Manager Paul Holland believes Mansfield need to win at least half of their remaining eight matches to preserve their Football League status.Holland was appointed manager until the end of the season on Tuesday after a four-game spell as caretaker boss following Billy Dearden's departure earlier this month.

The Stags are seven points adrift of safety with a crucial home derby clash against the side directly above them, Notts County, on Saturday.

"I believe we need a minimum of 12 points from our last eight games to avoid relegation, so this is where our season starts," said Holland. "From the next three games we need to get a minimum of seven points. We are under no illusions it will be easy, but I have told the players it is now time to stand up and be counted. We have to start getting points on the board.

"I am confident I can keep the club up. I would not have put myself up to be shot at if I thought we had gone a bridge too far already.

"I am not stupid enough to say we are going to win all eight games we have left. But if you look at each game, you can make a case for us winning it if we are right and we prepare right."

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