Archived News from February 2022
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DAILY MAIL ARTICLE ON NIGEL CLOUGH AND THE STAGS
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He wants to play the game just like his dad... and Nigel Clough's Mansfield Town are one of THE form teams in the country. But as a dugout at Harrogate recently found out, the Stags boss is NOT to be messed with! Sportsmail spoke to Nigel Clough about his side's record-breaking run of form Mansfield Town have won 12 out of 14 League Two matches and broke the club's record with a run of eight consecutive victories as they push for promotion Clough's commitment to standards and a love of the ball, which learned as a youngster under his father, Brian, at Nottingham Forest, are as strong as ever By CHARLIE WALKER FOR MAILONLINE, 8 February 2022 You can't keep a good man down, so it is no surprise that Nigel Clough is breaking records at Mansfield Town. Clough's team are the most in-form side in the Football League, and second only to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, across the top four divisions. The Stags' boss has led his players on a remarkable run that has seen them record 12 wins and a draw from their last 14 games, including a club record of eight consecutive victories. Mansfield are on a run that includes 12 wins and a draw in their last 14 League Two matches The hot streak has seen Mansfield rise into the play-off positions and the Stags sit sixth, three points off automatic promotion, as they prepare to face Colchester United. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10489605/Nigel-Cloughs-Mansfield-Town-one-form-teams-England-second-Manchester-City.html Now 55, with over 1,000 games in charge in a managerial career that has included Derby County, Sheffield United and Burton Albion twice, Clough's passion burns brighter than ever. And his commitment to the football values he learned as a youngster at Nottingham Forest in the 1980s, under his famous father Brian, remain strong and true. Namely, a commitment to standards, loyalty and a love of the ball. 'It is the same things we have done for the last 20 years and what we were brought up with,' Clough told Sportsmail, at the club's smart £3M training facility on the outskirts of the East Midlands town. 'It's not about the level.' The football in League Two can be fast and furious, but that does not stop Clough placing a demand on his players to use the ball wisely. 'We try to play a bit of football for a League Two side,' Clough observed with typical modesty, but he freely admits in a division where the competition is fierce across the pitch, it is not always possible and the objective is to win. 'You cannot always [be good with the ball],' he adds. 'You have to find different ways of winning games.' He sees set pieces as critical at both ends of the pitch and hard work and commitment are a given. It is interesting watching Clough on the touchline. For the most part, he cuts a calm figure, hands sunk deep in the pockets of his club-issue quilted jacket, but he explodes into life when his players fail to make the most of an opportunity to play. Clough inspires loyalty among his players and has created a strong team spirit at Mansfield Last time out at Harrogate Town, with Mansfield struggling to find their rhythm, Clough's frustration at misplaced passes on a cold, blustery night was obvious. Most of his interventions from the side-line were about better use of the ball. He winced when passes went astray, urging players to spread the play out of a congested midfield. 'He's in acres, he's in acres!' roared Clough after Mansfield went long despite full back, Stephen McLaughlin, being in space. 'Get on that ball and get it moving,' he urged his below-par midfield. 'Get hold of that ball,' he bellowed in frustration at his forwards until his voice was hoarse. After Mansfield gave the ball away twice in two minutes straight after half-time Clough spun round and booted the wall of the dugout in frustration, his cultured left foot inadvertently going clean through the thin Perspex. The manager often cuts a relaxed figure on the touchline but is passionate about his team The players got the message and started finding pockets of space, forcing Harrogate back towards their own goal. And by the end, the Stags were disappointed not to edge a win in a 0-0 draw. It says everything about Clough's enduring love of the game that after 38 years as a player and a manager, he is still massively motivated. When pressed Clough admits he has the same determination to succeed he always had, if not more. 'You get more disappointed at times,' Clough revealed. 'Those things have not lessened or eased. Or they haven't so far.' But it is also clear that Clough's focus is firmly on his players. Since he arrived at the One Call Stadium in November 2020 with the club 22nd in League Two, he has imposed his philosophy and strengthened the squad, but also worked hard to lift the confidence of the team. He talks warmly about all of the players, even when discussing a poor performance or an individual who is not in the starting eleven. There is a respect for everyone involved. The togetherness at Mansfield is a key ingredient in their current success, which is recognised by players and supporters. Nearly 600 fans made the midweek trip to Harrogate. However, success has come from adversity. After a couple of good results in early season, injuries and illness took their toll and the Stags went 12 games without a win. Mansfield broke the club's record for consecutive wins with a 2-0 victory over Leyton Orient The club's owners John and Carolyn Radford and chief executive David Sharpe were 'unwavering' in their support of Clough, who never doubted the team. 'There has been no lack of effort or commitment,' said Clough who is well aware that two managerial colleagues, Grant McCann at Hull City and Lee Johnson at Sunderland, have lost their jobs despite recent success. 'The supporters stuck with us. As long as they see a certain level of commitment and effort, they will stick with you and they have done. 'The owners and David Sharpe kept saying keep sticking at it. Their support was unwavering.' It is important to Clough that standards were maintained, even when results went against them. Owners of Mansfield Town John and Carolyn Radford have given their 'unwavering' support At Forest, Brian Clough had Nigel and his team mates running laps of the pitch the following day if the boss felt standards had slipped in a match, regardless of the result. They were even in after a 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic in the League Cup Final in 1990. That has not been required at Mansfield this season, according to Clough, who felt the performances were not too far away from what he was looking for, with the exception of a 2-0 defeat at Northampton Town, which still rankles. A turning point came at an early Christmas do in November, after a win at Crawley at the outset of their record-breaking run. The team bus diverted to central London, where the players had a night out, while Clough and the rest of the staff headed home back to the Midlands. 'Since then, I think we've won every game [in the league],' said club captain, Ollie Clarke, 29. 'It's brought everyone closer together. 'I think the lads are really fighting for each other and digging in deep. That's what we want to see. 'We knew we had it within ourselves to go on a good run.' It is clear the players respond to Clough and the loyalty cuts both ways. Players want to play for him. In the latest transfer window, Mansfield have brought in four players and three of them have played for the manager before. Former Scotland international Jamie Murphy, 32, has joined on loan from Hibernian, but played for Clough at Burton and Sheffield United. 'Obviously, having worked with the manager before I knew what he wants and [I'm excited] for the opportunity to come down [to England] and have a new challenge,' the forward told the club website. 'He's good. He's very fair. If you work hard for him then he'll work hard for you on and off the pitch. 'You want to repay him. You want to repay all the staff because they're all great, hopefully I can do that.' The most eye-catching signing, however, was to secure Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff on loan until the end of the season. Longstaff burst into the Premier League with a stunning goal against Manchester United on his debut in October 2019, but he has never established a run of games, making only 19 first team appearances in his career. A loan spell at Aberdeen did not work out and he decided to drop down to League Two after a telephone conversation with Clough. 'I got on the phone with the gaffer, and he said what a great run the club has been on,' said Longstaff, 21. '[The boss said] Hopefully we can get promoted and [mentioned] the fight [to get promotion] that is going ahead. 'Once he said that I jumped at the opportunity to come here.' It is hard to imagine he could have come to a better place. ------------------------- |
Latest | February 2022