Archived News from January 2021
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CLOUGH PREVIEWS WALSALL GAME
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Confidence the major factor in form - boss
mansfieldtown.net, Wednesday 27th January 2021 In Wednesday morning’s news conference, boss Nigel Clough spoke of the progress that the Stags have made since he first watched them at home to Walsall, ahead of Saturday’s trip to face the Saddlers in Sky Bet League Two. Alongside assistant Gary Crosby, the soon-to-be Mansfield manager watched on from the stands as caretaker boss Richard Cooper guided the Stags to a 1-1 draw against Walsall at One Call Stadium in late October. Since then, the amber and blue have improved dramatically, sitting 11 points clear of the drop, having won their last five matches in Sky Bet League Two. Nigel Clough explained why he believes there has been a significant improvement in form, while also previewing Saturday’s match away at Banks’s Stadium. “First of all, I think how Darrell Clarke goes about it is brilliant, how he sets his teams up to compete,” he told iFollow Stags. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/january/confidence-the-major-factor-in-form---boss/ “Walsall will be there or thereabouts again, and it will be one of our toughest games on Saturday. “[I don’t expect the game to be] more difficult [than Southend], just different challenges. The strikers and the players that they have there [Walsall] will cause us different sorts of problems. “It’s very difficult to quantify that [progress since home match against Walsall]. We’ve won a few games and confidence is high, that was the biggest thing that was missing. “We were very impressed in that game [against Walsall] with the work rate, and that hasn’t changed. We just saw some good players that needed a boost. “You see a different sort of team now. We’re halfway through the season now and are 11 points clear of the bottom two, which has lifted everybody’s spirits. “There’s nothing worse than being restricted in how you play, so I think you’re seeing the players perform with a bit more freedom now. “We have supporters who just want a bit of success and to have a team that they can identify with. We want to try to be positive, score goals, entertain, and win.” The Stags were due to be in action on Tuesday evening, but their scheduled clash with Bolton Wanderers was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Nigel Clough discussed the postponement, adding: “We’re disappointed and frustrated [with the postponement], but it’s understandable. Once frost gets in the ground, it’s hard to remedy. “We’re frustrated as the pitch may have been playable by seven, but the referee has to make an early decision at lunchtime. “The referee had a decision to make, but with the groove that we’re in, we want to keep playing games. “We’re a bit frustrated, but we have to use that on Saturday. It would’ve been a good time to play the game in conditions that probably would have suited us.” The boss also outlined his plans for the remainder of the January transfer window. “We’re generally happy with the squad. There is no need for wholesale changes. You see clubs bringing in four or five players, but we’re fortunate to be in the position of being happy with the squad. “We’ll just do a bit of tinkering. A couple [of incomings] would be nice.” There was also an update on skipper Ollie Clarke, who is expected to be fit in time for the weekend’s clash with Walsall. “He [Clarke] has an opportunity to be fit [for Walsall]. He’s been out for two or three weeks, so whether he’ll come straight back in, we’re not sure. “But it will certainly be nice to have him back in the squad and available. And that’s probably the only positive in having the [Bolton] game off. “Whenever it’s rearranged for, he [Clarke] should be around and fit.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow. --------------------- Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags: "A couple [of incomings] would be nice. And there could be the same number, or maybe three, going out. "Some of it will depend on loans with the National League. We've got young players like Aaron O'Driscoll who needs to go out and play. The National League is still going at the moment, but for how long we're not sure. So the loans out may depend on that situation." Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham (video on iFollow): "The problem we had was that the referee wanted to make a decision before Bolton travelled." -------------------- Nigel Clough on why Mansfield v Bolton could have gone ahead and Wanderers boost in rearranged game manchestereveningnews.co.uk, By John McDougall, 27 JAN 2021 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes his side's postponed match against Bolton Wanderers might have been able to go ahead as planned after all. The League Two clash at the One Call Stadium was called off after lunchtime following a frozen pitch in Nottinghamshire. The game has now been rearranged for Tuesday, February 2. Reflecting on the postponement made yesterday, Stags boss Clough admitted his frustration and disappointment that the game could not go ahead. Mansfield have won their last five games in succession in League Two while the Trotters, by contrast, are without a win in six. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/clough-bolton-mansfield-postponed-rearranged-19710827 And Clough felt the pitch at the One Call Stadium may have been playable by the scheduled kick-off time of 7pm yesterday, while the Stags would have also played this evening had it been an option. Clough told the club's YouTube channel: "I'm disappointed and frustrated, but it's understandable once frost gets in the ground and the severe weather we've had in the last few days, it's difficult to remedy that and there's nothing you can do. "I'm just frustrated as well that I think it might have even been playable by seven, 7:30, but the referee's got to make an early decision at lunchtime. It was thawing, it was raining, to what degree that would have been enough, I'm not sure, but he has a decision to make. "Even if it had been tonight, we'd have definitely played. When you're in the groove that we're in and winning games, you want to keep playing. I'm a little bit frustrated but we have then use that for Saturday." Wanderers have been handed a boost for when the game will be played next week. Defender Ryan Delaney would have missed last night's encounter had it taken place owing to the red card he was shown against Tranmere Rovers. But because this will now be served in this weekend's game against Leyton Orient, Delaney should be available to face the Stags. Clough said: "I think Bolton had a player missing, Ryan Delaney, who was sent off last Saturday, so he would have been suspended. "We know Ryan from Burton so that would have been one less threat certainly from set plays, but it would have been a good time to play in conditions that probably would have suited us." ------------------- Mansfield boss and groundsman have their say on Bolton postponement theboltonnews.co.uk, By Suzanne Geldard, Wednesday 27th January 2021 MANSFIELD Town's boss and groundsman have both expressed their frustration at their game with Bolton Wanderers being called off. The game was scheduled to be played on Tuesday night only to fall foul of the weather and be called off in the afternoon due to a frozen pitch. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19043420.mansfield-boss-groundsman-say-bolton-postponement/ But the Football League have moved quickly to rearrange it and the two teams are now due to meet at the One Call Stadium next Tuesday, kick-off 7pm. However, Stags boss Nigel Clough said a postponement was the last thing they needed amid a five-game winning run. “The referee had a decision to make, but with the groove that we’re in, we want to keep playing games," said Clough. “We’re a bit frustrated, but we have to use that on Saturday. It would’ve been a good time to play the game in conditions that probably would have suited us. “We’re disappointed and frustrated [with the postponement], but it’s understandable. Once frost gets in the ground, it’s hard to remedy. “We’re frustrated as the pitch may have been playable by seven, but the referee has to make an early decision at lunchtime." The timing of the postponement was a particular frustration to Mansfield's groundsman, Michael Merriman, who took to Twitter to have his say. "1230 inspection gets called for a 7 kick off , then perfect at 4 oclock , my heads gone - all to stop a team travelling 1 and half hours," he tweeted. A follower replied: "Who called the inspection that early Mez? Surely common sense is to at least have another at say 3pm - allows plenty of time for away team / officials and staff to all travel ... crazy call (not on you btw!)" Merriman responded: "It’s how it works , I wanted to give it a chance and check again at 3 but he came off the phone and they had called it." Wanderers groundsman Michael Steele had sympathy for his frustrated counterpart, tweeting: "Bit of an early call that really, temps were picking up as the day went on, been a slow thaw for us at the training ground today." Merriman replied: "It’s because you was (sic) leaving at 145 and they try and stop teams travelling nowadays, I understand if it’s a few hours away but not an hour an half. "To be fair to him it was hard at 1230 but like you say temperatures rising through the day and light rain." Another follower added: "Can't they unpostpone the game and play at 8?", to which Merriman said: "They called it early nothing to do with it being at 7." ---------------------- Mansfield Town gearing up for stern test at Walsall chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Wednesday 27th January 2021 Nigel Clough knows Mansfield Town are in for a tough test when they travel to Walsall at the weekend. The Saddlers have gone off the boil in the last five games and have slipped to 11th in the League Two table. But Clough knows Walsall are more than capable of ending Stags’ five game winning run. “Walsall are a very solid team who are more than capable of causing bother,” said Clough. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-gearing-stern-test-walsall-3114260 “They are on the verge of the play-offs and it will be a tough one. "It will be a similar game to the Southend one and we need to make sure we don't make mistakes. I fancy us to score, I fancy us to get a game in every game. “They are a dangerous team, like quite a few teams in the league. “Every time you play a Darrell Clarke team you’re in for a tough time - in the right way. He wants his teams to compete.” Mansfield drew 1-1 at home to Walsall in October as Nigel Clough watched on from the stands. Since that game Stags have enjoyed a major change in fortunes, with Clough citing increased confidence as a key factor. “Walsall at home was the first game I saw,” he added. “It was a very even game that day. Confidence in the team has come on since then. It has been a big thing. “It is amazing that ten weeks ago we were talking about the first win and now here we are with five on the spin. “We have formed a good relationship with the players quickly. “We feel close to them which is a good thing, that normally takes 4-5 months to build up so it has made settling in much easier. “Walsall will give a stern test and a good test.” --------------------- Nigel Clough is loving life at Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Wednesday 27th January 2021 Stags top the League Two form table since Clough took charge on 6th November and are currently on a 29 year club record winning streak in the Football League. And it is making life at the One Call Stadium rather enjoyable for the Mansfield manager. “You always enjoy it when you're winning, it's much better than when you are not,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-loving-life-mansfield-town-3114493 “It is much better than when you are looking over the shoulder at the bottom two.” Clough is also happy to be bringing some cheer to the fans as times continue to be tough. “We don’t get to see the fans after a game and see the smile on their faces after wins,” said Clough. “We hope people are watching the games on iFollow and enjoying watching their team win. “It is a very small difference we can make to cheer people up. I was watching the local news and seeing how full Kings Mill Hospital is. “If we can get a result and put a smile on some faces it is good.” --------------------- Clarke shares fond memories from time at Mansfield saddlers.co.uk, Fri 29 Jan 2021 Walsall manager Darrell Clarke has fond memories of watching and playing for Mansfield Town and is looking forward to tomorrow’s game at the Banks’s Stadium. The Saddlers boss grew up in the town and spent six years as a player with the Stags. Mansfield have won five matches in a row and have turned their fortunes around under Nigel Clough. Clarke has good memories of his time with Mansfield and shared some of his memories. "I was born in the town, in a rough estate in Ladybrook,” Clarke said. "My granddad used to be a steward at the football club and I used to go when I was six-years-old and sit on the wooden stands of the old Field Mill ground and always dreamed about playing for them. "I managed to play 150 games for them, my hometown club. https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2021/january/clarke-shares-fond-memories-from-time-at-mansfield/ "But it's also a club that relegated me with Bristol Rovers into the Conference, and in our own kit may I add. "Nigel has gone in there, he's a cracking manager who has done a great job. He's managed some top clubs and has a healthy squad there. "They were one of the League Two favourites at the start of the season. "Nigel has gone in there, got them organised and well drilled and they're moving in the right direction in the league.” The Saddlers have had a free week to prepare for tomorrow’s game after Tuesday’s match against Crawley Town was moved to March and Clarke was pleased to have another solid week on the training pitch. "It's always good to get on the training pitch and get working away with the lads. "With the bad weather this winter and last winter we're getting to close to nine months of me here as a manager where we haven't got a full-sized grass pitch. "We're privileged that we have a full-size 4G on the side of the stadium that we use - we don't want to go on the pitch and damage it. "Getting a full week on the training pitch is always beneficial.” ----------------------- |
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