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Sky Bet League Two, Game 2 – Saturday 19th September 2020, Breyer Group Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  After so many months of waiting for football to return, we all had a renewed hope that this new Mansfield Town would be free of the errors of the old Mansfield, alas there’s never a truer statement than “papering over the cracks – doesn’t actually get rid of the cracks”
It was all going so swimmingly for the Stags who, after a well contested first half, had worked hard to take a two goal lead at Leyton Orient with ten minutes to play. Someone forgot the golden rule – never swim in waters out of your depth, as the Stags players did the full Chris Tarrent routine – offering three points to the fans only to whip them away “We don’t want to give you that”! Concrete footed defending allowed the hosts back into the game late on, BUT the Stags’ new found confidence in keeping the ball theoretically should have seen Graham Coughlan’s men through…. WRONG! As someone had the bright idea to hold the ball up in the corner with a good five minutes, plus stoppages, to play! We won’t even mention Ollie Clarke’s late SHOT from practically the half way line to give possession away with a minute left, which led inadvertently to the hosts having one last chance… KEEP THE BALL MAN! Ah, I’m having nightmares of last season again. Usually I’d still be fuming on a Sunday morning after throwing away victory, but I’m a tad more mellow today. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t then spend X amount of hours in a car stewing over the result (cheers covid)? No, it’s because I saw how absolutely raging Coughlan was in his post-match interview! Those players were not instructed by the management (if we’re going on what the real GC said) to hold the ball in the corner at 2-1 with so long left, nor did he expect his skipper to give the ball away so cheaply with victory so close! With last season’s cohort, I’d expect a repeat of that because it was not a squad built by GC, this one however is – and I firmly believe the next time we hold the ball in the corner with so long left, GC will storm onto the pitch himself and two foot his own players as a wakeup call! OK, I’m being daft now I know – but you get the point. Taking the positives away, the Stags were in control of that match and kept a hungry Orient side pretty happy – they lifted their game in the second half and chased after seemingly lost causes, highlighted perfectly by Andy Cook in winning the penalty which Jordan Bowery put in the postage stamp top corner! Never in doubt?! We had some good build up play and looked a lot fitter again, there’s an energy about this team and I honestly think the lessons will be learned, mistakes will be corrected and those aforementioned cracks, properly repaired. We move on, we hurt, we learn, we look forward and WE DON’T HOLD THE BLOODY BALL UP IN THE CORNER FOR SEVEN MINUTES!! Watching the Stags never gets easier… but we wouldn’t have it any other way! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney | Corey O’Keeffe, Ollie Clarke © George Maris, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley | Andy Cook (Nicky Maynard 90), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Tyrese Sinclair, James Perch, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jamie Reid, Stephen McLaughlin
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Sky Bet League Two, Game 1 – Saturday 12th September 2020, The One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  After months of waiting and countless changes, Mansfield Town finally began their next chapter with a goalless draw with Tranmere Rovers.
The Stags put in a solid display and were very unlucky not to finish as winners, performing well in all areas of the pitch in a vast contrast to the previous season. I actually hate comparing, it’s a completely different squad for a start – but it’s a natural thing to do to see just how far we’ve come and maybe even wet the appetite to see how far we could then go. Nobody really knows that as yet but I’m certainly encouraged by our opening day display, the midfield especially providing that engine room we’ve lacked for a while, with seemingly new skipper Ollie Clarke at the very heart of that. I’ve never really been a fact of stats, especially the public ones such as possession and shots on target – but I’d be very interested to see the ones the clubs’ analysist creates, such as the amount of times the midfield won play back and transitioned that into a chance – that’s something I noticed a lot with Clarke in particular on Tuesday, and something I think we’ll base our game around. Many have said that Tranmere played for a draw, I slightly disagree as it takes away something from our defensive play – we we’re solid and dogged in protecting a clean sheet, something which should be the bare minimum expectation at home, let’s make the One Call a really difficult place for teams to come and build a psychological edge to our game. Moving from back to front now, I guess you can be slightly disappointed by our lack of finishing, but most importantly we got the ball into good areas and created chances – we’ve had one come back off of the bar, forced a few good blocks and really made the visitors work for their clean sheet. Those chances will come good with sharpness and partnerships developing. Notable mentions should goto Cook and O’Keeffe alongside Clarke – Cook has lost weight and looks hungry to succeed for the Stags this term, he was very impressive with his overall work rate, creating some key chances – whilst O’Keeffe played well down the right and really gives us some attacking flair, balanced well with a good defensive display. We’ve still got other players to come in and make an impact, we’re not the finished product by far but for an opening day it’s pleasing. I guess it’s like baking a Victoria Sponge for the first time, it’s come out OK and tastes nice – but with a bit of extra care and experimenting, will leave those eating desperate for the next slice, rather than being content with just the one. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney | Corey O’Keeffe, Ollie Clarke © George Maris, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley (Tyrese Sinclair 83) | Andy Cook, Jordan Bowery (Nicky Maynard 75) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Kellan Gordon, James Perch, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jamie Reid
EFL Trophy Group E Game 1/3, Tuesday 8th September 2020, The One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors
With the new Sky Bet League Two season edging closer, Mansfield Town boss Graham Coughlan had one last opportunity to get minutes into players’ legs – in what many saw as a “competitive friendly” against Manchester City’s under 21s side.
The first of three group games in this season’s EFL Trophy saw the Stags on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line, and whilst many will be disappointed and slightly worried by the full time result – I actually believe the scoreline doesn’t reflect our performance and the progress we’ve made. Mansfield lined up with a few younger players but it was still a solid side and one which competed throughout, putting together some good moves but being undone by a simple move of pace and flare to be a goal down at the break. For my money, Mansfield controlled the second half and looked like they were going to draw level and take the games to “bonus point penalties” but were denied by a string of strong saves from the young City keeper. Concerns were raised as we gave two very cheap and very easy goals away in the final two minutes of the match – we have to be stronger, we have to switch on and we have to keep pushing, the two errors, no MISTAKES, completely changed the match and left a very sour taste. With the season just around the corner though I’m determined to take the positives from the match and head into Saturday with some zest and hope! That comes from the emergence of the next generation in Tyrese Sinclair, who had a very comfortable game and impressed throughout – for me, I’d be putting his name on the team sheet for Saturday right now in big, bold, letters. Aaron O’Driscoll too had a decent game, there was one moment in the second half where he sold a very short back pass to Stech which nearly landed us in trouble – but aside from that I felt he did very well in the middle of the back three and again, would be on my team sheet for Saturday. Finally, Ollie Clarke had a very good game running the midfield – he scored a belter on Saturday in the non-streamed game at Burnley and was unlucky not to score. He certainly gave us something we’ve missed for a long while and to be fair, that was evident after the hour mark when he was subbed – presumably to be ready for Saturday. In reality the result is a nothing – yes it would have been nice to win and go into Saturday with a zip, but we came through it without injury having played some good football at times, but also having been punished without any real damage done. Is it Saturday yet?!
Click HERE to read the clubs official match report.
STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Aaron O’Driscoll, Ryan Sweeney | Corey O’Keeffe, Ollie Clarke © [Kellan Gordon 60], Alistair Smith, Mal Benning | Tyrese Sinclair | Jamie Reid [Jimmy Knowles 83], Nicky Maynard [Josh Scott 60] Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, James Clarke, Aidan Walker, Jason Law
Carabao Cup First Round, Saturday 29th August 2020 – Deepdale Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]
Mansfield Town endured a negative and disappointing return to competitive action, as the new look side suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Championship outfit Preston North End.
The new look Mansfield side were far from ready for competitive action as admitted by boss Graham Coughlan prior to the match, however I’m sure he will be relieved to have achieved his key aim – seemly finishing the match with no injuries. With supporters not being able to attend, I said to myself I wouldn’t sit and write after a game – I’ve always maintained the mantra of “If you weren’t there, you can’t comment” personally, but in this stupid, Covid-adapted footballing world – that’s out of the window. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the negative points – conceding four goals, defensive errors and ultimately defeat – but let’s be realistic for a second, not only did we play a Preston side who were very unlucky not to have finished in the Championship play-offs, but we’re also a brand new squad who need game time to gel and click into gear – game time which given the forward move of this match, was unable to be found. Personally I’m happy to write this one off and take away the valuable lessons we’ve learned and just focus on the season’s opener in two weeks against Tranmere – yes I know we have the Manchester City U21s match prior to that in the EFL Trophy, but as always whilst those games are competitive, they’re predominantly highlighted as a glorified friendly. Obviously watching through a laptop means you can’t watch the game in your own way – camera’s tend to follow the ball rather than allow you to look at shape from set-plays or players’ off the ball contributions to create pockets of space etc, so it’s tough to convey thoughts onto paper.
However, I wanted to try and feel some form of “normal” in this stupid world, and so here I am! I was actually pleased with our approach play early on – Danny Rose impressed me showing more pace and creating chances for strike partner Andy Cook, who I believe can be a big player for us this season – he was especially unlucky not to score early on in the chance created by Roses’ excellent cut back.
Corey O’Keefe, Mansfield’s new wing-back played very well down the right hand side and would be up there if I was in the business of picking a “man of the match” whilst Tyrese Sinclair also impressed in midfield when he came on during the second half. That is where I think we need to improve on more, we’ve brought in excellent box to box players like George Maris & Ollie Clarke (who we’ve yet to see) but thus far are yet to utilize them by playing through the middle and controlling play. Fair enough you’re not going to get that against Championship opposition and the only games we’ve been permitted to see have been against sides who are from higher levels, I think we need to play a lower league side and, without arrogance being intended, be the dominant side and work on that part of our game. Naturally we shouldn’t be happy with what we’ve seen so far from the defensive side of things, BUT it is still early, there is still time to adapt, add if needed, and improve. Does this result matter? Not really – it’ll be about as memorable of that time you had to walk one way around Tescos. Onwards! Bring on the season… and more importantly, the day we can actually watch in person – armchair football, isn’t for me. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: [1] Marek Stech, [4] Rollin Menayese [6] Farrend Rawson ([15] Aaron O’Driscoll 63) [5] Ryan Sweeney ©, [2] Corey O’Keefe [7] Harry Charsley [14] James Perch ([27] Tyrese Sinclair 63) [10] George Maris [3] Mal Benning, [32] Danny Rose ([19] Jamie Reid 76) [11] Andy Cook Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, James Clarke, Jimmy Knowles, Alistair Smith
Walking away from Northampton 174 days ago having beaten the promotion chasers 2-1 as our poor season enjoyed a rare positive spike, not even Mystic Meg could have predicted that THAT would be our last taste of competitive action for the best part of six months, never mind all the madness the world would then see.
Alas after months of isolation, mask wearing, social distancing, going one-way around Tesco, getting paid 80% salary to watch Netflix and endless Zoom quizzes – we finally have light at the end of the tunnel, with the return of competitive football for Mansfield Town.
I should be like a kid on Christmas Eve today, but instead I find myself staring out of the window with my mood matching the weather – bleak and depressing. Why? Because the realisation that I, along with the rest of the travelling Stags faithful, can’t go tomorrow – watching through a laptop simply feels wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely thankful that the option to watch is there and I think it’s been fantastic previously for fans who can’t get due to work, holiday, family or whatever – but previously, I imagine watching games through a stream isn’t too different to being there to experience the drama – because the supporters around the stadia MAKE the drama, without them there, it’s going to make a bafta winning gritty drama feel like a primary school play rehearsal. Take for example two years ago this very day, when Mansfield Town made the trip to Championship outfit West Brom in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup – that game had pretty much every thrill a supporter of the “underdogs” hopes for! The Stags had already knocked out League One outfit Accrington in emphatic style and had started the season very well, unbeaten – perhaps with too many draws, but the promise of something good was there with some mouth-watering football on show. At the Hawthorns nearly two-thousand Stags fans made the away end feel electric, sensing another upset could be on the cards. The vocal passion pouring from the away end was evident all night and spurred the Stags onto a ferocious fight back, Neal Bishop’s absolute rocket on 69 minutes set the away end alight even more to pull the game level. Despite the hosts then regaining the lead six minutes later, the passion and belief in the away end was far from dead as the players were lifted, Danny Rose and Jordan Graham both had chances to level before the Stags won a corner with seconds left in front of the travelling fans. Up comes keeper Bobby Oljenik and when Alex MacDonald’s driven shot cannons off a West Brom leg, the ball falls straight into his path. Our hearts are in our mouths as Bobby strikes, we’re already seeing flashes of the celebrations in our heads as his boot connects sending the ball towards goal. BANG the bubble bursts as his shot is blocked – our heads are falling into our hands as the loose ball falls to the skipper Pearce, a mere six yards from goal… Time stands still as the chief set’s himself with his left foot – all he has to do now is stroke the ball into the back of the net… The keeper is rooted to his spot, the defenders are nowhere – the ball leaves the captain’s boot… we’re all praying it trickles into the net – god, or whichever high power you believe in, wasn’t listening – the ball landed wide, the final whistle blew. Game over. There’s a sting of heartbreak in the crowd, a sigh of relief cannons around from the home fans which then reignites our passion and pride, clapping off the lads who gave it everything.
Fast forward to tomorrow – try to imagine yourself feeling the same buzz, energy, passion and pride from your living room sofa. There’s no roar to lift the boys when they need it, there’s no atmosphere, the only tension is when the cat walks in front of the telly or the dog brings you a toy to play with. How deflating is that?
Now imagine being a player, regardless of the debate about being match fit and the game being three weeks too early – they must feel the same buzz of excitement we do when we know there’s something to play for. I imagine they too look forward to hearing the noise of the fans when they walk out of the tunnel, the supportive chants, the sporadic singing of a fan favourites name and everything else in between. What will they have tomorrow? Tumbleweed. How deflating is that? The two entities, fan support and player “power-play” go hand in hand. The louder we sing, the more they lift the tempo – the more they lift the tempo, the louder we sing. You get the picture. Tomorrow, no matter how loud we scream at the telly, they won’t hear us. For them, the game will descend into going through the motions – and for us, is an event which doesn’t quite feel real. I have no idea how these top flight fans can feel the same emotion and pride from watching through Sky Sports every week – another rant for another day! Football for me has always been about the socialisation, meeting different fans, chatting, debating, laughing, crying – all with the same purpose, to support Mansfield Town Football Club. The drive to and from a game with your friendship group etc is just as much a part of the experience as the game itself. When will we get to experience that again? Yes they’re trialing different things looking at reduced capacities etc – but I sincerely doubt we’ll be able to experience that away day buzz or full match experience for a long time to come. You try having a conversation with your mates sat two seats and two rows apart with a bloody mask on. That long droning chorus of Yellows is going to be very different. I could sit here and write all day about how it’s unfair and give my views on this slightly more serious than usual bout of flu – but that’s not what this is about really is it?! Having Football back is a brilliant feeling, we’ve got something to talk about, something to focus on, something to debate and unite over – we just have to do it in a very different way, that’s all. I can’t wait for 3pm tomorrow to see the boys walk-out of the tunnel and get stuck into action. Will I wear my Stags shirt in my living room, will I still have a little sing, clap & shout, will I have a pre-match hot-chocolate etc – Dam straight! The imagination is a powerful thing, that’s for sure. Between the full time whistle at Northampton and kick-off tomorrow, it’s 175 days – a lot has changed but we’ve waited long-enough. COME ON YOU STAGS. Mansfield Matters will be trying to replicate that post-match buzz and energy with the ‘Cool Down’ show – as Craig, Cam and Nathan share their immediate thoughts on the match, 15 minutes or so after the full time whistle LIVE on our Facebook Page – facebook.com/mtfcmatters – feel free to grab a beer, cuppa or whatever and join us. Northampton Town 1-2 Mansfield Town [Danny Rose (P), Willem Tomlinson] | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 7th March 2020 | PTS Academy Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
When Graham Coughlan took charge of his first game as Stags boss back in December against Northampton at the One Call stadium, you could sense that given time to work he would lift us into a side that would go toe to toe with the top sides, a side that would show some resilience and battle – yesterday’s 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture over the Cobblers, certainly showed the lads have put the work in. There’s a massively long way to go, more than anything the excitement and joy of victory is building for next season rather than a positive end to this one, but you have to give the lads credit for standing up and fighting against a physical Northampton side. The fact they had ten men for the majority of the game to me is irrelevant because even with a man less, they caused us problems, throwing themselves about, pinching, punching, kicking and screaming to try and get something from the game which, like it or not, good successful sides do – if anything that little bit of ‘bullying’ is a characteristic which we lacked when we were in their shoes this time last season. Mansfield were strong but that came from the very back in Aidan Stone, who was absolutely excellent when called upon in the Stags goal – his flying save to tip around the top corner bound free-kick moments before our counter-attack-won penalty, was the turning point of the game for me and simply said “today, we will not crumble”. The young shot stopper is fully deserving of his run in the side at the moment and made a string of saves throughout the match, vocally marshalling his defence and making it a frustrating afternoon for Northampton – whose goal late on will be disappointing for Stone to not keep a clean sheet, but one in which the Stags need to do better in defending higher up – little things make a difference. Stevenage losing takes the gap to sixteen points, but there are still ten games to go for both – let’s kick on from this and keep battling, for the last few seasons’ we’ve had a very poor end, so let’s end strong and take that into the next campaign. Crewe up next will prove a technical challenge rather than a physical one, we have to be switched on and defend well – taking our chances when they come, because as yesterday proved, those chances make a difference when you take them. What a good feeling to get a win! Match Recap Defender Joe Riley returned to the starting line-up in place of Hayden White following the two-week gap between games in the sides only change. On the bench, 16-Year-Old goalkeeper Maison Campbell was given a call up, replacing Oljenik who picked up a knock in training, whilst young forward Tyrese Sinclair also was brought onto the bench. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report FULL TIME: Northampton Town 1-2 Mansfield Town | Attendance 5,666 (767) STAGS: [3-4-1-2] Aidan Stone | Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Kelland Watts (Hayden White 87) | Joe Riley, Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson, CJ Hamilton | Harry Charsley | Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard (Craig Davies 82) Unused Substitutes: Maison Campbell, Mal Benning, Jack Evans, Tyrese Sinclair, Jimmy Knowles *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* 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* 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* |
