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Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 23rd January 2021 – Roots Hall [Behind Closed Doors]  As Jamie Reid’s second half strike nestled into the back of the net, a question started to form in my mind – is what once seemed impossible and laughable, now achievable? Whatever happens, I’m just enjoying each and every game, watching this fascinating story unfold.
Nigel Clough has really got us playing and more importantly, believing! Under Coughlan, game by game the life and soul of the team was being drained away – and as game by game passes now, months on, you have to stand up and applaud the decision of the Radfords and David Sharp to remove Coughlan from post – I dread to think what the typical months grace would have done to us. Sky Bet League Two is very open this season and still has twists left in the tale, for us like Clough says, lets just keep putting distance between ourselves and those below and see what happens – let’s be honest here, after the way we started the campaign and the situation we were in, anything is a brilliant achievement after that. I still think we need to add one or two players with the same going out to strengthen us because there are certain areas in which we lack, I wouldn’t say that our current form is hiding that as five wins on the spin is no fluke – but there have been moments in games where we’ve had the rub of the green a little. It’s not just results that Clough has transformed, the form of Jordan Bowery has rocketed and Jamie Reid’s confidence has been growing – with two goals in as many games hopefully that will continue. Clough has also shown loyalty and tried to keep a settled side but also given the chance to players who’ve waited there turn – take Aidan Stone for example, he came in against Oldham and made an error, but made up for it in the game, was he dropped like many other managers would have done? No, he was given the chance again – kept a clean sheet and despite having little to do, was there when called upon. Bolton up next at the One Call Stadium – Bring on Tuesday! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Aidan Stone | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney ©, Stephen McLaughlin (Mal Benning 90+2) |Stephen Quinn (Andy Cook 77) George Maris, George Lapslie | Harry Charsley, Jamie Reid, Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Marek Stech, Corey O’Keeffe, Jason Law, James Perch, Nicky Maynard
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Sky Bet League Two | Wednesday 13th January 2021 – Boundry Park [Behind Closed Doors]  It’s long been said that there’s an easy way, a hard way and a Mansfield Town way – well as the Stags make it four league wins on the spin and make up for Sunday’s FA Cup exit – they certainly stuck with that, in an eventful 3-2 victory at Oldham.
There’s been a lot of talk about a chase for the play-offs as with victory last night we moved to just five points behind Crawley in 7th, however they and all the teams above us have a game in hand, some two games, on us. The same too can be said for below us as with last night’s win, there’s now a nine point buffer between us and the drop – BUT, with the exception of Grimsby and Port Vale, all teams below us also have games in hand, some two games. My point is not to be negative or pessimistic, but to be realistic – this league this season is so tight, a swing of results (like we’re currently seeing) can send huge waves crashing through the table. I’m loving the run we’re on and the potential we have, and I’m not saying the unthinkable can’t happen – I’m saying that we know how poor we have been and what effect that has, keep building that buffer and what will be will be this term, nothing yet – is set in Stone. A prime time to talk about him, Aidan Stone that is – one of three changes last night. They’ll be a few who criticise the young keeper for his early error to put Oldham 1-0 up, but actually he deserves huge credit for the role he played in the win – making two key saves at 1-0 when Oldham we’re edging the game, and then again when we were 3-2 up and on the ropes. The changes were a masterstroke from Clough with all three having a big impact on the game. Stone as I mentioned was key when called upon as the game progressed, Kellan Gordon was under pressure after how Perch and O’Keeffe performed in his absence but came back in and gave us real flare down the right hand side, delivery a number of key crosses – whilst Cook, well he was just Cook – strong and articulate in stretching the Oldham back line in open play, and forceful in the air from set plays. Two quick examples, he wins the initial header for Sweeney’s goal – and then for Reid’s much deserved goal, takes two defenders out of the central positions and creates space for Reid to pounce. The 4-3-3 system real suits him and gets the best out of the supporting midfield. We still missed Ollie Clarke and James Perch and we’re nowhere near the finished article – I still maintain that we need three more faces to supplement us and help us push on, these are likely to be loans with Clough saying after the match he’s waiting to hear back on one or two enquiries. Carlisle, the league leaders, at home on Saturday – not an easy game but certainly winnable, for me – I’d take a draw and to keep this momentum going! A gritty win last night which could, and should, have been a little more comfortable than it was – but what really matters, is the points – job done, onto the next one. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Aidan Stone | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney ©, Stephen McLAughlin | Harry Charsley, George Maris, George Lapslie | Jamie Reid, Andy Cook (Nicky Maynard 90), Jordan Bowery (Mal Benning 80) Unused Subs: Marek Stech, Rollin Menayese, Aaron O’Driscoll, Corey O’Keeffe, Jason Law FA Cup Third Round | Sunday 10th January 2021 – Jonny Rocks Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  Losing a game is never a nice feeling, however defeat in Extra Time against fellow League Two side Cheltenham doesn’t leave me too disappointed as we exit this seasons FA Cup – so long as Clough and the boys are focussed on our exit strategy – maintaining our brilliant league form and adding to the depth of our ranks.
If the situation yesterday highlighted anything, it’s that Mansfield Town really lack quality in depth and that failure to address that, will see our brilliant form come undone. In particular, the Stags need to strengthen in the middle of the park as with skipper Ollie Clarke out with a knee problem, our usually pressing game wasn’t there and it felt less like having an engine, and more like pushing a car off of the top of hill letting gravity do all the work until further inspection shows the car had nothing under the bonnet. James Perch was also out through illness, unknown at this stage if it’s Covid like Tyrese Sinclair who is currently self-isolation following a positive test, and we missed his [Perch] experience across the pitch and in truth – rode our luck on a number of occasions. Along with long-term absentee Joe Riley, Clough was also without Kellan Gordon & Nicky Maynard (injury) and due to cup tied youngsters, could only name five of a possible nine substitutes. This coupled with Cheltenham not having played for the best part of two weeks and our heavy load of home games, highlighted a tough afternoon, especially with extra time which is why I hope we recover well ahead of Wednesday, another tough game away at Oldham. Cheltenham were fresh and hungry – we had some hunger too and played really well considering, but Cheltenham are a very good team and played to their strengths well, pouncing on an error to equalise in the second half, before that weapon of a long throw ultimately paid off in extra time. We had some good chances and maybe on another day with one or two of the missing players involved, may well have held onto our lead and progressed – but realistically, Mansfield Town are not going to win the FA Cup so thanks for the money earned £113,500 – lets focus on the league now! Nigel Clough hinted that we could see new faces in before Wednesday’s trip to Oldham, plus we could be boosted by the return of Gordon, Maynard and Clarke – possibly Perch too depending on the illness and the inevitable test he’ll have to take, either way – we can’t dwell on the cup loss, we must just focus on extending the buffer between ourselves and Grimsby, currently second bottom. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Corey O’Keeffe, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney ©, Mal Benning (James Clarke 115), | Harry Charsley, George Maris (Aaron O’Driscoll 108), Stephen McLaughlin (Andy Cook 79) | George Lapslie, Jamie Reid, Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Rollin Menayese Sky Bet League Two | Tuesday 5th January 2021 – One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  Back in October, watching Mansfield Town was like living in a nightmare – but as we enter the new year, with our new manager firmly settled in, nightmares have turned to dreams with vastly improved performances and results – the latest a 2-1 win over play-off chasing Salford City at the One Call Stadium last night.
Backed by the riches of the class of 92 boys, Salford expect promotion every season and coming to a side who’d only won once at home prior to last night in the league – would have expected to tale home all three points. Mansfield Town had other ideas. The Stags’ had a game in hand over second bottom Grimsby and really needed to put a bigger buffer between themselves and the Mariners – and after starting the weekends victory over Port Vale with a goal inside a minute, showed the same hunger and desire to put Salford under immense pressure from kick-off. Mansfield’s first half pressing game was nothing short of phenomenal, Salford were stretched, panicked and forced into errors which the Stags thrived upon – I’d love to see or hear the stat on the amount of times our players intercepted possession in the Salford half, and then as a result, how many chances were created. George Lapslie netted a brilliant goal to open the scoring before the inform Jordan Bowery pounced for the second goal – forcing Salford into a change in personnel and shape at the break, which is another testament to the way the Stags set up and played – for once we dictate how the game goes, not the opposition. Salford’s change in shape pushed the Stags back a little but Nigel Clough’s men defended resolutely and kept finding new openings, and in truth were unlucky not to have been comfortably out of sight. Tired legs maybe played a part in the visitors netting a scrappy late goal and making the last two minutes nervy, but ultimately Salford deserved nothing from the game and got just that – the victory lifting the Stags upto the dizzy heights of 15th – nosebleed territory. The form guide makes for very eye opening viewing, had the league started 12 games ago – (11 league games under Clough, one under the caretakership of Richard Cooper) Mansfield would be THIRD! However tempting it is to start dreaming, wishing, hoping etc – focus is needed on one word: FACT. The season did not start 12 games ago, it started 22 games ago and those extra ten games have killed us and put us into a battle at the wrong end of the table. It’s very easy now to start looking up and ahead – but do that too much, you’ll miss that massive pot hole, trip and fall. The single most important thing about victory last night is the fact we’ve put a six point gap between ourselves and the drop zone – huge as several teams around us have games in hand on us, some two – which could make a big difference. Our focus now shifts to the FA Cup, a very winnable game against fellow League Two side Cheltenham Town. Let’s get through, hopefully in normal time, and net ourselves some must needed income, which can then in turn can be drip fed to the transfer budget for Clough to strengthen. The winning feeling is a beautiful one – long may it continue! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | James Perch, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley, Ollie Clarke ©, George Maris | George Lapslie, Jamie Reid, Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Corey O’Keeffe, Rollin Menayese, Andy Cook, Aaron O’Driscoll, Stephen McLaughlin, Tyrese Sinclair Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 2nd January 2021 – One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  When the clock strikes midnight and the bells of big ben chime to signal a new year, for many a subconscious part of the mind takes control and motivates positive changes into your life. Mansfield Towns New Year’s resolution was to start winning at home – and boy did they do that in style.
Port Vale had won once in their previous nine league matches before yesterday’s match but despite their poor form nothing was a given and the Stags needed to start taking control of their own destiny and show teams who visit the One Call Stadium that visiting brought no guarantees. You have to give credit to the Stags’ hunger and desire to start well, taking the lead inside the opening minute as skipper Ollie Clarke grabbed his first goal for the club. From then on, Mansfield controlled the majority of the game and looked very comfortable throughout the first half – going into the break 2-0 up thanks to Jordan Bowery’s well struck effort on 32 minutes. Nigel Clough’s side were playing some very fluid football and the only danger in my mind of losing the game from the second goal onwards, was the weather as snow covered the One Call Stadium pitch during the break. Port Vale going down to ten men disrupted the Stags’ flow a little and they had Marek Stech to thank for keeping out Tom Pope, but that wake up call was all Mansfield needed to press on and ensure victory with Bowery adding two more and sealing his first ever hat-trick. Bowery has particularly impressed under Clough who has instilled confidence into the experienced front man – his all round play has been a massive contributing factor to the Stags form – who had the season started when Clough took charge, would be sixth in the league two table. It’s important to remember that one brick doesn’t build a house and as such yesterday’s victory won’t solve the Stags’ problems – but it’s a huge boost for the boys who, thanks to postponements elsewhere, used the match as their game in hand over a few teams around them – the same will apply again on Tuesday with the re-arranged game with Salford. Fresh faces are still needed and I believe they will be added in due course as a busy January continues to unfold – for now though let’s enjoy the winning feeling and make the resolution to stay focussed, take things game by game and focus on still being a Football League club at the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | James Perch, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning (Stephen McLaughlin 81) | Harry Charsley (Aaron O’Driscoll 83), Ollie Clarke © (Corey O’Keeffe 83), George Maris | George Lapslie, Jamie Reid (Andy Cook 81), Jordan Bowery (Tyrese Sinclair 83) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Rollin Menayese |
