Lovely write-up as always, Donaldo. It may not really seem a derby, but they will probably bring 3000+ with them. I hope locals come out in more force than in earlier games, although those who have come have been a good "twelfth man".
My concerns are after listening to McS's after Newcastle game comments is that he maybe thinking of starting Jones. I've nothing against the guy, but I think Mitchell rads the game better. Both can go brain dead with poor roll out or short pass out, but I'd give Jones a slight advantage on long kicks.
I'll go with 3-1 to the Rovers, but may change that after I see the team.

I was quietly confident of a win before reading Donaldo's preview! As I always say I used to be indecisive but now I'm not really sure. Confidence should be high and we have shown resilience. Looks like Clough may change his system but it could be a bluff! I'll go for a 2-2 draw. Tomlin, Miller.

The new lad from Liverpool looks interesting. Expect hell feature from the bench at some point.

I forgot to mention a scorer - I'll say Rowe on his 200th appearance. If for some reason he does not start, Tomlin.

Having a break in Wharfedale with intermittent signal so will post now whilst I can.
Rovers 2-1 Mansfield
Miller to score ⚽ if not playing, Rowe to score.

Another tough game against a team that will bring significant support. I think we'll fare better than last time we played Mansfield. 2-1 to Rovers. Miller / Tomlin.

1-0 rovers win Rowe with goal

Oh dear, what can the matter be!

Rovers 1 (Tomlin) : Mansfield 3
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 21 >>>>>> 21
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 33 >>>>>> 33
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 23 >>>>> 23
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 33 >>>>>> 33
Nookie>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 17 >>>>>> 21
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>>>>> 6
>>>>>>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 133 >>>>> 141

Well, I spoke too soon. A worse result than last time.

Sounds like we were out thought and out fought. Second best. The youth wasn't experienced enough and the experienced not quick enough.

Total B/F was wrong - now corrected

Rovers 1 (Tomlin) : Mansfield 3
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 21 >>>>>> 21
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 33 >>>>>> 33
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 23 >>>>> 23
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 33 >>>>>> 33
Nookie>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 17 >>>>>> 21
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>>>>> 6
>>>>>>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 133 >>>>> 137

Sorry

The extended highlights exhibit some really good football from Rovers, but Mansfield showed individual skill of a level not visible from other teams we have been up against.

It was not possible to assess whether Taylor made any useful contribution and I will have to delve into the match replay to find out.

I suppose that both open-play goal strikes that Mansfield had could be branded exceptional at this level and not all refs would have given them their penalty which was a risk that our defender ought not to have taken because Lapslie was not immediately threatening a shot.

Mansfield have identified themselves as real rivals, but I am not downhearted.

I also think Mansfield showed some of the best skills we have seen from opposing teams. Their first goal was one of those 1 in 100 attempts that work to that degree, and the move for the second was good. I thought the penalty was harsh, but that was a risk Maxwell should not have taken.
While Mansfield did out think and out play us all over the pitch much of the time, we did have bad luck with that great strike from Hurst hitting the post, and the excellent save from Miller's header.
We really failed in mid-field with poor service to the forwards. Taylor hardly got a look-in and so it was hard to judge what he can add.
To me Biggins was poor (to be honest I've yet to see much in him other than work rate which was missing this game), Molyneaux is nowhere near what he showed in pre-season, Maxwell is not near what showed n earlier games, and Clayton's passing was below his normal standard. Faulkner has his weakest game so far, but still is an excellent prospect. He often played backwards which resulted in a wild kick by Mitchell which anyone's could have done earlier. Overall, the 100% efforts seen in all games so far was missing with some players.
One cannot fault Mitchell for any of the goals, but he has to vastly improve his distribution which is terrible.
I'm sure McS will sort out the effort issue before the next game, and so I'm still optimistic about the future.