Now most of you will be thinking that I'm only putting Mansfield down to finish bottom because they are our local rivals, but I actually have a soft spot for them having been born in nearby Sutton-in-Ashfield. My reason for predicting Mansfield to finish rock bottom are as follows.

Just 4 years ago Mansfield Town were one of the best sides that League 2 had to offer. An exciting squad full of talented individuals such as Liam Lawrence, Colin Larkin and Bobby Hassell swept most teams aside as 22 wins saw them make the playoffs.

They beat Northampton in the semi finals and just like the Imps, had a seemingly perfectly good goal ruled out in the Final. A performance in penalties that resembled England saw the Stags lose out to Huddersfield and Mansfield haven't been the same since.

In the past 3 seasons Mansfield have slowly been on their way down, finishing 13th, 16th and then 17th, losing more games each year than the previous and more often looking over their shoulders at relegation. Last year even saw them occupy the relegation zone for an occasion, ironically the turning point being when Richie Barker was sold to Hartlepool. After that Mansfield suddenly improved thanks to loan players coming into the club, namely Gritton from City and Conlon from Darlington..

Neither of those players are now wearing Mansfield shirts and with no obvious regular source of goals, Stag fans seem to be pinning their hopes on Jon McAliskey. McAliskey was a youngster at Huddersfield who the Terriers thought could replace Jon Stead, they were wrong and in his career so far he has scored just 9 goals in 54 games, I know I certainly wouldn't want to pin my hopes on him.

In their two games against the Imps last season they seemed devoid of ideas. Despite winning the game at Sincil Bank, Mansfield were often on the back foot and took a lead through a very debateable penalty, their first chance of the game. Earlier in the season was a strange game as the Imps won 4-2 but the game could have easily ended with both sides getting into double figures.

In both of these games Mansfield's tactics were quite questionable, seemingly revolving around the long ball game and that is unlikely to change this season. It seems odd that they seemed to adopt these tactics in both games against the Imps, as both goals that they scored from open play came after some good footballing moves.

On the non-playing side of things new capacity restrictions have been handed to Mansfield as punishment for years of abuse towards away fans. It is not known if the new restrictions mean that the away capacity has to be decreased as well, but that could be very costly with so many local derbies for Mansfield this season.

Under normal circumstances the Stags could easily expect big crowds for the games against Chesterfield and Notts County, however the lack of income from not being able to sell out the ground could cost Mansfield financially as it could cost them bringing in the players that could potentially save them from relegation again.

With the squad they've got and the tactics they employ, not to mention all the negativity surrounding Mansfield because of the Chairman, it is hard to envisage a good season ahead for Mansfield Town. The highest I can see them finishing potentially is 20th, but the way things are looking that could be very unlikely.

Do you agree with this prediction, or are you a Mansfield fan who is convinced you will finish outside the relegation zone? Either way put your opinion the the message board section below.

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