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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
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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 Sky Bet League Two – Tuesday 27th October 2020, One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors] | Manager Graham Coughlan SACKED after the match  Mansfield Town’s worst performance of the season (so far!) handed out two gifts last night – Barrow were gifted their first win of the season, whilst manager Graham Coughlan was gifted his P45 – sacked after the full time whistle as Barrow ran out comfortable 4-2 winners.
The Stags were without skipper Ryan Sweeney who was withdrawn from the group after showing covid symptoms – his replacement youngster Aaron O’Driscoll had a night to forget, sent off for two bookings on his football league debut. Being down to ten men didn’t help, but in honesty – the sending off didn’t really alter the course of the game, Barrow were all over us and thoroughly deserved their victory. Sacking Coughlan was the right call to make, no wins in nine is bad enough – but after the backing he’s had, something clearly wasn’t right. Yes you have to have some sympathy with injuries and covid, but there were still enough about the squad to cope. The Radfords, along with David Sharpe, have a huge job now in what is arguably our most critical appointment – especially with so many experienced, promotion winning, managers out of work available for free. The one thing they must do in my view is take their time, there’s no harm in letting Jamie McGuire prepare and take Saturday’s match against Walsall whilst they do an in depth interview process. This isn’t a bad squad of players, whoever comes in just needs to motivate them and make a few subtle tweaks to take us back forwards, rather than the big step back we’ve just endured. As always we thank Graham for his efforts, but football is results based and he leaves with the worst managerial record at the club – good luck for the future, but for us, it’s time to move on and rebuild. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson, Aaron O’Driscoll | Kellan Gordon, James Perch (George Maris 68), George Lapslie, Stephen McLaughlin | Harry Charsley | Nicky Maynard (Jamie Reid 78), Andy Cook (C) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Alistair Smith James Clarke, Tyrese Sinclair, Jordan Bowery Sky Bet League Two – Saturday 24th October 2020, Jonny Rocks Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  Another game passes and it’s another one without a victory, prompting even more questions over the future of Stags Manager Graham Coughlan – questions which will get asked louder, written bolder and underlined in capitals – should his side fail to beat also winless Barrow at home on Tuesday night.
For me it feels like a dead heat photo finish at the races, one which expert after expert must analyse from every angle possible. The former Bristol Rovers boss has guided Stags to just four wins during his tenure, all four being last season pre-lockdown with a side which wasn’t his own. He’s been backed well post-lockdown and despite losing Danny Rose and CJ Hamilton, has pulled in some big names from League Two and League One respectively – but whatever reason, the new faces have been stung with the old problems and perhaps arguably, have taken a step backwards – highlighted no less by this terrible run of zero wins leaving us lingering just above the drop zone. Yet over the last two games his side have shown improvement at the back and on the ball, even without full backs Mal Benning [Positive covid-test] and Corey O’Keeffe [self-isolating following close contact with Benning] – taking points from two in form sides in Morecambe and Cheltenham. Those points, as Coughlan said post match, are only good points IF we back them up with a win Tuesday – I’d go further than that and say they’re only good points if we beat both Barrow [Tuesday] and Walsall [Saturday], which should then give us the platform to push on further as we face Scunthorpe in the cup which we’re already out of, and Bolton in the league. Barrow are really struggling to adapt to league life whilst Walsall, all-be-it the only unbeaten side in League Two, can’t turn draws into wins so SHOULD be there for the taking, IF Mansfield HAVE improved. The next two games will be a real test of character, we’re at home and must play on the front foot with real attacking intent. Yesterday I felt we had that when we got on the ball, even though Cook was supposedly isolated up top, he had both Charsley and Maris playing at attacking midfield roles, feeding on the scarps and really pushing us forward – with a little tweak of tactic, I think we can turn our season around. I’m no football manager or coach, just a humble fan with an opinion – I’m also not the CEO or owners, however I do feel that an absolute minimum of four points from the next two games is required to send the “urgent exit required” message, line of duty style. Failure to win a game from those two won’t be about the ball not dropping, lady luck not smiling, or players having to isolate etc – it’s a leadership issue which would have to be addressed, especially as the games are against teams around us with negative results causing further damage. For now, I continue to back Coughlan and the boys – BUT, the magnifying glass is well and truly out looking at the photo finish of our stats and performance, and a certain ex-burton manager’s number is being googled! Actually, it’s Barrow at home on Tuesday isn’t it – quick, someone give Coxy a call and tell him there’s a Jag up for grabs! Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney © | Kellan Gordon, James Perch, George Lapslie, Stephen McLaughlin | Harry Charsley, George Maris (Nicky Maynard 78) | Andy Cook (Jamie Reid 78) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Aaron O’Driscoll, James Clarke, Tyrese Sinclair, Jordan Bowery Sky Bet League Two – Tuesday 20th October 2020, Mazuma Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  Three minutes into last night’s fixture when Morecambe took the lead, I was most certainly in the “here we go again camp” – and yet, despite Harry Charsley’s back heeled leveller and a point away from home – I still feel like Oliver Twist asking for more.
The results adds to our woeful start to the season and I can’t hide my disappointment that we didn’t seize the initiative last night and play for the win late on – the game was there for the taking. In terms of performance I felt we did OK, we moved the ball better, we got our creative players more involved, we had a number of opportunities – but still lacked intensity, hunger and desire to go and kill a team off – and after seven games, that’s not good enough. OK the players may have been nervy, when you’re in a poor vein of forms there’s always a hesitance with players afraid to make errors – and that’s fine so long as you protect what you start with, a point. Where things change however is with the management – you look to them to rally the troops, to make proactive changes to win games and to inspire – I can’t say I’m feeling that at the moment from Coughlan, highlighted by replacing Cook with Bowery after 73 minutes, when really all the game needed was one player to push up with him with a freshness such as Maynard or Reid – both natural goalscorers who like to play on the front foot. The manager claimed to have played a 4-3-3 which suggests that Cook did have support from Gordon and McLaughlin, realistically it was a 4-5-1 with them out wide – meaning Cook had to drop deeper to try and make things happen for himself, that’s just playing into the opponents hands there! I’m not saying that there wasn’t improvement, because there was – and when you add in Ollie Clarke (injured, not sure how long for), George Lapslie (Suspended, back on Saturday) and Mal Benning (left out due to well-being concerns – hope he’s OK) you’ve got a little more natural balance and attacking threat, which should turn a point into three. Cheltenham have made a cracking start and will be tough on Saturday but we can NOT go backwards and lose the game, but then with Barrow in midweek at home struggling to adapt to league life, you have the opposite – anything less than four points minimum from the next two games will be deemed a failure in my opinion. A few may question why I’ve not referenced chances for Sweeney and Rawson – simply because that excuse of “oh things didn’t drop” has ran its course, we have to get on with it and focus on what we can have an effect on – and that’s the next game, and getting a long, overdue win – before we need to start looking at other ways to turn this nightmare season around. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney ©, Corey O’Keeffe| Kellan Gordon, James Perch, George Maris, Harry Charsley, Stephen McLaughlin (Tyrese Sinclair 70) | Andy Cook (Jordan Bowery 73) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jamie Reid, Nicky Maynard, Alistair Smith Sky Bet League Two – Saturday 17th October 2020, One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]  As supporters I believe we all have a right to have our say on performances, and I also think we have a “line of acceptance” for performance of both the team, and the manager. Yesterday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Bradford certainly saw the team performance dip beyond that for me, the manager – not too far behind.
The voice of reason in my head has to take into consideration the current climate we find ourselves in with covid, morally I wouldn’t want to put anyone out of work – but financially I also wouldn’t want to see us have to make pay-offs to staff if we couldn’t afford to do so. The same voice of reason by the way would have argued about the new team having time – but in my view, they’ve had enough time now to improve and gel. As for bringing someone in, this time around I don’t think we’d have to pay compensation to a club to get a manager in with at least five candidates currently out of work – a discussion for another time. Back to yesterday, sorry, it was a very poor error littered performance – highlighted by the fact that our two candidates for man of the match in the cool down show, were a player who got sent off, and a player who played 45 minutes from the bench. It simply wasn’t good enough. The addition of George Lapslie looked to have FINALLY found what we’ve been lacking – creativity and we started well, but then Marek Stech decided to put on his butter gloves drop a routine catch into his own net and with that, the bubble burst, the boat rocked, the iceburg was hit – however you want to describe it, THAT was the moment it all changed. The second goal was pathetic defending shape, so much so even the camera man didn’t even notice the Bradford man in acres of space to latch onto a training ground p*** take back heal and powerful place beyond the Stags number one. Graham Coughlan said for weeks his side needed to go back to basics, and at the break made three changes and switched into a 4-4-2, and for what, ten minutes? It works, fluid football with a purpose, but then it doesn’t lead to a goal, the patience runs out and before you know it, 3-0 Bradford. OK, we pull it back to 3-1 with Andy Cook but we also see Lapslie sent off for his second booking – no complaints from me, both yellow cards were warranted by the letter of the law. A 95th minute goal for Oldham at Bolton then puts us in the relegation zone for, correct me if I’m wrong, the first time since we’ve been back in the Football League – and then, to round of a truly miserable Saturday – GC does his post-match late, having clear been ranting and raving at his players, to give, in my view, the same answers as previous weeks leaving me (and judging by social media comments, the majority of fans) without any confidence this woeful start to the season will be turned on its head. Question – Why, if you’ve been saying we need to go back to basics, don’t you START THE BLOODY GAME in a 4-4-2 and allow the players to be expressive in the way they were second half? Question – Why leave the most effective striker on the bench week in week out, despite tremendous personal effort to improve during lockdown? I have more questions which anger wants to ask, but for now – I’ll wait, for me we have to get AT LEAST four points from the next two games, it may be early in the season but we have to REACT and pull away from the relegation zone, because the dressing room becomes toxic, social media becomes (even more) toxic, the players confidence dies and before you know it, it’s December and we’re heading back to the darkness. The POSITIVE, we have a game Tuesday which we have to prepare for meaning we can’t stew on this unacceptable comedy of errors. We can NOT change it, We can NOT put superglue on Stech’s gloves or guide Bowery’s seemingly cast iron efforts in – We CAN go back to basics Tuesday, making a number of proactive changes, and save ourselves. PLEASE. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report. STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson (Mal Benning 45), Ryan Sweeney © | Corey O’Keeffe, George Lapslie, James Perch, George Maris (Harry Charsley 45), Stephen McLaughlin | Nicky Maynard (Andy Cook 45), Jordan Bowery Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Aaron O’Driscoll, Tyrese Sinclair, Jamie Reid |
