GARY Whild believes Mansfield will be under more pressure than Kidderminster Harriers to get off the mark when the two sides clash in the Blue Square Bet Premier on Saturday.

Harriers have suffered a disappointing start to the campaign after defeats to Lincoln City and Luton Town but Saturday’s visitors to Aggborough have had it even worse.

The Stags were the summer’s big spenders in the transfer window, raising expectations of a title push, but have endured a nightmare beginning after losing 4-3 to Newport and 4-1 to Gateshead.

Both teams will be aiming to move themselves away from the bottom of the table with an all-important win at the weekend (3pm ko).

However, assistant boss Whild is sure the pressure of expectation will be firmly placed on Saturday’s visitors.

He said: “I would say with the money Mansfield have spent the pressure is really more on them than us.

“Compared to ourselves they have spent a lot more and were expected to make a good start.

“It’s no secret Steve [Burr] and I want to push the club on after two great seasons.

“We feel we’ve strengthened the squad and the players are bedding in.

“It has been a disappointing start but the performance against Luton, particularly in the second half, was an improvement on the Lincoln game.

“We want to build on that but it’s too early in the season to get carried away.”

Defeat on Saturday would be Harriers’ worst start to the season since the 1999-00 campaign, when they lost the first three matches but then went onto win the Conference title and earn promotion to the Football League.

Harriers go into the game on the back of a four-game goal drought in the league, the longest in manager Steve Burr ’s tenure.

With Steve Guinan set to be out with an ankle injury and Jamille Matt unavailable, the manager is looking to bring in another forward to bolster Harriers’ striking options and support Ryan Rowe and Anthony Malbon.

Whild added: “Steve [Guinan] is a bit older and that means it does take while to get over injuries.

“He’s a fit lad and last season he didn’t really get too many knocks but we’re going to have to be patient.

“With him missing and Jamille not available to us at the moment, then we may look to bring someone in.

“We’re always looking to strength but the area of priority are the strikers.

“There’s nothing specific to report at the moment but phone calls are being made.

“It’s a difficult time of year, teams don’t want to let players go and players are still looking out for what’s best for them."