like Newcastle's in my first year as manager is more than my wildest dreams could have come up with. We will be going up there and having a go, competing and getting stuck in, we have nothing to prove so all the pressure will be on them."
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Full Shirtliff interview on:
http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk