Scooby Doo | Mansfield Town 0-0 Stevenage

Sky Bet League Two – Saturday 10th October 2020, One Call Stadium [Behind Closed Doors]

Graham Coughlan say’s the Stags have laid a “ghost to rest” after the goalless draw with Stevenage – but I can’t help thinking we’ve heard that before, which then leads me to question, like in Scooby Doo, how many ghosts are there? And just when will Mansfield be Ghost free and their fortunes change?

Three points from a possible fifteen so far this campaign leaves a lot to be desired, and whilst I can accept that we’re a new team still adapting to each other etc, that total coupled with our performances, isn’t good enough.

I’m no manager, the ‘quit game to start menu’ option is more responsible for my Football Manager achievements than anything, so I’m not exactly qualified to share my opinion on shapes and systems – but I can’t help but wonder if a subtle change would change our fortunes, and get our big hitters, well – hitting?

George Maris is one of the, if not the, best ball players in this division getting box to box, creating chances and scoring goals – yet in this five-man midfield, he’s absolutely lost through no fault of his own, as we revert to type and go back to front bypassing the midfield entirely!

Nicky Maynard has an excellent record but needs the service to play him in behind and create pockets to pick at, the direct style completely takes him out of the game – likewise with Jamie Reid.

I still think losing Danny Rose, and perhaps even CJ Hamilton, during this window as cost and will continue too until we figure things out – I’ll always praise the financial benefits for the club with the long-term being protected, but we need to balance that out by bringing in fresh legs before the window closes next week.

The games are going to come at us thick and fast over the next two weeks – for me anything less than seven points from the next nine will be unacceptable and will leave us in trouble. We have to step things up and raise our game, our identity is fast becoming a below average mid-table one and I think we’re better than that.

Let’s stop running down endless corridors that look the same and get to the unmasking part and earn ourselves a Scooby snack!

Click HERE to read the clubs official match report.

STAGS: Marek Stech | Rollin Menayese, Farrend Rawson, Ryan Sweeney © | Corey O’Keeffe, Harry Charsley, James Perch, George Maris, Stephen McLaughlin (Mal Benning 50) | Nicky Maynard (Andy Cook 74), Jamie Reid
Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Jordan Bowery, Kellan Gordon, Aaron O’Driscoll, Alistair Smith