The Opposition View: Mansfield Town

Last updated : 27 April 2017 By Jim Bonner

What's your assessment of Mansfield's season and would it be considered a failure if your team didn'tmake the play-offs?

After being beaten 4-0 at your place earlier in the season we had a change of manager who's pretty much changed the team and since then we've come along way in a short space of time. If we didn't make the play-offs it would be disappointing but not a failure. 

Steve Evans is one of the most loathed men in lower league football but what do Stags fans think of him?

We love him, he's been in the opposition dugout a few times against us and I've never seen someone get the stick he did from our fans but it's certainly a case of you hate him unless he's yours. His record speaks for itself, I'm confident he will take us up if not this season then next.

Who are the key players in the Mansfield squad?

Pearce at the back has been outstanding this season, expect him to take the player of the season awards pre-match Saturday and deservedly so, He's been a rock and stood out in what has been a solid defence all season. 

What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of this Stags side?

Our biggest strength is our defence. We don't concede many - aside from the reverse fixture at Fratton Park anyway. 13 clean sheets since that game. Weaknesses are we don't score enough goals, we create chances but just come short when it comes to putting them away. I think we'll need more than the one goal to beat you lot this weekend!

Pompey come into this match as the form team in the league with the title still to play for so how confident are you of getting a result at Field Mill on Saturday?

We all know it's going to be a very tough game but we are confident. It's likely to be our biggest gate of the season and the buzz leading up to this will help for a good atmosphere. 

Predict the outcome of the game.

Think it will be a score draw. 1-1.