Shirtliff Not Getting Carried Away

After the 2-0 away win at Huddersfield in the Carling Cup, expectations are certainly on the up at Field Mill, ahead of the weekend clash with Lincoln City in League 2, but boss Peter Shirtliff is airing on the side of caution, and he told the Nottingham Evening Post "I don't want the cup win to detract from our league games. I want it to spur us on and act as a catalyst. We are still only mid-table even though we haven't lost yet so it is not fantastic. I am not getting carried away and neither are the players.

"We need to convert some of the draws we have been getting into victories.''

With one leage win so far this season, the Stags need to turn those draws into victories to avoid being left in the mid-table position they currently find themselves in.

It is also encouraging that the players know themselves they can go that extra yard, with midfielder Jonathan D'Laryea saying "We have got a little run going and we have been quite consistent. But even though we are still unbeaten, the players feel we have drawn games we should have won.

"The Grimsby game was a good example. We were disappointed that we didn't win whereas last season we would probably have been happy with a draw."

A bumper crowd should also help the Stags onto three points, there is certainly nothing better than a local derby to stir the supporters.