Day 279

Our home advantage marks us as favourites for tomorrow’s potential title-decider against Mansfield. All we need is a draw; they have to win. Our last meeting—back in late November (more than four months ago)—ended all square thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Mansfield’s Louis Briscoe.

Mansfield will be missing key striker and former Lincoln player (from the season before I arrived) Ben Hutchinson. Meanwhile I’ll be making do without star midfielders Chris Birchall and Chris Shuker. Olembé will be starting, however, and I’ll need him at his best.

I dove into the statistics, hoping for something that could give me an edge. Mansfield have scored more goals from free kicks than any other team in the league—four direct plus 12 indirect. Their record on corners is less than stellar—only eight of their 83 total goals came from corner set pieces.

Central midfielder Gary Roberts has been ever-present for his side, contributing 12 assists and five goals along the way. I must keep him quiet. Mansfield have a strong team across the board, with several players contributing in each area of the game. I couldn’t find any weakpoints, although I’m sure some exist.

My best bet may be to go for an early lead and then hold possession, trying to tire an already-weary team—perhaps turning up the tempo for a period towards the end of the first half.