Archived News from April 2022
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CLOUGH AND BISHOP INTERVIEWS PRE FOREST GREEN
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It’s ‘good to be in the mix’ - gaffer
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 4th April 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says it’s ‘good to be in the mix’ for promotion ahead of tomorrow evening’s encounter away at the division’s ‘outstanding team,’ Forest Green Rovers. With eight matches left to play in Sky Bet League Two, the Stags sit sixth in the league table; level on points with third place Port Vale having played a game less. Speaking to the local media in this afternoon’s news conference, the boss welcomed the test of facing a table-topping Rovers’ side that have conceded just 14 times at The Fully Charged New Lawn this season. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/april/its-good-to-be-in-the-mix--gaffer/ “I’ve never known it [the hunt for promotion] be so close with teams [separated by] just a point or two all the way down to tenth, eleventh in the league,” said Nigel. “It’s good to be in the mix [for promotion]. “It’s good to be fighting for it. “We’ve come from second from bottom. None of the other teams have had that sort of run [without a win]. “They [Forest Green] ground out another 1-0 [win against Scunthorpe at the weekend]. “That’s the sign of a good team. “They’re not playing particularly well, but they’re still grinding out results and they’re still keeping clean sheets.” Although tomorrow evening’s opposition have seen their gap to second in Sky Bet League Two decrease in recent weeks, the boss still believes the Green are the best side in the division. “I don’t think Forest Green are as fluent as they were earlier on in the season,” the boss said. “They’ve had a bit of a stop, start few weeks with their fixtures. “Still, they are the outstanding team in the league.” The gaffer’s side head to Nailsworth tomorrow with the added confidence of setting a new club record of 11 successive home league victories on Saturday against Northampton, a performance that pleased the boss. “I thought it was as good a performance and as impressive [a display] as we’ve had. “To break the record is almost incidental. “It’s a great achievement and everything but there’s a bigger picture at the moment [getting promotion]. “It is a wonderful achievement and I thought out of all the 11 victories at home [that] Saturday was as impressive as any. “I thought we thoroughly deserved our victory.” The Stags’ list of absentees has grown in recent weeks. The manager provided an update on his squad’s fitness. “We lost James Perch with illness on the day of the game [on Saturday],” the gaffer said. “Faz Rawson [is] just coming back from illness. “Jamie Murphy and Rhys Oates are both the major doubts with muscle injuries which unfortunately you get at this time of the season when they’ve played 40 odd games. “Those two are doubtful but we’ll give them every opportunity to be fit because they’re so important for us.” Another member of the squad not to feature in recent games is striker Danny Johnson. The Stags’ number 11 has struggled to get back into the side after injuring his ankle in November. When asked about the former Leyton Orient frontman the boss said: “We’re just trying to say [to Johnson]: ‘keep going and keep being ready’. “It’s been unbelievably difficult for him [not to feature in games]. “Since he got injured, we’ve had these 28 games in all competitions - we’ve won 20 of them, drawn four and lost four. “Nobody can really complain with that sort of thing, and he hasn’t to be fair to him. “He’s as disappointed as anybody. “He could still make a difference in the last eight games. “That’s his job as a professional footballer [to be ready to go if called upon] and all of them as well.” Ahead of tomorrow evening’s encounter with the league leaders, the club have arranged free coach transport for supporters heading to The Fully Charged New Lawn. “It’s a lovely gesture,” Nigel said. “All these little things matter to supporters. Anything we can do for them, I think, is much appreciated. “The next one [fixture] is the most important one and that is Forest Green.” Watch the manager's news conference in full by clicking here. -------------- Ultimate test as Mansfield Town take chase for third place to leaders Forest Green Rovers chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 4th April 2022 Mansfield Town head for the ultimate test at League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers tomorrow night with Nigel Clough's men still in the hunt for automatic promotion with just eight games to go. “I think Exeter are in such a good run of form and such a good team that I think the top two are nearly done and we are all fighting for that third automatic or the play-offs after that,” said Clough. “I have never known it be so close with so many teams with just a point or two between them all the way down to 10th/11th who can still make the play-offs. So it's going to be exciting. “It's good to be in the mix. It's good to be fighting for it. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/ultimate-test-as-mansfield-town-take-chase-for-third-place-to-leaders-forest-green-rovers-3639976 “If we are good enough in the last eight games to get in that top seven, and I hope we are, bear in mind where we came from. We came from second bottom. We lost to Northampton and the week after we lost to Exeter and went second to bottom in the league. “None of the other teams have had this sort of run. They have always been there or thereabouts. “Someone told me over the last 24 league games we have had 10 more points than Forest Green which is incredible in itself.” He added: “With eight games to go we want wins. One point tomorrow would not be a bad result going away to top of the league, going into Saturday and keeping this little unbeaten run going. But we will go there, as always, to win.” After a run of poor results saw their lead at the top cut, Rovers have since managed two 1-0 wins away at Colchester and at home to bottom side Scunthorpe. “I don't think Forest Green are as fluent as they were earlier on in the season though they could click into gear at any time,” said Clough. “They've had a bit of a stop-start few weeks as well with fixtures. But they are still the outstanding team in the league.” Rovers are League Two's top scorers and have conceded just 10 goals in their 19 home games at the New Lawn. “That says everything about them, especially at home,” said Clough. “They have now ground out two 1-0 wins in a row with nothing in the game in either game. That's the sign of a good team. They're not playing particularly well but they're still keeping clean sheets and still winning.” Stags have major doubts over Rhys Oates, Jamie Murphy and James Perch, though Rovers could be without injured hotshot Matty Stevens. “Jamie Murphy and Rhys Oates are the major doubts, both with muscle injuries which, unfortunately you get at this time of the season when they've played 40-odd game over eight tough months of football,” said Clough. “That's why we've been trying to give them a little break here and there, especially Rhys Oates at Hartlepool. It has become evident now why we did that. “They are both doubtful but we will give them every opportunity to be fit as they are so important for us. We will find out if James Perch has recovered from his illness tomorrow. “There are others just carrying knocks from the game and the run of games.” Stags will head down tomorrow afternoon, Clough adding: We speak to the lads regularly and they can dictate what they feel is the best preparation for them. “We know what we used to do 20-30 years ago which was good for us, but it's changed. “We always trained on the morning of a night match when we were at Forest. Players these days are not so keen on it and we respect that. “We will just go down in the afternoon, stop for some pre-match just south of Birmingham and then make our way straight to the game.”This fixture was fogged off just after kick-off on 18th January and Mansfield Town have offered to pay those frustrated fans' coach costs to be able to make the trip a second time. Clough said: “It's brilliant. Again, it's another gesture and all these little things matter to supporters. “With things so tight at the moment with what's going on, any little thing we can do for them I think is much appreciated.” --------------- Don’t let all this season’s efforts be for nothing, urges Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 4th April 2022 Should Mansfield Town miss out on promotion this season, boss Nigel Clough said the disappointment would have to be put into perspective, but urged his players to not let all the effort be for nothing. Stags are superbly placed with eight games to go, only outside the top three automatic promotion places on goal difference. And ahead of tomorrow's tough trip to leaders Forest Green Rovers, boss Nigel Clough said: “We would be disappointed if we didn't get promotion now, but we would put it into perspective. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/dont-let-all-this-seasons-efforts-be-for-nothing-urges-mansfield-town-manager-nigel-clough-3640001 “We came in when the team were fighting relegation last season with all the Covid problems and we finished in a respectable position from there. “We started this season well and we have had a hell of a season, whatever happens, in terms of entertainment, ups and downs, all that sort of thing. “Everything that got thrown at us within a two or three month period was incredible. To come through that and be in the position we're in is a brilliant achievement. “We will now do everything we can to make that count.” He added: “We don't want all this to be to no avail. We want it to count for something come the end of the season. We don't want the heartbreak of missing out on anything. “We have got ourselves into a good position. Forest Green is one of our games in hand - if not the game in hand on some teams - and we've got to make it count for our efforts all over the season. “Everybody was together here through the bad run and that's what got us through it which is why we hope the rewards will be special come May.” ---------------- Frustrated Danny Johnson told to be ready for the call to action for Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 4th April 2022 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough has told unlucky striker Danny Johnson to just be ready for his chance as he continues to miss out on selection. Johnson was an exciting summer signing but didn't have the best of starts and, while scoring a hat-trick in an EFL Trophy game in early October, picked up an injury just as promotion-chasing Stags embarked on a sensational run of results that have left him a frustrated spectator. However, Clough said Johnson could yet play a vital part as Stags chase promotion with seven games to go. “We tell Danny - just keep going and be ready,” said Clough. “It has been unbelievably difficult for him. Since he got injured we've had 28 games in all competitions and we have won 20 of them, drawn four and lost four. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/frustrated-danny-johnson-told-to-be-ready-for-the-call-to-action-for-mansfield-town-3642177 “Nobody can really complain with that sort of record - and he hasn't to be fair to him. He can't say the team isn't winning or playing well as we're doing both. “But he could still make a difference in the last eight games. That's his job now as a professional footballer - and all of them as well.” Clough added: “Jason Law came on at Hartlepool after 20 minutes - and he didn't expect to go on. I thought for the first half he wasn't ready. Second half he grew into the game and did really well. “All of them now, it's their job to be ready for whether it's five minutes or a start - just be ready. We keep having a chat and Danny says 'I know'. “If we'd got to the situation on Saturday that we should have done where we are two or three goals ahead he comes on and gives somebody a breather. We've not had that luxury.” ------------------- Goalkeeper gives plaudits to defence https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/april/goalkeeper-gives-plaudits-to-defence/ Speaking prior to tomorrow night’s trip to league leaders Forest Green Rovers, Stags’ number one Nathan Bishop has hailed the defensive unit ahead of him. The 22-year-old was reflecting on a fine 1-0 victory against fellow promotion rivals Northampton Town last Saturday as the amber and blue moved into the play-off places once more. The defensive unit helped the Stags to a new club-record of 11 consecutive home league victories. When talking about the back four at a news conference today, Bishop said: “They are ‘huge’ and honestly, I look at every single one of them and I am grateful for what they do. “I’ve got Elliott [Hewitt] at right-back who can run all day for the team, I’ve got two centre-halves that have got a bond like no other and I’ve got Macca [Stephen McLaughlin] on the other side who is an experienced head that goes forward, comes back and does everything for us. “Alongside the defence, the talking also comes from midfield,” said Bishop “The talkers are also in midfield with Quinny [Stephen Quinn] who never stops talking all game, Hawks [Oli Hawkins] and JJ [John-Joe O’Toole] constantly communicate with each other, Macca [Stephen McLaughlin] communicating with Hawks and Elliott [Hewitt] communicating with JJ. It is a good link and it works really well when they are communicating with each other.” Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Forest Green Rovers, the goalkeeper recognised the strength of the league leaders, but says the Stags will be travelling with the aim of getting a win. “They are a great side and they play good football as well, but we are going there to simply focus on ourselves, what we can do as a team and how good we are as individuals. “The plan is to get the win and that is what we need to do.” When asked about the final eight games of the season, he said: “It is one game at a time and one opponent at a time, so you have to deal with it like that. “You can be bottom of the league playing top of the league or you could be mid-table playing top of the league, but it does not matter. “Anyone can beat anyone and it just shows that you have to be on your A-game all of the time. We got a good win last weekend against Northampton and we’ll go and play Forest Green but Scunthorpe at the weekend will be a whole different challenge.” Watch Bish's interview on iFollow Stags now by clicking here. ---------------- |
Latest | April 2022