Form hasn’t been great in recent weeks for our counties professional clubs but whilst both Notts County and Forest have lost their latest of matches in the league, Mansfield Town bounced back by beating League Two leaders Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night to end a run of two successive defeats with the win against Morecambe prior to those coming after three losses in a row.

For Nigel Clough, who feels recent defensive errors have hindered otherwise good spells of performance levels, he will be optimistic that Mansfield can get something at Crawley Town as the Stags head south this weekend to face a team seven points above them in eleventh.

Mansfield are currently sixteenth in the league with forty points and will be buoyed by their win against Cheltenham, after coming back from a goal down to finish dominantly at Field Mill, under Clough, the Stags have now taken three points off the top three teams in the division, which certainly shows they can compete with the best.

One of those players competing with the best in the division is Jordan Bowery who got into double figures for the season on Tuesday with a double that took him to ten league goals. Bowery, whilst well off the most prolific in the league, Paul Mullin of Cambridge has 23 goals this season, is a different sort of forward to your instinctive goal-hungry poacher, whilst possessing those attributes to score inside the box, Bowery son of former Nottingham Forest striker Bert, is a powerhouse, a battering ram, a big strong physical presence that brings others into play, that competes with centre halves and finds pockets deep to get on the ball and contribute outside of the penalty area.

His form has largely depended on service and against Cheltenham there was particular praise for a young forward who has assisted the attacking duo of Bowery and Jamie Reid well in recent weeks, Clough saying young Jordan Law who has came into the side since February “is looking more assured as each game goes by.”

A talented footballer who has a decent delivery, Law is a player that fits into the current Stags team of young, hungry, fit and hard working footballers that are keen to work hard for the shirt.

Whilst Saturday expects the Stags to do well, and kick on from their win over the Robins in midweek, questions on whether Notts County have peaked too early, on whether they are under-performing, on whether they are blowing out of steam, have all been asked since their loss against Halifax in midweek.

Notts were beaten 2-1 at home and have failed to win in their last four league outings, slipping down the pecking order in the promotion race, the Magpies sit sixth, at least in a playoff place, but are twelve points behind leaders Sutton with just one game in hand.

Neal Ardley, who has come under criticism from some fans, admitted his side and his staff, including himself, have ‘underperformed’ of late. Against Wealdstone on Saturday they face a side who Notts arguably played their best football of the season verses, even local newspapers after the 3-0 win in November had said Wealdstone had been humiliated by Notts, they’ll be repercussions as the Londoners will hope home advantage can help restore some pride, severely dented by Notts that day.

One man shining is Enzio Boldewijn, the talisman and on his day one of the finest players in the division, a mazy dribble against Halifax resulting in a wonderful goal, not enough to save Notts blushes on the night.

Notts need more from their stars, Kyle Wootton has twelve for the season but next best is Enzio with four, not good enough for a team that has some of the best attacking players in the division.

Excuses will continue, some perhaps understandable, Notts have had a frustrating campaign which has been stop, start and covid caused, but then so has everyone, the sheer quality in Notts squad should be better than sixth place in the National League come March.

As Notts look to end a run of four games without a win tomorrow, Forest hope to win their first match in three against promotion pushing Reading.

The Royals have won their last three matches and are well within the play off pack whilst Forest have slipped in recent weeks, following a 1-1 draw in Derby they have lost twice, 1-0 against Luton & Watford.

Style of play has been one question thrown at Manager Chris Hughton who’s side have lacked any serious goal threat far too often this season. Glenn Murray hasn’t scored since his debut brace v Wycombe, Lyle Taylor is the clubs top goalscorer with just four goals.

If Forest do win tomorrow, or lose, one things is for sure, it will be by one goal. The Reds haven’t scored more than that in their last seven games, they haven’t conceded more than that in their last ten.

Testament to their defence, marshalled by Joe Worrall who has been fantastic all season, the side is set up the Chris Hughton way, solid looking but still lacking that bit of spark. The Manager saying ahead of Reading “Yes, they are a very good team and are a team in a very good position but it is important that we play well enough to get the three points.”

All three matches will kick off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon, exactly the time when football should be played.

To find out how to watch each game, you can visit the Mansfield Town, Notts County and Nottingham Forest websites for streaming options.

*Main image @NFFC Nottingham Forest welcome Reading to the City Ground this weekend.