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Swindon Town 1-0 Mansfield Town | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 23rd November 2019 | The County Ground, Swindon  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
In the style of John Anderson from ITV Cult hit Gladiators – “Tin Hat, Reeeeeeeeaaaaaddddyyyy” – Social Media is awash with ‘Dempster Out’ comments and negativity, but for me yesterday at Swindon, despite a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the league leaders – I’m pleased with the performance and approach to the match. I understand the frustration and negativity, I’ve been over it so many times I feel like Enid Blyton churning out hit after hit – the bigger picture says it’s another defeat to add to the mixing bowl of disappointment and we are now moving dangerously close to a battle at the wrong end of the table, but in isolation – yesterday was the best we’ve played in weeks and both the manager and players did everything, bar bring home the goods. Dempster was criticised for setting up defensively against Macclesfield and despite defending his team selection in his midweek press, rang the changes and set up with an attacking flair, which included young midfielder Alistair Smith who played really well in the middle of the park. The substitutions have also been criticised throughout the campaign, and yet Dempster made all three changes, all attack minded, to try and get something out of the game – whilst the staff went to great lengths to kill the comments from fans about the warm-ups, staging a coaching drill during half-time – you can’t blame those factors! On the pitch the boys once they found their feet played really well with a good energy and a good intensity about them, creating a number of chances which just wouldn’t drop. The ONLY blip happens to be when we conceded the goal, not being brave enough to turn, face and press higher up – giving Swindon time to counter, but that is really nit-picking – you’d expect a promotion challenging side to do that anyway – remember, we did it last season! Sorry, cheap dig! The football and intensity we played IS good enough to get us to climb up the league ladder, however I fear we may have taken the wrong exit somewhere and perhaps now are beyond the point of no return in regards to the negativity around the team – I’ve never been so embarrassed by a small minority of our “support” yesterday, chanting “Dempster Out” during the match, no matter your opinion, there’s a time and place! Five wins, Six Draws and Eight defeats from our league season so far – I personally don’t believe that’s good enough for promotion but like I’ve said previously, it boils down to the whole perception thing of what we’re expected to achieve this season. Two cup games follow now which isn’t ideal really as we need to kick on in the league – questions will indeed be asked over how much longer Dempster gets in the hot seat, especially if you consider time for recruitment followed by time to assess and a transfer window – but, like a roundabout, I’ll go back to the start – I’m happy with the performance and application yesterday against a very good side, now – I’m out of here before you lot smash me over the head with a giant foam ear bud! Threeee…. Twwoooo…. Oneeee…. Match Recap Mal Benning was one of three to miss out, with the Stags’ knight of the relm suspended following five bookings – CJ Hamilton replaced him at wing-back with Mellis and Smith brought into the midfield, MacDonald and Tomlinson missed out. Click HERE to read the clubs match report FULL TIME: Swindon Town 1-0 Mansfield Town | Attendance 6,741 (215) STAGS: [3-5-2] Conrad Logan | Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney | Kellan Gordon (Otis Khan 82), Jacob Mellis (Jimmy Knowles 90), Alistair Smith, Conor Shaughnessy (Omari Sterling-James 77), CJ Hamilton | Nicky Maynard, Andy Cook Unused Subs: Bobby Oljenik, Alex MacDonald, Willem Tomlinson, James Clarke *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Macclesfield Town 0-0 Mansfield Town | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 16th November 2019 | Moss Rose, Macclesfield  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
There are some away games I fear driving too as I have this recurring nightmare of breaking down in the middle of nowhere without a phone signal to call for help, lost in the mist. That nightmare scenario seems to be the best way to describe the Stags at the moment, following another lacklustre display against struggling Macclesfield. A point and a clean-sheet in any game is a positive so I don’t want to overlook that, you can throw in the conditions and the scenario regarding the Silkmen this week regarding training strikes etc and them wanting to fight for the cause – but ultimately the minimum we should have come away with yesterday is three points. I’ve said it tome and time again about supporting the manager and the players and about it being a different season to last, meaning we should change our perception slightly – but that doesn’t stop yesterday being another in a long line of below par, unacceptable performances, from this Mansfield Town squad who, REGARDLESS of what’s come before, are capable of so much more. Anyone who didn’t know the scenario yesterday would have said it was the Stags who hadn’t been paid or hadn’t trained, because they lacked zest and flair and it felt in general so negative in both set up and approach – highlighted by the fact we didn’t win a single corner. Setting up with three central defenders and three defensive midfielders left us with very little attacking options, and yet there were some on the bench who deserve the chance to liven up this stuttering, sluggish season – and even some not even in the match day squad, whose inclusion would have given us options for a better shape, such as James Clarke who had a fantastic game on Tuesday against Burton Albion. Off of the pitch I feel for Macclesfield and the predicament they find themselves in, but on it Mansfield Town have to be ruthless if they want to show they have any desire or ambition to achieve something this season, because I for one am not relishing spending countless amounts of money trekking around the country on the hunt for League Two consolidation – especially when the aim from the board, is promotion. You could argue that the league table is so tight that a few wins would light the fire to shoot us up into the mixing bowl, but hand on heart I can’t say I’ve seen anything this season which suggests this squad have it in them to compete CONSISTENTLY week in week out, we’re back average, lost in the mist. I’m not going to get drawn into the manager in or out debate just yet, and whilst I’m against looking back and comparing last season to this, at this point with a squad David Flitcroft had spent the same amount of time with (I ALWAYS discount his first twelve games post Evans as a poisoned chalice for anyone) – from fourteen games, we’d won seven, drawn seven and we’re the sternest defence in the league heading in the right direction. A year on, a new manager, a new(ish) squad and we’re lost in the mist – what’s changed and what needs to change in order to reach the ambitions and targets outlined by the board? We have a fantastic squad; we just need to find that spark AGAIN to play a more attacking brand of football using our flare players to get us going. The most frustrating thing of all is we ALL know it’s there, but there’s just something about us right now which isn’t pretty and simply isn’t working. Macclesfield deserve credit for their attitude and approach to the game, they are a tough side and for the way we are right now, it was a very tough game to get anything out of, which I don’t have a problem with… IF that’s all we are, a mid-table side spending a season consolidating and rebuilding. BUT, we ALL know that’s not the aim and it’s not the target – hence why our disappointment, our frustration grows week in week out when all our performances and approach does is suggests otherwise. Who are we? What are we aiming to achieve? And, are we good enough to achieve it right now? It’s time to start answering some questions and find our way back to civilisation. Quickly Match Recap Captain Krystian Pearce was brought back into the starting XI which saw a change in shape to a 3-5-2, midfielder Neal Bishop missed out as did attacking midfielder Otis Khan forcing the shape change. I’ve absolutely no desire to waste time going over that game again, and to be honest I’m sure you haven’t either. If, however, you’ve stumbled upon this years down the line and want to find out what happened or are genuinely wanting to read a report of the match – may I point you in the general direction of the official club report HERE, thank you kindly. FULL TIME: Macclesfield Town 0-0 Mansfield Town | Attendance 2,055 STAGS: [3-5-2] Conrad Logan | Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney | Kellan Gordon, Willem Tomlinson (Jacob Mellis 63), Alex MacDonald, Conor Shaughnessy, Mal Benning | Nicky Maynard (CJ Hamilton 80), Andy Cook (Danny Rose 75 TAKEN OFF INJURED 83) Unused Subs: Bobby Oljenik, Alistair Smith, Dapo Afolayan, Omari Sterling-James *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Burton Albion 1-2 Mansfield Town (Rose, Sweeney) | Leasing.com EFL Trophy NORTH Group E Game 3 of 3 | Tuesday 12th November 2019 | Pirelli Stadium, Burton  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
After a frustrating and slow FA Cup tie against Chorley, very few gave Mansfield hope of beating League One Burton Albion to progress to the next stage of this seasons leasing.com Trophy – but doubters were silenced with a professional and determined display, as the Stags squeezed through, finishing as group runners up. Mansfield had gone unbeaten against Crewe and Everton U21s in the groups other games but defeats on penalties had left them needing to win in 90 minutes in order to progress – goals from Danny Rose and Ryan Sweeney put Dempster’s men in the draw, meaning in the next round, they’ll face an away trip to any of the northern group winners, with the exception of Everton, who are in the same group as the Stags. The Stags played good football and after a shaky opening ten minutes, were the better team facing a strong Burton side. I’d certainly say it gives John Dempster some options ahead of Saturday to try and re-invigorate the Stags’ league form against struggling Macclesfield – non more so than down the right hand side with James Clarke having a tremendous game at right back. Clarke, who was brought in during the summer to develop in the Under 21s, has played a handful of games this season and has always looked class – he was excellent all round and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if he had a chance to play on Saturday, pushing Kellan Gordon into his more natural right wing role, should Dempster revert back to 4-4-2 Alistair Smith had a solid game in the middle of the park too, his ball for Roses’ opener was fantastic, he really needs some game time to develop further and will be an excellent addition in an area where I feel we’re weakest at the minute. The good thing was to see the Stags playing with some fluidity and creativity, defending well putting bodies on the line to keep a firm grip on the game which is something we’ve lacked of late, let’s use this as a spring board and see what the future brings – well done boys Match Recap John Dempster named a strong side needing a win to progress into the next round but did make a multitude of changes, with only Matt Preston, who took the captains armband, Ryan Sweeney and Willem Tomlinson remaining in the starting line-up from Saturday’s FA Cup victory. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Burton Albion 1-2 Mansfield Town | Attendance 485 STAGS: [3-5-2] Bobby Oljenik | Matt Preston ©, Conor Shaughnessy, Ryan Sweeney | James Clarke, Alistair Smith, Willem Tomlinson, Jacob Mellis (Dapo Afoyalan 67), CJ Hamilton | Omari Sterling-James (Alex MacDonald 89), Danny Rose (Jordan Graham 61) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Andy Cook, Kellan Gordon, Mal Benning Written by | Craig Priest *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Mansfield Town 1-0 Chorley (Nicky Maynard) | FA Cup First Round | Saturday 9th November 2019 | One Call Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
I remember as a youngster really loving the FA Cup and its magic, I think the first real time it got under my skin was the season we ended up playing Newcastle in round three. Since we’ve had even more great cup adventures, non-more-so than the season we played Liverpool at home – every cup run had its highs and lows, and despite a 1-0 win over Chorley potentially being the start of another great cup experience, I can’t help but think it’s another chapter in our frustrating story of the 2019/20 campaign. I also used to be fancied by magic tricks, I’ve this memory of my uncle pulling biscuits or money from my ears – but a few years ago, I worked with a “magician” (I use the term lightly) who tried to perform some tricks, but got it badly wrong and basically ruined the elusion – ever since I think I’ve become a cynic and after yesterday’s lacklustre victory, my cynical nature has infected my love for the cup. Before I go on, it’s important to say that ultimately all that matters is the fact the Stags got the job done and progressed to round two – but for me, Mansfield Town looked well below par and far from the team we expect, and in fairness know, is locked deep within that dressing room. Not for a second was I expecting Mansfield to come out and put three or four past Chorley who despite winning just two games all season, are actually a hard team to break down – but what I was expecting was a little more effort, care and desire to go out and win a game of football. There’s being cautious and patient in approach play and then there’s how Mansfield played in the first half basically! Chorley didn’t really make it hard for us, that’s no disrespect to them by the way – they simply didn’t need to, we made it hard for ourselves by being so negative with the ball, you could see certain players asking questions of each other – I actually felt sorry for John Dempster because he could do little about it. Naturally he’ll take the blame for the continued negative home form along with his staff, but the players need to stand up and be counted too – I’m again reading lots of comments about a change in the dugout, but cynical me is starting to wonder if the change needs to be there, or out on the pitch because it’s the players who are struggling to understand the basics of how to effectively play – the same players who had the same issue in the final 4/6 games of last season, when promotion was thrown away. I was sent a screenshot of what Neal Bishop wrote on Facebook after the game about being booed after winning, I agree with him to be fair – a snippet reads “People need to let the disappointment of last season go, we messed up, we didn't get promoted, we're truly sorry, but the negativity and toxic atmosphere that currently surrounds our club, at home games, is not going to turn back time. I would say stop scapegoating people and get behind the boys, because the truth is the lads prefer playing away from home at the minute, and that should never be the case.” I’d say that 95% of the anger and disappointment from supporters comes from being so close to success last season, but that was then and this is now. We have a new manager DEAL WITH IT with a new way of thinking, if anything this is a season which should have been heighted as one of transition and rebuilding, but for one reason or another, expectation and ambition has put Dempster and the squad in a vice of pressure to go one better and claim automatic promotion. I back John Dempster to succeed, I haven’t booed once and whilst I may be frustrated at the below par football being played, will not become a boo boy. Deep down after his appointment, I sort of resigned myself to at least another season in League Two after this one to allow wounds to heal and a changes to really have an impact – I truly hope I’m wrong and it clicks, like it did for Paul Cox in his second season, after January and we achieve promotion. Yesterday was below par from the players, you can’t hide away from that – BUT, it is also yesterday, in the past with no way of changing the outcome – a bit like last season really. We got the goal we needed to squeeze us into round two and now we move onto Burton, which will no doubt see those needing minutes get game time, followed by two away games in the League, let’s go out and win them both and come into December with a more positive heart of hope. The season of goodwill and cheer is around the corner; in more than one way I hope! Let’s act that woeful magician I once met, and show we’ve got plenty of tricks up our sleeves! MATCH RECAP Captain Pearce missed out through injury once again meaning Mal Benning took the armband once again, Conor Shaughnessy missed out – having not been given permission to become cup tied by parent club Leeds United, Willem Tomlinson took his place in the only change – Danny Rose returned to the bench. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 1-0 Chorley STAGS: [4-3-1-2] Conrad Logan | Kellan Gordon, Matt Preston, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning © | Alex MacDonald (CJ Hamilton 64), Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson (Jacob Mellis 78) |Otis Khan | Nicky Maynard, Andy Cook (Danny Rose 72) Unused Subs: Bobby Oljenik, Alistair Smith, Omari Sterling-James, Jimmy Knowles *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Mansfield Town 2-3 Colchester United (Ryan Sweeney, Omari Sterling-James) | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 2nd November 2019 | One Call Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Another Sunday morning and we’re picking up the pieces after another defeat on home soil, is anyone else getting a little bit sick of watching the visitors celebrate over and over again, after Mansfield Town’s simple errors gift them three points? Colchester are a good side and I completely agree with the post-match comments saying they’ll be up there, but excuse me for looking back for a second, but aren’t we supposed to be up there too? Curious ranting comments aside, yet again we didn’t play too badly and I’ve actually got no complaint in conceding the third goal as naturally we were exposed because we were, rightly, chasing the game rather than sitting back and accepting our fate – at least we had the heart to chase at least a point, proven when Omari netted to make it 3-2, or as some bemoaned – too little too late. I spoke weeks ago that as a collective we needed to find an identity and certainly have done successfully away from home, perhaps we need to be a little bolder and say this is our system on the road, and this (differently) is how we are going to set up when we’re at home, there’s more than one way to win a game of football. Fortunately, we have a break from league action now with Chorley in the FA Cup followed by the traditional run-out for those who need it in the EFL Trophy at Burton, two games for me that we need to be winning to regain a bit of a buzz and zip about us. Chorley is a huge test considering our home form, we have to be ruthless and far tighter than we have been. We are consistently under performing at home, IF we get that right we’ll be ok but there must be a timer ticking away to reach a point where changes need to be considered – no matter what form they come in. I firmly believe in John Dempster to improve our form and start to climb the table, but the squad need to start taking some responsibility again, because home is supposed to be a happy place and right now, it doesn’t quite feel it. match recapBirthday boy Sir Mal Benning took the captains armband in the absence of the injured Pearce, Matt Preston took his place in the line-up in the only change from last weekend’s victory at Walsall.
The Stags had the best chance to open the scoring on four minutes as Andy Cook’s dominant header from Gordon’s cross was expertly saved by Gerken in the visitors’ goal, but four minutes later the Stags were left deflated as an unreal strike from Comley fizzed into the top corner to give Colchester the lead. On the half hour Conrad Logan made a top draw save to keeper out Harriott’s effort, tipping the ball around the post before on 43 minutes it was the Colchester keeper producing the saves, denying Maynard’s powerful effort. It looked like Mansfield would be a goal down at the break, but a good phase of football right before the whistle led to a corner – Ryan Sweeney did the rest, arriving at the back post to turn home his first goal of the season. Mansfield, despite the goal, would soon be feeling the pressure after the restart as just two minutes in, Captain Mal gave a soft spot-kick away to give Nouble the chance to give the visitors the lead – fortunately, Conrad Logan had other ideas and guessed correctly to deny the U’s man with a sublime bit of goalkeeping. The Stags then had their own calls for a penalty turned away as Cook was shoved to ground by Prosser on 57 minutes, six minutes later the Stags were flabbergasted once more as a delightful ball from Maynard picked out Cook at the far post, somehow the visitors denied the inform striker to keep the score 1-1. In a frantic U-turn a minute later Logan was again the hero to keep out Harriott once more, tipping the ball onto the post as Colchester broke free – on 75 minutes Logan could do nothing, as Senior prodded the visitors back into the driving seat. Jacob Mellis returned from a lay-off alongside Hamilton to replace the booked Bishop and lively Khan, in a bid to get the Stags back level – ultimately as Mansfield threw bodies forward Colchester nabbed another on 87 minutes as Gambin made it 3-1. From the restart, substitute Omari Sterling-James made it 3-2 converting Hamilton’s driven cross but it proved too little too late, as the full time whistle followed – another home defeat. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 2-3 Colchester United | Attendance 4,125 (212) STAGS: [4-3-1-2] Conrad Logan | Kellan Gordon, Matt Preston, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning © | Alex MacDonald (Omari Sterling-James 84), Neal Bishop (Jacob Mellis 78), Conor Shaughnessy |Otis Khan (CJ Hamilton 78) | Nicky Maynard, Andy Cook Unused Subs: Bobby Oljenik, Alistair Smith, Willem Tomlinson, Jimmy Knowles Written by | Craig Priest *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* |
