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Cheltenham Town 1-0 Mansfield Town | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 22nd February 2020 | Jonny Rocks Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
As a football fan, the worst time of the season is the final game – but this season, I think you’d be very hard pushed to find a Stags fan who can’t wait for the full time whistle to blow and bring an end to this whimpering, deflating season. A 1-0 defeat to promotion pushing Cheltenham was to be expected really, BUT it shouldn’t be accepted as yet again Mansfield Town did what they do best – waste chance after chance and then get punished for sloppiness at the other end. The Stags have come a long way under Graham Coughlan and look a lot fitter and more dangerous going forward, which does excite me for next season because I’m convinced that all the foundations will be restructured – but what’s frustrating is wasting the here and now, because there’s no doubt in my mind we’d be battling for a play-off space now if we weren’t so dam poor at the back across the entirety of the squad. It’s alarming how cheaply we turn the ball over and that was highlighted beautifully by Cheltenham when they scored the games’ only goal – putting no real pressure on the Stags but pouncing with predatory instinct when they got in the final third, we’ve become far too easy to play and attack against really. I believe we will win games this season under Coughlan and will improve on our defensive errors and I think so long as we maintain a big enough gap between ourselves and Stevenage, I’m happy enough to let this season fizzle out and close the book – but for now until we are mathematically safe, the worry continues, the frustration bubbles – and the feeling of deflation hangs around like a bad smell. Match Recap Defender Joe Riley was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench, but couldn’t force a start as Graham Coughlan stuck, naturally, with the same starting eleven which beat Newport 1-0 last weekend Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Mansfield Town | Attendance 3,274 (381) STAGS: [3-4-1-2] Aidan Stone | Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Kelland Watts (Craig Davies 86) | Hayden White, Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson, CJ Hamilton | Harry Charsley (Mal Benning 71) | Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard Unused Substitutes: Bobby Olejnik, Joe Riley, Jack Evans, James Clarke, Jimmy Knowles *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
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Mansfield Town 1-0 Newport County [Danny Rose] | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 15th February 2020 | One Call Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
When Danny Rose dropped his shoulder and unleashed a shot with real venom, it was only a split second before leaving his boot and smashing the back of the net – but it felt like an eternity, a moment filled with hope that against the negativity of the storm, the Stags could battle through and come out the other end with a spring in their step. The goal proved to be the only one of the game but the Stags stood firm and defended well from front to back to protect the three points, moving thirteen points clear of Stevenage and providing some breathing space as things seemed to get continually worse. Questions had been asked about the player’s desire and urge to fight for each other and protect what they had, but I think we found a few answers yesterday thanks to a mini-master stroke from Graham Coughlan in handing a football league debut to shot stopper Aidan Stone. Stone had little to do but commanded his area and back line well, the players relished the challenge of protecting him and handing him his first ever football league clean sheet by throwing their bodies on the line and eradicating any sniff of repeated errors from set-play’s – with Newport winning a number and hurling the ball into the box time after time. The conditions again didn’t lend themselves to an easy afternoon’s football, with the pitch heavy and zippy – but I felt the Stags managed them well getting on the ball and moving it wide, trying to utilise the pace of Hamilton and White to feed Maynard and a very hungry Rose. Mansfield have been guilty of turning the ball over quickly and cheaply in recent weeks, and whilst it wasn’t as perfect and crisp as it could have been, the Stags sharpened up and put real pressure on in feeding on scraps in the final third – highlighted none more so than in Roses’ thunderous strike. Newport offered little in clear cut chances and that can’t be ignored, we can’t for a second think we’re fixed and the finished article because we are not. We must harness this winning feeling, this fight, this spirit or pulling together and pushing back against the storm trying to drag us down – replying with something very simple indeed, a win at Cheltenham next Saturday. Match Recap Following Tuesday nights defeat at Leyton Orient, Graham Coughlan shuffled the pack – handing a League Debut to young goalkeeper Aidan Stone, who replaced Oljenik as one of three changes. Elsewhere there was a return for Hayden White, replacing the injured Joe Riley, and Harry Charsley came in for Benning, with Hamilton moving across to the left hand side in a 3-4-1-2. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 1-0 Newport County | Attendance 3,653 (111) STAGS: [3-4-1-2] Aidan Stone | Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Kelland Watts | Hayden White, Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson, CJ Hamilton | Harry Charsley | Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard Unused Substitutes: Bobby Olejnik, Mal Benning, Matt Preston, Craig Davies, Jack Evans, James Clarke, Jimmy Knowles *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Leyton Orient 2-1 Mansfield Town [Kelland Watts] | Sky Bet League Two | Tuesday 11th February 2020 | Brisbane Road  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
The more this season drags on, the more unbearable it is becoming to watch as the Stags continue to make the same school boy errors which are consistently dropping them into the heart of the fire. Over the last four games, Mansfield have had a real opportunity to put distance between themselves and the drop but following last night’s 2-1 poor defeat at Leyton Orient, are starting to lose their grip and have made it anybody’s game. Two defeats and two draws against four of the sides around us is far from acceptable with the same mistakes and errors costing us – something needs to change quickly because whilst the gap between the Stags (21st) and Stevenage (24th) is ten points, the pendulum can swing very quickly and if we’re not careful – that gap WILL shorten. I can’t find too much fault with the performance last night, compared to the Oldham game (our last defeat, also midweek) the desire and effort had vastly improved – BUT, the simple approach to taking the game to Orient (as Coughlan emphasised pre-match) was poor, and ultimately cost us. Playing 3-4-3 is fine, that gives us the opportunity to get the ball down on the floor and play it in behind for CJ to attack and get at the hosts’ vulnerable defence who really struggled with the ball on the floor. The problem is, we did that about three times – resorting to clipping it over the top far too often, which the hosts lapped up as heading practise. I can’t imagine that to be the instruction from the management – if it was, then I’ll hold my hands up – praise the lads for doing as told, and then majorly question why on earth we continue to play high over the top when it doesn’t work and we haven’t got the players for it! Playing Rose on the right side of the three was pointless, he tried his hardest as ever and I can’t fault him for that, but genuinely he looked lost and awkward – we’d have been better playing him in the attacking midfield central role, acting as a buffer between the deep midfield pair of Bishop and Tomlinson and Maynard & Hamilton, who would have latched onto and (hopefully) put away low through balls. We’re all managers through from the stands, aren’t we?! All I know is I can see my team falling apart, making stupid errors week after week, mile after mile, dropping point after point – and its bloody well hurts. I don’t think it’s a management thing, it can’t be because look back at this time last year when it started to unravel and our dreams were shattered – same silly mistakes, and the same failure to keep it simple. It’s frustrating, it’s horrible to watch at times, and it’s even worse to sit here and try and write about without penning the same old words like a song stuck on a loop – but we have to hold our hands up and look at the next fixture, Newport at home, and hope for three points to lift our tired spirits once more. Match Recap One change yet again for Graham Coughlan, bringing in Hamilton for Charsley going with a flat 3-4-3 to try and get at Leyton Orient. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Leyton Orient 2-1 Mansfield Town | Attendance 3,587 (181) STAGS: [3-4-3] Bobby Olejnik | Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Kelland Watts | Joe Riley (James Clarke HT), Willem Tomlinson, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning (Harry Charlsey 88) | Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard, CJ Hamilton Unused Substitutes: Aidan Stone, Jimmy Knowles, Matt Preston, Jack Evans, Craig Davies *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Morecambe 1-1 Mansfield Town [Joe Riley] | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 8th February 2020 | Globe Arena  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
A trip to the seaside is sometimes what you need to re-galvanise the soul, but for Mansfield Town the fresh sea-air did nothing bar inflict the same old bitter feeling – as Graham Coughlan’s men toss away another chance of victory, like a youngster tosses away the 2ps you’ve been saving for a year – not even winning a novelty key ring on the addictive slot machines. The Stags’ behaviour and attitude this season is far from the frolicking fun and innocence of family holiday’s, more like the carelessness of a backpacker – with no idea where they’re going or care where they end up. The script is writing itself for the Stags – play OK first half, get into a lead by upping the ante and then switching off and conceding cheaply from a set play. Fortunately, Morecambe are as poor as we are so couldn’t take full advantage but better sides will and this absolute failure to beat the teams around us WILL catch up with us when we play, and inevitably get punished by, better teams. I can’t stomach looking at the league table right now, the gap is narrowing and we’re being pulled deeper and deeper and deeper into the mud with every game that goes by, every opportunity that we miss and every goal we concede. We keep talking about how we’ll be glad to see this season end and have a massive re-shuffle, and yes I will too – but that very much seems a dangerous game to play, giving up and just thinking we are safe and guaranteed a place in League Two next season – news flash, we’re not! There’s a lot of games to go and many twists and turns can happen so we must focus on the remaining games and back the boys to survive. Leyton Orient is a massive test on Tuesday, we’ve seen numerous times this season that the boys aren’t coping with quick turnarounds of games – we’re going to have to find that energy from somewhere and go and get a positive result, if that means big changes to the line-up so be it! We have to put results first and play our way too safety – the rest will take care of itself. Another sucker punch, another blow, another Sunday where it feels like a loss but it isn’t – let’s write it off and go again. Match Recap With Alex MacDonald injured it was just a case of shuffle along one place – Willem Tomlinson came into the starting line-up to replace MacDonald – new loanee Jack Evans took the vacancy on the bench. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Morecambe 1-1 Mansfield Town | Attendance 1,965 (337) STAGS: [3-4-1-2] Bobby Olejnik | Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Kelland Watts | Joe Riley (James Clarke 82), Willem Tomlinson, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley | Danny Rose (Craig Davies 90+2), Nicky Maynard (CJ Hamilton 76) Unused Substitutes: Aidan Stone, Jimmy Knowles, Matt Preston, Jack Evans *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Mansfield Town 2-2 Carlisle United [Nicky Maynard 2] | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 1st February 2020 | One Call Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
Mansfield Town have a habit of throwing things away this season, so whilst it came as no real shock that the lads once again let a two-goal lead slip in the last minute, conceding another needless free-kick – it still hurt. The conditions were really tough with a horrible wind sweeping across the pitch, I was really pleased and proud of the lads for being tight enough in the first half to go in at 0-0 having had little of the ball, the pride grew further with two well-taken goals from Nicky Maynard to put us into a commanding lead – but as always, pride becomes before a fall and here we are having dropped points once again, fearing that a bad result against Morecambe next Saturday coupled with good results around us for others could put us right in trouble. The match itself and the result reminds me of being a child, the excitement of putting in the work to get your brand-new kite to fly. You put all the effort and desire into getting it under control and taking flight beautifully, running through the bright green fields happy with the sunshine settling on your face – before arrogance and compliancy sink in, one big gust of wind loses your grip – and before you know it, the kite is ripped out of your hands and is thrown into a tree, ripping and tearing apart as the blue skies turn grey, the heavens open and you get p*** wet through, having lost everything within seconds. That feeling of disappointment and dejection sums up the mood right now – having come through a horrendous transfer deadline day with nothing bar the overwhelming feeling of worry sweeping over us. On deadline day itself, the Stags brought in loanee Jack Evans from Swansea right at the death – but saw Jacob Mellis (Contract terminated – joined Bolton), Otis Khan (Newport County, loan) and Andy Cook (Tranmere Rovers, loan – undisclosed fee) all depart – leaving the Stags with limited options in attack and looking threadbare in all areas. Mellis I totally get and wish him all the best, he has barley featured under Coughlan and given what happened back in the Summer months, a fresh start is good for him – Khan I also understand, having started just once for Coughlan – predominately being an unused substitute, but I would like to have kept hold of a clear creative player. Cook is a strange one, Coughlan wants to play with a high pacey press from the front and obviously that’s not Cook’s game which became clear in the new boss’ first three matches at the helm, in which Cook started. His impact from the bench however can’t be overlooked with two goals from the bench in the last three games – having scored seven all season, could we really afford to lose him? I get that he wants to play first team football as a regular starter, and Tranmere too is a huge draw for him considering his affinity with the club – I really wish him well, I think my disappointment comes in not replacing him (yet) as, from the bench or not, players like him make a huge difference in winning the fight. That said, and this is really important, it’s clear he wanted away – listen to the interview from Cook upon his return to Tranmere, quite simply we don’t need players sitting in that dressing room who have no desire to be there, because that will take us in one direction – down. Don’t believe me? Look at our league position! Genuinely, I’d much rather have a smaller squad and perhaps not even be able to fill the bench some weeks, filled with players who want to be here and succeed, than have a large pool of people who don’t give two hoots about progressing this club and are happy to pick up a pay check – once again, take a look at how our season went from this point last season!! We can still sign free agents I believe, and I genuinely think we may see one or two be added should the right player come knocking – some very good players who could really help us out of this mess are currently free – Coughlan is no fool, he’ll certainly be working hard to make sure that if our options become properly threadbare, gaps will be filled. The same old mistakes cost us, we dust ourselves down and go again – we need six points from the next two games. I never really saw the appeal of flying a kite anyway Match Recap After a hectic transfer deadline day which left the Stags with fewer options, Coughlan made just one change from Tuesday’s match, Neal Bishop back in for CJ Hamilton as the Stags switched to a 3-4-1-2, new loan signing Jack Evans wasn’t in the squad – but no doubt will be next week as the Stags head to Morecambe. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 2-2 Carlisle United | Attendance 4,272 (368) STAGS: [3-4-1-2] Bobby Olejnik | Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Kelland Watts | Joe Riley, Alex MacDonald (Willem Tomlinson 20), Neal Bishop, CJ Hamilton | Harry Charsley (CJ Hamilton 77) | Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard (Matt Preston 88) Unused Substitutes: Aidan Stone, Craig Davies, Jimmy Knowles, James Clarke *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* |
