Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to continue their excellent home form in an FA Cup second round clash against Mansfield Town in what Darren Moore predicts will be a “pulsating” occasion.
In the previous round the Owls comfortably beat fellow League One side Morecambe FC in a 2-0 victory with Josh Windass and Nottingham Forest loanee Alex Mighten getting the goals.
Darren Moore’s side made five changes for their clash in the previous round with Morecambe and it is likely that Wednesday will rotate their squad again for Saturday’s fixture.
The former West Brom manager said we will see some academy involvement.
Based on past results the game is unlikely to go to a replay, the last four times the two sides have faced there has been an outright winner.
The Wednesday boss said: “It will be a pulsating game with two teams that’ll go head-to-head and go after each other, and the message is out to all Wednesday fans to come down tomorrow and get behind the team.”
In the competition last year Wednesday were dumped out in a 3-0 defeat in a first-round replay away at Plymouth.
Mansfield Town will be hoping for a repeat of the cup run they enjoyed last year when the Stags knocked out league one giants Sunderland as well as Doncaster before taking Championship side Middlesbrough to penalties in the 3rd round.
Host of Mansfield Matters podcast, Craig Priest said: “I’m optimistic, in the FA Cup Mansfield have got a good history especially under Nigel Clough playing against League One sides over the last couple of seasons.”
The Stags manager Nigel Clough is no stranger to Sheffield. The 56-year-old is a former Sheffield United manager and made one league appearance on loan as a player for the Owls.
The son of legendary Brian Clough has an excellent cup record.
As Sheffield United manager he took the Blades to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and at Burton Albion Clough took the Brewers to the semi-finals of the League cup beating the likes of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest on the way.
Darren Moore was quick to compliment Nigel Clough and said: “It doesn’t surprise me to see Mansfield in the higher echelons of League Two.”
Mansfield Town are also expected to bring a following of near 4000 which would be the biggest away attendance at Hillsborough this season.
On the injuries front Darren Moore confirmed that Josh Windass is set to miss out after picking up a minor groin injury in the game against Shrewsbury.
He added that George Byers and Akin Famewo are nearly back to full fitness.
The game will take place at 3pm Saturday at Hillsborough Stadium.
