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FA Cup, Second Round | The One Call Stadium – Sunday 29th November 2020  “Did that actually happen?” – That’s the question I kept asking myself after two minutes of pure BAFTA worthy drama unfolded at the One Call Stadium, as deep into extra time – Mansfield Town edged past Dagenham & Redbridge, to book a place in the third round of the FA Cup.
Nicky Maynard’s goal was dramatic enough, but the build-up too it made it a moment of pure magic. With the game heading to a penalty shootout, not Mansfield’s favoured method of winning having not won one since 2012/13 – Nigel Clough opted to swap keepers, as Aidan Stone was seen warming up in the stands. For a few minutes we all thought it was mind games, but no, as the ball went out for a throw – Stech raced off to be replaced by the young shot stopper. Fair enough, Nigel Clough did admit that Stone was the better penalty specialist during practise – Stone though, had other ideas. He got his first touch as Benning restarted play with a throw in to the shot stopper – a long ball forward was flicked on by Bowery, but headed away. Ollie Clarke won the second ball, fed Reid who in turn played in a lovely reverse to the advancing Bowery – his shot deflected away and somehow, Maynard tucked it home! Absolute scenes in my living room – mainly laughter! Away from the madness though, credit must go to Dagenham for defending sternly to take the game to extra time, but also to how Mansfield have changed their resolve – we didn’t crumble, we didn’t give up, we played some good stuff and when it mattered, found the goal. We all know that we need some more fire power in the January window, it’s been obvious for a while – but taking the positive out of it, again we played some very good football and created some good opportunities, on another day, Dagenham get spanked there. Playing 120 minutes will have been far from ideal, especially as we head to third placed Cambridge on Wednesday, reverted to a 7.45pm kick-off with the return of home fans – but let’s use the win as momentum, the togetherness as momentum and see if we can repeat what actually, has been a pretty good month. Round three awaits, but first we focus on the league – safe in the knowledge that if we’re drawing in the 90th minute, we can bring on Aidan Stone! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech (Aidan Stone 120+1) | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley (Nicky Maynard 115), George Lapslie, Ollie Clarke ©, Stephen McLaughlin (George Maris 57) | Andy Cook (Jamie Reid 76), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Tyrese Sinclair, Aaron O’Driscoll, Corey O’Keeffe
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Sky Bet League Two | The One Call Stadium – Tuesday 24th November 2020  Other than defeat, one of the worst feelings in the world is that first morning back at work after a prolonged break – a holiday somewhere hot for example, where the sea breeze lightly brushes your face, the drinks are perfectly ice-cold and the laughter is plenty. Pure Bliss – well Mansfield Town’s refreshed break is now over following defeat at home to Harrogate and now one of two things can happen.
We can either drag ourselves out of the metaphorical bed and spend the next three weeks grumpy and moaning, desperate to get back to the “Happy Place” – OR, use that desire to work that extra bit harder, earn extra rewards and get back to pure bliss city quicker. Under the former manager, we’d have done the former – take a look at our league position for proof, but under Nigel Clough, I do feel like we can step off the plane with a bounce and start to soar again before we know it. The 1-0 defeat left us all feeling deflated naturally, especially as we now sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference – but let’s be honest, an average Harrogate side played their game very well, took a lead in what at the time was a balanced game – and then defended well enough to take home all the points. Fair play to them. I don’t wish to be critical at all, my only feeling is that we lacked freshness – our performance after 15-20 minutes was lethargic and if I’m honest, I was a little miffed at the unchanged starting line-up, BUT to be balanced – the players had been performing well and didn’t really deserve to be taken out for the sake of it. In the last two games, being back at home, we’ve changed shape slightly going with a flat four in midfield rather than a diamond – for me we become less expressive with that and we lose the talents of the likes of Lapslie and Charsley, plus because we’re not stretching the game as much – other areas of the pitch become exposed and that really showed last night especially at the back. What was pleasing is that we did respond late on in the second half but we still had that weight of reluctance about us and tried far too often to walk in the ball in, we had one shot on target which says it all – we need to be hungry and expressive, not timid and shy – especially at home. Essentially on Sunday we have a “free shot” at tinkering as we face Daggenham in the FA Cup. I say “free shot” purely because should we lose, it doesn’t do us any harm in terms of long term LEAGUE projections – yes I’d love a good cup run, but right now given how far we’ve fallen and the mess Nigel Clough has to try and sort out, the League is the only priority. I would 100% expect a handful of changes – a statement to players, here’s a shirt, here’s a start, here’s a future at this club – go out there and prove to me you deserve it by doing the simple things right and winning a game of football – fail to do so, well January is around the corner, the perfect time to cross that bridge. Disappointing yes, but sometimes when you’re on a fresh journey – a loss is what you need in order to see the deeper problems, rather than just papering over the cracks. We go again! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, James Perch ©, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley (Jamie Reid 77), George Lapslie, Ollie Clarke, Stephen McLaughlin (Tyrese Sinclair 89) | Nicky Maynard (Andy Cook68), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Ryan Sweeney, Aaron O’Driscoll, Corey O’Keeffe Sky Bet League Two | The One Call Stadium – Friday 20th November [Teams able to use FIVE substitutes from this game]  It’s really difficult when you’re in Mansfield’s position to lose composure and pile blame onto a person who makes an error, especially when things look like they’ve been turning a corner. But that’s exactly what we must avoid this morning, following last night’s 1-1 draw at home to Colchester, a fair point and result in my opinion.
Waking up on this Saturday Morning knowing the teams around us could leapfrog us today isn’t a nice feeling – but let’s be honest, a 1-1 draw in our current form vs where we were three weeks ago is far more positive and I fully believe this point will prove to be a very good one this time next week after taking on Harrogate in midweek. Again the Stags played very well and matched up against an inform Colchester who make it very difficult for teams to take points off of them – we played some good stuff, defended well enough and scored another good team goal, all that was missing was that little bit of spark to kill them game off, but that WILL come. A lot of people will be looking at Marek Stech’s part in the visitors’ goal, Nigel Clough after the game said he felt it was a mistake – but it’s catch 22 there isn’t it? We make the substitution (O’Keeffe on for Clarke) and just aren’t switched on enough from our goal kick – when they clip a hopefully ball forward – Stech is on his six yard line and has two options, back track or come out – he chooses the latter to try and narrow the angle but gets lobbed. If he stays put and they score, people will have said “why didn’t he come out” – whatever choice he makes there, he takes flack for it – for me coming out to narrow the angle was the better choice because in that split second when the ball is played, it looks like Rawson and Gordon (tracking defenders) won’t get there first. I’d love to see it from behind the goal to be fair. Either way it’s not ONE PERSONS error, we’re a team and have to shoulder the blame and responsibility. We’re a team that’s had all confidence and energy stripped of us and are slowly building it back, let’s not take a million steps backwards now by pinning blame on just one person and one moment. If you want a debate to think about or mull over, the match was the first in the EFL to introduce the five substitutions rule which personally I welcome. The goal scorer, was Colchester’s FOURTH sub of the game, utilising the new rulings well where as we, despite looking leggy, made just one change – but then again, other than freshness, we had no need to change it up, so swings and roundabouts I guess. All in all, a good point – I feel far more positive about that result and score line than I would have three weeks or so ago, onto the next game we go! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, James Perch ©, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley, George Lapslie, Ollie Clarke (Corey O’Keeffe 84), Stephen McLaughlin | Nicky Maynard, Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Ryan Sweeney, Andy Cook, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jamie Reid, Tyrese Sinclair Sky Bet League Two | The Innocent New Lawn – Saturday 14th November [Nigel Clough’s first League game as manager – Mansfield’s first league win]  The full time whistle a week ago at Sunderland was a euphorically feeling, the full time whistle on Tuesday was a pleasing one, and yesterday – well that was just magical, three wins on the spin, but more importantly, our first in the league as the momentum train gathers another jolt of speed.
Nigel Clough reverted back to the same starting line-up which beat Sunderland, despite vice-skipper Ryan Sweeney and fellow natural central defender Rollin Menayese both getting 90 minutes in midweek – thus rewarding James Perch for his fine displays deputising out of position at centre back alongside Rawson. The Stags continued to play in the same confident, front foot manner – playing with zest and energy from the off and scoring two good goals which highlighted that. George Lapslie was excellent playing at the top of the midfield diamond and took his goal well, whilst the Stags, and in particular Jordan Bowery, showed excellent focus and press to win the ball back from Forest Greens quick free kick to score the second. What was particularly pleasing was the grit and determination showed by the Stags throughout the second half. The weather worsened and as you’d expect for a team in third, Forest Green came at us and reduced the deficit late on – previous games the Stags would have crumbled and came away with a draw at best. One win isn’t the be all and end all, we’ve still got a lot of work to do – but this time we have confidence, belief and momentum on our side. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be instant, BUT we’re on the right track with time to work and improve. Three back to back wins in three competitions, all on the road – time to make the magic happen at home now – bring on Friday! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, James Perch ©, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley, George Lapslie, George Maris (Ollie Clarke 31), Stephen McLaughlin | Nicky Maynard (Corey O’Keeffe 81), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Ryan Sweeney, Andy Cook, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jamie Reid Papa Johns Trophy [EFL Trophy] Northern Group E Game 3/3 | Tuesday 10th November 2020 | Sands Venue Stadium | Nigel Clough’s First Game as Manager  It was a match which meant absolutely nothing in terms of competition progress, but one which meant everything to Nigel Clough and the progress of Mansfield Town as the boys began the new era, with their second win in as many games.
Clough made 11 changes for his first fixture in order for him and his coaching staff to have evaluated every player of the last four games, with Clough and his staff having observed the Stags from the stands for the duration of Richard Coopers excellent caretaker tenure. The fixture also allowed key players such as Ryan Sweeney, Corey O’Keeffe, Ollie Clarke and Rollin Menayese to get some much needed minutes after isolation and injury spells, whilst younger “fringe” players were also given the opportunity to impress the Stags’ new gaffer. All in all it was a very good performance from Mansfield who continued to play out from the back and with a freedom to their play, something which reflected in the two goals scored by Ryan Sweeney and Jamie Reid. The score line suggests a tighter affair, but in truth Mansfield were on top for the majority of the match – it took an absolute rocket to beat Aidan Stone, who was excellent again between the sticks pulling off some good reflex saves, showing good distribution and footwork along with a vocal commanding presence – worthy of the man of the match accolade for sure. As well as minutes and victory in the bank, we’ve also netted 10K – add that to the just shy of 17K we picked up for the win over Sunderland (£16,972 to be exact according to the internet!) and it’s not been a bad week in gaining some much needed financial income! The real work starts on Saturday as Clough takes charge of his first League game for the Stags, a trip to Forest Green Rovers who sit third in the table and are unbeaten at home so far this season in the League. Two wins in the cup mean nothing come 3pm Saturday, other than boosting confidence and gaining some momentum – however there’s a lot to be said for perspective, we’re playing well, with confidence and are, in all competitions, four unbeaten with two back to back wins. Roll on Saturday! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Aidan Stone | James Clarke, Rollin Menayese, Ryan Sweeney ©, Corey O’Keeffe | Tyrese Sinclair (Kellan Gordon 87), Aaron O’Driscoll, Alistair Smith (Ollie Clarke 74), Jason Law | Andy Cook, Jamie Reid (Nathan Caine 88) Unused Subs: Maison Campbell, Harry Charsley, Jordan Bowery FA Cup First Round Proper, Saturday 7th November | Stadium of Light [Behind Closed Doors] | Richard Cooper in caretaker charge – Nigel Clough [New Manager appointed 6/11/20] watching on from the stands  GET IN! Are there any other words to sum up yesterday’s first victory of the season? Honestly what a relief and what a few days for the Stags, announcing Nigel Clough as manager on Friday – before beating League One Sunderland in the FA Cup yesterday [Saturday].
Already I’m seeing social media posts of newspaper clippings highlighting “Clough’s Winning Start” – so before we go any further, yes I’m buzzing to have Clough at the helm, but that victory yesterday, belongs to Richard Cooper and his coaching staff. Coops has been at the clubs for years and I’m so pleased for him – he faced an almost impossible task of picking up a team that was stripped of confidence, stripped of freedom. The results were evident last weekend against Walsall, on Tuesday against Bolton and again yesterday against Sunderland – Cooper and his team made the seemingly impossible, possible. He now hands a team over to Nigel Clough and Gary Crosby [new assistant manager] that are buzzing, playing with freedom and have a real energy about them – yes there’s a long way to go, one victory doesn’t change everything, but we are in a far better shape than we could have hoped for and for that, he deserves a lot of credit. I’d love to see him stay around the first team picture, but I’m fairly sure he’ll head back to his Academy role alongside his coaches and continue the sterling job he’s been doing for years – this club has safe hands, experience and passion running through its very core. It made perfect sense for Cooper to take the side having prepared for the game since Tuesday whilst negotiations with Clough continued, the boys were rocked on Tuesday with Bolton’s late equaliser but showed no sign of dwelling on a negative, instead playing positive football and working hard as a unit to get that first win. Lapslie’s goal was a highlight of the way Cooper’s had us playing and was wonderfully taken – his post match comments said it all, there’s life back in the dressing room and on Monday morning when clough and his team take the first training session, they’ve inherited a group willing to work, rather than a dead environment in need of shaking into life. Clough was present at the game and after the match made his way to the touchline to celebrate with the players, I’ve got no worries that the love and confidence Cooper has installed will disappear, I can’t wait for the season to unfold – starting with a rubber-stamp game Tuesday against Scunthorpe who’ve not had had the greatest season so far and who, after weeks of isolation due to a covid-filled dressing room, take on non-league Solihull at lunchtime. It’s a game to tinker, with no risk – let’s hope the players kick start the new era with victory. To finish, a massive well done to Cooper and the team – and, a massive Thank you, you’ve done something that we all felt impossible – won us a game of football! Arise, Sir Richard Cooper. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, James Perch ©, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley, George Lapslie, George Maris, Stephen McLaughlin | Nicky Maynard (Corey O’Keeffe 81), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Rollin, Menayese, Tyrese Sinclair, Andy Cook, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jamie Reid Sky Bet League Two – Tuesday 3rd November 2020, University of Bolton Stadium [Behind Closed Doors] | Richard Cooper in caretaker charge  Nearly! I actually don’t think there’s any other way to sum up last night as Bolton robbed the Stags of victory with a 90th minute leveller – a sucker punch to Richard Cooper and his staff who, judging by the post match comments, look to have completed their time in caretaker charge.
My overriding emotion is not one of disappointment in the players, the only disappointment is that the boys couldn’t get a win for Coops who has worked wonders over the past week, leaving the squad in far better shape for whoever comes in. Cooper has got the boys believing they can play again, and despite a difficult opening twenty minutes last night, has shown us supporters that the players brought in are fully capable of playing dangerous, effective football – for which he deserves a ton of credit. When George Lapslie leapt like the previous owner of the 32 Shirt to put us 1-0 up, it did feel like a weight had been lifted, it was just that nervous lapse in concentration which didn’t see us press from the front enough to allow Bolton one ball over the top and through the middle to steal a point. Those closing minutes felt like MK Dons away – I was so nervous as we were so dam close! The important thing for me however, was that whoever got placed in caretaker charge, lifted the boys spirits and put us back on track to turn this season around – so long as the new manager sticks with a similar approach to Cooper, I think we’ll be fine. I fully expect an announcement today if not tomorrow which would be perfect, as they then have essentially two free hits as winning a game and tinkering without it doing any damage to the league fortunes. Flipping it on the other side of the coin for just a second, if the new boss isn’t announced – then I’m more than happy for Cooper to carry on, there’s no need to rush this appointment. For the first time in months? The future actually seems positive! Come on you Stags! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, James Perch ©, Mal Benning (Cored O’Keeffe 71)| Harry Charsley, George Lapslie, George Maris (Aaron O’Driscoll 86), Stephen McLaughlin | Nicky Maynard (Jamie Reid 77), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Rollin, Menayese, Tyrese Sinclair, Andy Cook Sky Bet League Two – Saturday 31st October 2020, One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors] | Richard Cooper in caretaker charge  As the Mansfield Town owners and CEO work hard behind the scenes to seek a new manager following the departure of Graham Coughlan on Tuesday, Richard Cooper was tasked with taking charge of the Stags as they took on Walsall – and despite another afternoon without a win, the subtle changes – certainly had an impact.
The Stags put in a much improved display and looked more free to go and play an expressive game, playing out from the back in a 4-3-3 formation – with Nicky Maynard particularly impressing sat a little deeper than usual. The experienced front man also notched his first goal of the season and linked up well with Cook and Reid, along with the midfield in a patch work side with, in reality, eight attack minded players within the starting line-up. Cooper, assisted by Mike Whitlow, Jamie McGuire and Acadmey coaches Sam Wilson and Sam Collins – had his hands tied somewhat with three players still having to self-isolate – he was also dealt a blow on Thursday as Rollin Menayese picked up a knock, meaning midfielder James Perch had to play centre back with Aaron O’Driscoll also suspended. Perch played very well and skippered the side, a role I’m sure he’ll continue on Tuesday at Bolton with vice captain Ryan Sweeney still having to self-isolate and skipper Ollie Clarke still injured. Along with a change in system, Cooper also changed the dressing room arrangements – ultimately meaning that the entirety of the Stags squad stayed together in one room (Kevin Bird Suite) rather than having to split across the home and away dressing rooms – as per the covid guidelines. From a preparation point of view this made total sense, having to split over two dressing rooms automatically creates difficulty in creating a positive atmosphere before kick-off and getting instructions across – why should you, as the home team, be put at a disadvantage, enforced by your own facilities? As a result of this, the Stags then warmed up at the opposite end of the ground than usual and switched dugouts – not for a second am I saying that THAT was the problem under GC, that’s just plain daft to assume that, but what I am saying is that it’s something different. A new routine, a new focus, a fresh start – and we all needed that. Cooper and his team had just two days to prepare and judging by the post-match interview, will do the same for Tuesday’s trip to struggling Bolton – boosted by the return of Aaron O’Driscoll from suspension and Mal Benning, whose ten day isolation post positive covid test, ended Friday. There are a few people on Social Media saying we need to appoint a manager before Tuesday with Tranmere joining ourselves and Salford in looking for a new manager. Personally I don’t think we need to rush here, let Cooper and his team take charge of Tuesday and build upon the changes they’ve already made in a short space of time and try and get a win, they deserve a shot at it and the players seem to have responded. We then have, in my opinion, the perfect window to appoint a manager who can then either take charge and experiment themselves or allow Cooper to continue for two games and have the luxury of watching from the outside with Sunderland and Scunthorpe in the FA Cup and Pappa Johns Trophy respectively. Well done to Coops and the players, it wasn’t a win but it was so much better than what we saw under GC – Bring on Tuesday night, football is needed more than ever now with Lockdown Two looming from Thursday! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Farrend Rawson, James Perch ©, Stephen McLaughlin | Harry Charsley, George Lapslie, George Maris | Nicky Maynard, Jamie Reid, Andy Cook (Jordan Bowery 75) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Alistair Smith James Clarke, Tyrese Sinclair, Jason Law |
