Archived News from May 2022
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CLOUGH AND McLAUGHLIN PREVIEW 2nd LEG
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Boss calls for side to show typical spirit and fight
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 16th May 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has called for his squad to show the same ‘spirit and fight’ that they have ‘all season’ in the Stags’ play-off semi-final second leg away at Northampton Town on Wednesday evening. The gaffer’s side head to Sixfields with a one-goal lead after a fine 2-1 victory over the Cobblers at One Call Stadium on Saturday. The hard-fought win displayed the fighting character of a Mansfield side that have won 14 of the club’s previous 16 home league outings. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/may/boss-calls-for-side-to-show-typical-spirit-and-fight/ Speaking to the local media in today’s news conference, Nigel called for his squad to produce a typically gutsy performance on the road in midweek. “Above all, [we need] the same spirit and fight that we’ve shown all season,” he said. “[We want] Not to concede obviously, I think that the first sort of 15 minutes of the game will be crucial. “We like to take the game to teams on any given day, so we’ll be trying to do the same on Wednesday.” Despite leading the tie, the manager was not entirely satisfied, with his side’s lead being halved in the second-half of the first leg. “[It was a] Good result, not so good a performance. We’d have liked to have kept a clean sheet,” said the boss. “We were a little bit unlucky I thought [to concede], we were very close to getting a block in on the goal we conceded but it was probably a fair result on the evening. “I thought we started [the first] ten or 15 minutes fine. In the second-half [we were] searching for that third goal but then the [Northampton] goal at the hour mark gave them some impetus and they put us under pressure. “I thought the two centre-halves, especially, stood up to it [the Cobblers’ pressure] and defended extremely well to enable us to have that lead.” A victory on Wednesday night would record the club’s first trip to Wembley since an FA Trophy clash with Darlington in 2011. “When you’re 90 minutes away from a trip to Wembley, it’s a huge incentive and everybody can’t wait,” Nigel said. “It’s [the chance to play at Wembley] something that we have to use as a motivation. We’re at the end of a long, hard season but that doesn’t matter. “I think it’s the teams and the players that really put that [the physical demands of playing over 46 matches] to one side [that are successful].” The manager provided an update on midfielder Matty Longstaff’s fitness after the 22-year-old was withdrawn in the first leg. “There was a few [knocks picked up on Saturday night] so we’ll be assessing them. “We’ll be assessing one or two knocks wise, injury wise and how they feel physically. “Matty Longstaff just said he felt ‘shattered’ [in the first leg], it was just one of those games. “He just felt under par, so we’ll see how he is and one or two others.” Experienced midfielder Stephen Quinn was also taken off in the home encounter. When asked about the Stags’ number 16 the boss said: “I would think he’s [Quinn] doubtful. He’s playing with this [hip] injury that he’s had now for a few weeks. “He wasn’t moving particularly well I didn’t think against Northampton on Saturday, so we’ll just see how he is. “There are one or two others - Matty Longstaff as well George Maris, Stephen McLaughlin, so we’ll check on them all.” As well as Quinn, numerous other members of the Stags’ squad have experienced play-off success previously. The manager believes that experience will be a useful tool ahead of such a huge fixture at Sixfields. “Anybody who has been there in the circumstances is vital to sort of spread their knowledge and experience of how to deal with it [the pressure],” he said. “We’ll be calling on all of those [with play-off experience] and it’s good that it’s an experienced squad because I think we’ll need it on Wednesday night.” The Stags will be backed by a sold-out away allocation of 1,468 supporters on Wednesday. “I think we’d have taken whatever [to Sixfields]. We could’ve possibly taken the stadium over if we’d have had the opportunity,” said the gaffer. “We had 6,000 making the noise of about 16,000 the other night at One Call [Stadium] and I know they’ll make an awful lot of noise again [in the second leg]. “I think it was lovely to finish the [home] season, although it was a play-off game, with a win. “[That’s] Fourteen [wins] out of sixteen [home league matches], it’s two thirds of a season. “[It’s an] Incredible record really and now we’ve got to do something on the road. “[The] Home season is done, let’s get a result on the road.” Watch the manager's news conference in full now by clicking here. ----------------- Injury concerns for Mansfield Town ahead of crucial play-offs showdown at Northampton Town chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 16th May 2022 Mansfield Town will make late checks on at least four of their players ahead of tomorrow night's crucial League Two play-off semi-final at Northampton Town. Stags ended Saturday's first leg at home with a 2-1 lead but also with several players struggling. “There are a few knocks, so we will be assessing them,” said boss Nigel Clough. “Matty Longstaff said he felt shattered on Saturday. It happens with footballers young or old. He just felt under par, so we'll see how he is. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/injury-concerns-for-mansfield-town-ahead-of-crucial-play-offs-showdown-at-northampton-town-3697407 “Stephen Quinn is doubtful. He's playing with this hip injury he has had for a few weeks and wasn't moving particularly well on Saturday. “Then there is George Maris and Stephen McLaughlin too. We will check on them all. “But midfield is an area where we have lots of options. Look at the bench on Saturday. “Keiran Wallace came on and did very well again and then there is George Lapslie, Ryan Stirk and Ollie Clarke. We have some good midfielders challenging for places. It's an area you need that competition.” Clough is hoping his most experienced stars will help the others through what will be a hugely testing night tomorrow. “Anyone with previous experience of these circumstances is vital in spreading their knowledge in how to deal with it,” he said. “It is good we have an experienced squad as we will need it on Wednesday night. “We will need cool, heads, calm heads and a bit of composure. And above all, the same spirit and fight we have shown all season - and not to concede. “The first 15 minutes of the game is going to be absolutely crucial. We like to take the game to teams home and away, so we will be trying to do the same on Wednesday. “We expect them to throw everything at us in that first 15 minutes, but we will be trying to do some damage ourselves. “Trying to get a goal will be absolutely vital for us. “It's the same for any away game. It starts with a clean sheet intact. If we do that we're in the game. “It would be a very risky way to go about it to say we're going to defend for 90 minutes. I don't think we're that sort of team. “It could be a long night - up to two hours and possibly penalties. We have to be prepared for that. We have been practising penalties since the Forest Green game.” Clough hopes that the incentive of a Wembley final will also be a big factor. “We are trying to get promoted, but the incentive of getting to Wembley, which you have to do to achieve that, is a considerable one for the players - and for the supporters - who've never been there,” he said. “The players know where we're going if they win and they know what they have to do. It's just whether we can do it on the night. “When you are 90 minutes away from a trip to Wembley, it is a huge incentive and everyone can't wait. “It is something we have to use as a motivation. I know it's the end of a long, hard season. But I think it's the teams and the players that really put that to one side. “No one epitomises it more than Liverpool. They have won two cups on penalties. They have played more games than anybody yet they're still challenging on four fronts. “Whether it goes to penalties on Wednesday or not, that's the sort of mental strength you need. “There was only one 2-0 victory and that was Wycombe early on at home, and they were playing against 10 men which I think made a difference. “Every other play-off game has been a draw or a one-goal deficit in it. “When you're playing teams that have been up there all season it's going to be closely contested games. “Nerves kick in, everyone is a bit edgy. It is very difficult for teams to play their normal game in those circumstances.” Clough was pleased to sign off at home with the first leg win. “It was lovely to finish the home season with a win - that's 14 out of 16, which is two thirds of the season. It's an incredible record really. Now we've got to do something on the road,” he said. “Northampton have to come out and try to get a goal. We don't have to, but with the way we play we will be trying to cause them problems. “But I think it's going to be how we defend more than anything. You can't afford to switch off. We will have to defend as if our lives depend on it and you wouldn't expect anything less in this situation. “It will give them a boost bringing their first choice goalkeeper back in.” Having a first leg lead is new territory for the Stags' management team. “In our two previous experiences of the play-offs we were level after the first leg at Burton and losing after a home tie at Sheffield United,” said Clough. “We've never gone into a second leg with a lead. So that feels a little bit different and nicer. It's something to hang onto.” Stags have sold out of their away tickets allocation of almost 1,500 and Clough added: “I think we'd be taking the whole stadium with us if we could. “We had about 6,000 making the noise of 16,000 the other night. I know they will make an awful lot of noise again.” -------------------- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61403413 There are one or two knocks in the Mansfield camp too, with Matty Longstaff, George Maris and Stephen McLaughlin to be assessed. The Stags are looking to return to the third tier for the first time since 2003 and boss Nigel Clough has cited former club Liverpool as an example of how to rise to a challenge at the end of a long, hard season. "It's the teams and the players that put that to one side (that come out on top). I don't think anyone epitomises that more than Liverpool, they've won two cups on penalties, I think, and they've played more games than anybody," he told BBC Radio Nottingham. "Whether it's penalties or whatever on Wednesday night, that's the strength you need." The game will be played in front of a sell-out crowd with Brady urging the Northampton fans to drive his team on from the first minute to the last. "We need cool heads, calm heads, a bit of composure and above all the same spirit and fight that we have shown all season," added Clough. "I think the first 15 minutes will be crucial. But it's the same approach to any away game, we start with a clean sheet. We want to try and keep that intact but it's very risky to say we're going to defend for 90 minutes because I don't think we're that sort of team." -------------------- Nigel Clough told Craig Priest for Mansfield 103.2 that we've been practicising penalties since after the Forest Green game. Clough on Sinclair: "He didn't take the form he showed at the back end of last season into this season. And we've improved as well. So there's a couple of factors there. He's needs to play regular football and we couldn't offer him that. He struggled a little bit at Scunthorpe along with the team." Clough on Cooper and Gale: "I think they will probably go out on loan again (next season). They will be back pre-season and we'll take it from there. We feel as though getting them out on loan at the highest level .. they've both been out at Conference North ... at a young age, is the best way to develop them. We've seen a big difference with them since they've been out on loan when they've come back and trained with us." --------------------- Tyrese Sinclair’s failure to shine at struggling Scunthorpe United so costly as youngster is shown the door at Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 16th May 2022 Young winger Tyrese Sinclair's failure to shine on loan in a poor Scunthorpe United side that was relegated contributed to his release from Mansfield Town. The 21-year-old was one of six young professionals shown the door last week which will be seen as disappointing after he emerged excitingly through the club academy into the first team last season. “From the form he showed just over a year ago when he got into the team at the back end of last season, I don't think Tyrese took that on this season,” said manager Nigel Clough, who has continued to have him watched on his loan spell this season. “We have improved as well, so there are a couple of factors there. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/tyrese-sinclairs-failure-to-shine-at-struggling-scunthorpe-united-so-costly-as-youngster-is-shown-the-door-at-mansfield-town-3697702 “He needs to go out and play regular football and we couldn't offer him that here. “He has had a tough loan at Scunthorpe. But it was also a chance for him to shine a little bit. In a team that is struggling you always see one or two players shine. “We have taken players from relegated sides because they do stand out. “But Tyrese struggled a little bit along with the team.” Clough did give new deals to promising young duo, centre half George Cooper and striker James Gale, but said: “I think they will probably go back out on loan again if we have a squad that's strong enough. “They will be on the fringes of it. They will be with us pre-season and we'll see how they come back. “We work closely with Richard Cooper at the academy and we feel that getting them out on loan at the highest level, they have both been out at Conference North at a young age, is the best way to develop them. “I think we've seen a big difference in them since they've been out on loan when they have come back and trained with us. So I think that is the model going forward.” ------------------- Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes his side have already shown they have the character needed to complete play-offs mission chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 16th May 2022 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes his side have already shown they have the character needed to get the job done on Wednesday as they head to Northampton Town with a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final. He also said that if the tie went against them the club was in a far better place than a year ago and it would not be the end of the world. “We will need character on Wednesday,” said Clough. “But one of the main reasons we are here is character. “To recover from the position we were in in October to actually get to this stage is down to that. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-believes-his-side-have-already-shown-they-have-the-character-needed-to-complete-play-offs-mission-3696248 “I don't think we were ever going to get relegated but I think a lot of teams in our situation would have ended up halfway, a bottom half finish. “I think everyone would have expected that a third of the way through the season. “Whatever happens on Wednesday night we are in good shape as a club. “If the worst comes to the worst and we get knocked out, we get knocked out. “But from where we've come as a club we're in a good position at the moment compared to where we were 12 months ago.” He added: “Some people forget that and if we do get knocked out, even on penalties, it's the end of the world. “But it's not. We've got a good squad intact going forward. “Someone said if we'd started the season in October we'd have won the league. Whatever happens we're in a good place. “It's taken Forest Green and Exeter five or six years to get up while Bristol Rovers and Northampton came down but they are strong and have a lot of League One players.” Clough is delighted to be going into the game with a lead and believes his side can play better than they did in Saturday's first leg. “I think we're pretty relaxed at the moment. We've tried to keep it that way for the past 10 days,” he said. “It was a good result on Saturday though not so good a performance. I think the goals masked that a little bit. We scored two excellent goals, though I understand the first one was just offside. “We didn't get it down and play as well as we can. We can play better than that. “We would have liked to have kept a clean sheet. And we'd like to have kept the two-goal lead. But at the start of the night we'd have taken a lead of any sort. Now we know exactly what we have to do. “It was quite similar to the Swindon v Port Vale game. Swindon were 2-0 ahead but good teams are always going to come back into it. “You are not going to dominate the 90 minutes and they are going to have chances. “I thought we were a little bit unlucky as we were very close to getting a block in with the goal we conceded, but it was probably a fair result on the evening.”He continued: “I thought first 10-15 minutes we started the second half well, searching for that third goal. But then their goal changed everything about the hour mark. “It gave them some impetus and they put us under pressure. I thought our two centre halves especially stood up to it and defended extremely well to enable us to have this lead.” --------------------- Squad is best I’ve been in - defender mansfieldtown.net, Monday 16th May 2022 Defender Stephen McLaughlin says the current Stags’ squad is the ‘the best I have been in’ ahead of Mansfield’s much-anticipated play-off semi-final second leg at Sixfields, Northampton, on Wednesday. In a news conference this morning at RH Academy - the club’s training ground - the 31-year-old also spoke about the Stags’ turnaround from the start of the season to seal a top-seven league finish. The left-back also reflected on last Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Northampton in the play-off semi-final first leg at One Call Stadium. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/may/squad-is-best-ive-been-in--defender/ McLaughlin, who recently scooped four Player of the Season trophies, said: “The dressing room is the best I have been in. “Everybody works together and we are amazing together. “On the pitch, when we went on that bad run [that saw the Stags languishing in the bottom two of the league], no one was panicking from the staff to the players. “We knew that once it clicked, that we were going to do something special and I think to get the play-offs from where we were is a great achievement. “At the start of the season, a lot of things were happening. A good few new players came through the door as well, so it took time for them to settle down. “With a few injuries and suspensions from the lads, things were not able to settle down like it did with the other teams. Once we got settled down and into a rhythm, there was no stopping us really.” Reflecting on the play-off semi-final first leg at the weekend, McLaughlin said: “It was good [to play in the game against Northampton]. “We had a good first half and scored two good goals. Maybe we should have scored more but it is a good result for the first leg. “It was [crucial to have a lead heading into the second leg]. Other teams could have lost the game 3-2, but we dug it out and did what we needed to do.” The left-back looked forward to the play-off semi-final second leg at Sixfields Stadium with over 1,400 travelling Stags fans set to make the trip to Northamptonshire. “We are looking forward to it [Wednesday night’s second leg clash away at Sixfields]. It is a chance to get to Wembley and the boys are all buzzing ready to go again. “When they [Stags fans] travel in their numbers, it is brilliant. It has been like this all season and at some grounds that we have been to, it feels like we were the home team. “I cannot wait for it [Wednesday’s game away at Sixfields]. They have been amazing all season, with the drum banging and the fans singing from minute one to the 90th minute. “It has been brilliant all season and I cannot wait to hear it on Wednesday night.” Watch Macca's news conference in full now by clicking here. ----------------------- Mansfield Town star Stephen McLaughlin craving a second taste of Wembley play-off glory chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 16th May 2022 Stephen McLaughlin has already had a taste of success at Wembley Stadium - and now he is craving it again with Mansfield Town. The exciting left back, who picked up four player of the year awards last week, helped Southend United into League One at the famous stadium in 2015 and now can't wait for tomorrow night’s League Two play-off semi-final second leg at Northampton Town with Stags starting the game 2-1 up from the first leg. “We're looking forward to it. It's a chance to get to Wembley,” he said. “I have played there and it's a good day - the build-up the day before and going out and walking on the pitch. These are exciting times. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-star-stephen-mclaughlin-craving-a-second-taste-of-wembley-play-off-glory-3697394 “Not many people get to do it in their careers. So we've just got to embrace it and just play your best if you get there. “But we still have a big game to play on Wednesday and anything can happen in football. We just have to take it game by game and get the job done. “You have to play the game and not the occasion as they say. You have to take the emotion out of it and play your best football. If everyone does that I think we will be successful on Wednesday.” On Saturday's first leg he said: “We had a good first half and scored two good goals and should have had more. “But for a first leg it's a good result. The atmosphere was unbelievable from start to finish. “We know we didn't play our best football or anywhere near our capability. Hopefully we will on Wednesday. “Some teams could have lost that 3-2 or something, but we dug it out and did what we needed to do.” He added: “Northampton know they've got to win the game. You saw on Saturday they went long and they're going to do that again. They are going to get numbers forward and it's just about dealing with it and playing the game out. “Every game you play away from home the first 15 minutes is tough. It's nothing new to us. We know what they are like and we just have to match it and play our own football. “They have nothing to lose and will come at us, but we will be more than ready for it.” Stags will be backed by another huge sold-out away following at Sixfields and McLaughlin said: “Whenever they come in their numbers it's brilliant. It has been all season to be fair. “Some grounds we have gone to, you'd swear we were the home team the fans have been unbelievable, the drum banging and the singing for 90 minutes, it's great. “Speaking to fans before and after games, I know this means a lot to them. “They are starting to pick up in their numbers and can really see positives for the club and are really getting behind it. “It has been an unbelievable season. We've broken records along the way. “A few things haven't gone our way which was disappointing, but it has been a remarkable season. It has been a special season.” --------------------- Stephen McLaughlin now enjoying left back role at Mansfield Town as team mates vote him player of season chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 16th May 2022 Stephen McLaughlin admitted he has grown into and now enjoys his new full-time role as a left back which has just seen him scoop four player of the year awards. And as the Irish midfielder prepared to try to help Mansfield Town reach the League Two play-off final tonight, he admitted the players' player of the year was the one he cherished most as it meant his team mates were impressed by the job he had done in converting to a defender. “That meant a lot to me,” he said. “Any player will tell you that to get player's player of the year is a massive achievement with fellow players voting for you to say you've had a good season. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/stephen-mclaughlin-now-enjoying-left-back-role-at-mansfield-town-as-team-mates-vote-him-player-of-season-3699486 “I have been in England nearly 10 years now and I have never picked up this many awards. “I have had a good season, probably one of my best in England. I am really happy with it.” On becoming Stags' marauding left back, he said: “I did play there a wee bit last season. I played a number of positions. “But this season I've been the main left back. “It did take a little bit of getting used to with my positional sense and all. But the gaffer has been very good with it. “He has sat down and talked about different things that I need to be doing and bringing into my game which has helped me massively.” His interchanging with former Irish international Stephen Quinn down the left has been instrumental in Stags' fine season. “I have a licence going forward and me and Quinny have set up a good partnership. It just happened,” he said. “He is a very intelligent player so I am able to play off him, know where he is, and it's been enjoyable to play alongside him. We just clicked. “He's been around a lot, internationally, and it's his movement. He gives me space and we play one-twos. “We constantly feed each other information on what we can do to hurt the opposition and when we get it right we are unstoppable really. sometimes defenders don't know what to do. “We rotate all the time and it's been very enjoyable. “I feel like I have really kicked on in my game defensively and going forward as well.” McLaughlin added: “The dressing room is the best I have been in. “No one was panicking at the start of the season. We all knew once it clicked that we were going to do something special. “To get to the play-offs from where we were was a good achievement. Once we settled down and got into a rhythm there was no stopping us.” McLaughlin was struggling towards the end of Saturday's first leg but believes he will be okay to play at Northampton. “I am fine,” he said. “I was a wee bit tight in my hamstring but I was never going to come off. It's just one of those, maybe down to the long season. “I have played most of the games this season for probably the first time in a couple of years. But I am ready to go.” ---------------------- bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61403413 Northampton Town boss Jon Brady wants his team to 'get on the front foot early' in the home leg of their League Two play-off against Mansfield. The Cobblers have to overturn a 2-1 deficit if they are to face Swindon or Port Vale at Wembley on 28 May. They were two goals behind after 32 minutes of the first leg and cannot afford another sluggish start. "The players gained a lot of confidence and belief from the second half," Brady told BBC Radio Northampton. "They've got a goal advantage but we're at Sixfields, we've got our home fans, and we're looking forward to the challenge. "Second half (at Mansfield) was back to where we feel we can be and with a few more efforts on target, I'm sure we can start the game well and be on the front foot." Brady will check on the fitness of Louis Appere, Josh Eppiah and Aaron McGowan before finalising his team and he has a choice to make in goal between Liam Roberts, now free of suspension, and Jon Maxted. ------------------ JON BRADY - 'WE NEED THE FANS DRIVING US ON' Jon Brady previews the sold out play-off semi-final second leg against Mansfield Town at Sixfields on Wednesday night, kick-off 7.45pm. Mansfield hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg but boss Brady says the support of the Sixfields crowd will be a big help on Wednesday. “We need the crowd from the first whistle to the last, we need them picking us up and driving us on like they have done in key moments this season," he said. “I’m asking for all of them to really get behind us right from the first whistle with no lulls, just to really roar us on right the way through the whole game. “We are ready and we are going to throw everything at it. “I think the players finished the first leg strongly, we gained a lot of confidence and belief from the second half and we need to take that into Wednesday night. “Mansfield have a goal advantage but we are at home and we feel confident and strong in front of our fans. “We know it’s going to be a tough game, Mansfield are there for a reason and they are a good side but we are looking forward to the challenge. “The second half on Saturday was back to where we want to be and if we can have a few more efforts on target I’m sure we can start the game well and be on the front foot. “Both teams will be doing their utmost and really it comes down to who performs on the night but if we have eleven players on top of their game then we feel we can get the result we desire." --------------------- |
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