From the evidence so far, Boulding looks more than able to fill the problem slot of left midfield, and he looks to have lost none of the pace which created problems for defenders at this level.
Shirtliff is also planning to make it a double Boulding swoop by taking on Micky's brother Rory, the Stags boss told the CHAD website today "I would also like to keep his younger brother, who is a centre forward.
"If we got Michael Boulding in then the only position not covered would be left back.
"I didn't have enough time to judge Paul Collins last night in all fairness to him. We need a game in which he will get more of a defensive test for me to be able to judge him properly."
On the game last night, Shirtliff was more than satisfied as he declared to mansfieldtoday.co.uk "I thought we played quite well, especially in the first half and it was a pleasing performance."
But the bottom line is that it was slightly false as not many teams in our league will play like Derby played.
"All credit to them, they passed the ball well and played some good football without really penetrating our box too many times.
"They kept the ball and made us work very hard.
"It was wonder goal that broke the ice - a great strike.
"But we bounced back quite well. It was a good work out and I was delighted for them.
"I wanted to give everyone an hour.
"I was pleased to see Chris Beardsley back. He is an enthusiastic boy and, although he still a bit away from full fitness, he is improving all the time.
"There were other good plusses for us, particularly down the right hand side where I thought John Mullins and Matt Hamshaw worked well together."
The Stags now take on NOTTS Forest this coming Saturday in what will be another stern test for the side, Forest as we all should know, once won the European Cup.