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Archived News from December 2020

CLOUGH AND REID PREVIEW CRAWLEY
7th December 2020 23:36


Nigel Clough challenges fringe players to show what they can do
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 4th December 2020

Nigel Clough is challenging Mansfield Town’s squad members to play their way into first team contention.

The Stags gaffer has already identified the areas he wants to strengthen in the January transfer window.

But Clough says it’s not too late for fringe players to earn their chance.

“Players can change your mind very quickly,” he said. “Look at Jamie Reid, Nicky (Maynard) and Jordan (Bowery) were playing well and he was struggling to get a look in.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-challenges-fringe-players-show-what-they-can-do-3057934

“He had a chance, scored a goal and played exceptionally well and now he is back in my thoughts more than he was two weeks ago.

“We have got a couple of players in mind who we would like to bring in, but players have a chance over the next four weeks to change our mind.

“Everybody will get a chance. Even if it’s just half a game, everyone will get a chance.

“If they take that then we see them in a different light, but we will never disregard a player without giving them a chance.”

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Clough told iFollow Stags:
"McLaughlin and Perch are coming on very well, probably a little bit ahead of schedule.
"McLaughlin's going to be outside doing some training. He might feature in a friendly we've got set up for Tuesday at Forest for the squad and the younger players. Hopefully he'll feature in that, not sure he'll be ready for the Crawley game.
"And the same for Perch, he might be another week or so."

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Nigel Clough wants Mansfield Town to keep momentum going against Crawley Town
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 4th December 2020

Boss Nigel Clough wants Stags to build on their upturn in form when they host Crawley at the weekend.

Stags bagged their first league win in midweek at Cambridge to follow on from the FA Cup success against Dagenham.

And Clough now wants his side, who are yet to collect three league points at the One Call Stadium, to use that momentum and kick on up the table.

“We have had a good run in recent weeks and lost just the one game,” said Clough, “We want to continue the run and get above the one point per game average.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-wants-mansfield-town-keep-momentum-going-against-crawley-town-3057724

“We want to climb up the table and away from the danger zone. This is a step by step process and that is our first target.

“We need to maintain the standard we have set.”

Clough is keen for Stags to focus on their own game against an unpredictable Crawley.

“They have had a mixed start so we are not sure what to expect on the day from them.” he said.

“They are more than capable of winning games on the day, as are most teams in this league, so it’s just a case of how they turn up.

“We just need to focus on our own game and continue the good form we have shown of late. That will be the message to the lads.

“I just hope we are physically ok. The lads won’t be at their peak fitness because we have had two hard games this week.

“It might have a small effect but we hope the momentum, and the result and performance at Cambridge, will carry us through on Saturday.”

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Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough welcomes EFL rescue package
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 4th December 2020

Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough has backed the new EFL rescue package as a fair deal for all clubs.

The package will see Mansfield Town get at least £250,000 following the conclusion of negotiations between the EFL and Premier League to help clubs hit by the COVID-19 fall out.The deal will see Stags get a minimum grant of £250,000 to be paid immediately from a £30m relief pot for League One and Two sides.More cash could then follow based on a calculation of lost gate revenue during the 2019/20 and 20/21 seasons.

Clough said: “Anything that we can get in these times is a help and it is great they have come to a deal.

"It seems to be a fair deal and a fair calculation as to how they have done it. I’ve not heard too many clubs moaning anyway.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-welcomes-efl-rescue-package-3057652

"I’ve not seen the exact details, just the broad terms, but it seems fair that there is a different level of support to reflect different crowds sizes. Sunderland will get 30,000 whereas Accrington will get 2,500, so it’s only right there are different levels of support."

A further £20m ‘Monitored Grant’ is to be provided with clubs able to apply for it based on ‘need’, with a joint EFL and Premier League panel to determine club eligibility.

Clubs subsequently in receipt of a ‘monitored grant’ will be subject to certain restrictions, in respect to transfer spend and player wages.Clubs who keep to the restrictions will not have to repay any of the funding required, whereas for clubs in breach, the ‘monitored grant’ becomes repayable by the club.

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Jamie Reid ready to fight for Mansfield Town place
chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 4th December 2020

Stags striker Jamie Reid is hoping to bag plenty more after scoring his first League goal for Mansfield Town in midweek.

The former Torquay United hot-shot hit the winner as Stags beat Cambridge 1-0.

“It was nice to get off the mark in the league,” he said. “I scored against Scunthorpe (EFL Trophy) but it wasn't the same as scoring in the league.

“The first one is always the hardest, I probably should have had more and I need to sharpen up my finishing in training.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/jamie-reid-ready-fight-mansfield-town-place-3058024

“In the games I played in at the start of the season we didn’t create enough chances.

“Now the strikers are getting the chances and we just need to be more clinical.”

Reid knows he needs to keep up his current form to maintain his place in the side.

“It's important to try and keep the shirt because competition for places is tough,” he said.

“There are good players here who have played at a higher level than me.

“There's a bit of a step up from the National League. It's not massive, but the fitness is better and quality is a little better.

“I'm doing ok in training and it's not something I worry about. I know what I can do and I am backing myself.”

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Crawley Town's Lee Bradbury looking forward to facing former Manchester City teammate Nigel Clough
crawleyobserver.co.uk, By Mark Dunford, Friday 4th December 2020

Crawley Town's assistant head coach Lee Bradbury is expecting a tough trip to Mansfield Town.

The Reds face the Stags tomorrow (Saturday) and Nigel Cough's team have enjoyed a recent turn in form which has seen them progress in the FA Cup and beat Cambridge United away in the league.

Crawley Town set to receive at least £250,000 following rescue package agreement | Mansfield Town v Crawley Town preview: Reds on the road again as they face improving StagsBradbury, having played with Clough at Manchester City, knows what to expect but he hopes the Stags' home form doesn't improve just yet. He said: "It will be a tough one because they have just got a win.

"Nigel Clough has just gone in there and turned them around a little. They have had a formation change playing a diamond. He’ll get them playing and relaxed on the ball but working hard.

https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-towns-lee-bradbury-looking-forward-facing-former-manchester-city-teammate-nigel-clough-3057567

"He’s an old teammate of mine from Man City, so I know what his character is like, he will get them going I am sure. We just hope their home form continues to struggle this weekend and they can pick up after that."

Bradbury has been pleased with the way his side has bounced back following two home defeats. Last Sunday they beat AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the FA Cup before claiming a point on the road at Colchester United on Tuesday.

Bradbury said: "We are very pleased with the last two games.

"It could have gone the other way and not got results and felt sorry for ourselves. We haven’t we have got on with it and have had a bit of a formation change and that’s worked well and it’s kept us reasonably fresh through the hectic period. There’s loads of games coming and with Christmas on its way it’s madness.

"But everyone in the squad has been great and chomping at the bit to get in the team and stay in the team. It’s all very healthy at the moment, there’s a good atmosphere around the place."

And the former Portsmouth striker has been pleased with the how the season has gone. He said: "It’s been very positive.

"We have been very good home until the last couple of games, we were just a day short of having a year’s unbeaten run at home which is tough to do.

"It’s not a hidden secret that we need to improve on the road as far as results are concerned and that’s something we’re trying to address starting from now.

"We need to make sure we are not relying to heavily on our home form.

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