Tranmere Rovers
One-on-One: Mansfield Town Fan Interview
By John Lee
April 14 2015
Continuing our pre-match feature, John Lee talks to Mansfield Town fan Jonathan Friel ahead of Tranmere's away game against his side on Tuesday night.....
JL: What do you know about your next opponents Tranmere Rovers?
JF: I dont know much at all, just that it'll be two relegations on the bounce if they go down this season. Seems to be a club on the slide. They score more goals than Mansfield, they've got a manager who's achieved success and will not be an easy match
JL: Any players, past or present day, stuck in your mind?
JF: Jason Koumas has been round the block a few times, I dont know if he's injured but he always used to pop up with goals. Max Power too - what a great name. Hoping he's not turning it up to 11.
JL: Big game for us both on Tuesday night. How are you approaching it?
JF: With caution. We aren't confident in front of goal and we seem to be giving away silly errors at the back.
JL: Your last five games have produced zero points. You were looking pretty safe, what changed?
JF: Suspensions, injuries, a tough run-in. We really should have got something against York or Hartlepool, on paper, but that's football. I dont know why but our confidence has gone.
JL: A point will probably make you safe. Do you think you'll approach it with a 'make sure we don't lose' attitude or be looking to win?
JF: I think we have to win. Tranmere will be in the 'can not lose' camp more than us, we're at home, Liam Hearn is back from a long injury. A win will really settle the nerves for the last three games, we need six points from the last four matches - the sooner the better.
JL: Jamie Maguire is a product of our youth system. He didn't quite make the grade but has gone on to do well. How's he doing at Mansfield?
JF: He's marmite. One match he is a headless chicken and a red-card magnet, other days he's dogged and determined, a real leader, he breaks up play well on his day, good League Two player, but no higher.
JL: We also had Junior Brown last season. He got sent off at a crucial time in our last game of the season. Is he still a loose cannon?
JF: He's been good. started really well. Doesn't score enough for me but is a real old fashioned winger type. Gets up and down the line well. He lacks end product though.
JL: We signed Rob Taylor from you this January. I like him and hope he stays next season. How did the fans at Field Mill take to him?
JF: Rob was a Paul Cox signing and Adam Murray let him leave after he claimed Mansfield was too much of a commute. He wasnt here long enough for anyone to really pass judgement on him.
JL: Who should we be watching out for tomorrow? Anyone on form?
JF: I think Jack Thomas is our little rough diamond at the moment. He's a youth, a local lad, developed at the club, highly rated in Mansfield. Adam Murray has said he wants to build a team round him next season and only bring in players that are as good as he is. Praise indeed. Other than that, If Liam Hearn gets on the field, he might raise the spirits of the fans. He was last summer's big signing but he's been injured all season.
JL: Prediction for the game?
JF: 1-0 to Mansfield. Edgy, scrappy and nerve-racking game.
JL: Prediction for where both clubs will finish? I normally ask 'would you like to see Tranmere survive' but I am sure you don't in this case! Understandably so.
JF: Mansfield - 19th, Tranmere - 23rd (unfortunately). We were down in that hell hole of a league and I dont want to see any team in it, we relegated Bristol Rovers last season. It's a nasty league, full of part-timers, tiny little grounds, no fans...difficult to get out of.
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Thanks to Jonathan Friel (@4RealFriel) for his insight ahead of the game tomorrow.
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14/04/2015 00:21
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