Is Nigel Clough the answer to Mansfield Town’s prayers?

Mansfield Town have been on a impressive run since the departure of Graham Coughlan which has seen a Richard Cooper masterclass and Nigel Clough take the team to new heights.

Mansfield Town have gone from strength to strength as they look to climb up the League Two table and challenge in the FA Cup.

Since Coughlan’s sacking on the 27th October, the Stags have played five competitive matches in which they have been undefeated (three wins and two draws).

Cooper took charge on a caretaker role and has been complimented of the job he did and how well he did in a short space of time.

Some Mansfield fans have since then commented on his role and have only been able to say good things about the Academy manager.

One Stags fan said:

“Cooper deserves loads of credit. He saw what Graham Coughlan didn’t. Don’t complicate the tactics. Play with confidence and freedom.”

The appointment of Nigel Clough was the worst kept secret ever, but Stags fans have been really happy with his announcement as the new manager of the football club.

He has a proven track record which helped the Radford’s a lot in selecting the manager for their club as they hope to get promoted out of League Two.

The Stags fans have also commented on what Clough has brought to the table. One said:

“He certainly has lifted the profile of the club and the team are playing for him seems that GC has brought in a decent group of players but did not seem to be able to inspire them or lost the dressing room I hope Nigel brings us the success the Radfords deserve after their years of investment and efforts.”

Whilst another said:

“Born leaders are rare. They say that only one in ten show any form of leadership and thankfully we have a born natural. For any group to perform well you need a plan, discipline, application, trust,  flexibility, strong leadership and the ability to change if necessary. Nigel Clough has all these qualities and good aides by his side and so given time we will get stronger and stronger. I am optimistic for the future, the first time for a long time.”

Jordan Bowery was one of the first players brought in the summer transfer window by Coughlan and has been complimented about the mentality change.

“The players Coughlan brought into the club look good, especially Jordan Bowery. He’s been class in recent weeks.”

Clough will make his One Call Stadium bow on Friday night when they take on Colchester United.

Last time out in League Two, Mansfield fended off a late challenge from Forest Green Rovers, coming out 2-1 victors at the New Lawn.

Mansfield Town got out of the blocks quickly after George Lapslie slotted the ball past Luke McGee in the fifth minute .

Harry Charsley put the Amber and Blues 2-0 up following a fantastic counter-attack in which the midfielder slotted away a Bowery assist.

Odin Bailey managed to score for the Rovers in the 84th minute as they looked for an equaliser, but it wasn’t meant to be as Mansfield held on for victory.

The U’s had similar fortunes to the Stags in their last league encounter as they faced Leyton Orient at the Colchester Community Stadium.

Jevani Brown put the home side in the lead after only ten minutes. Colchester then searched for a second goal which eventually came in the 72nd minute with Brown on the scoresheet again.

A late goal from Connor Wilkinson in the 88th minute for Orient gave them a glimmer of hope, but they weren’t able to find the crucial second goal as Colchester similarly to Mansfield ran out 2-1 victors.

The last time these two faced each other was in November 2019 with Colchester beating the Stags 3-2 that afternoon at the One Call Stadium.

Brandon Comley opened the scoring for the U’s in the eighth minute as the 2019/20 Play-Off semi-finalists looked to take charge of the game.

That would not happen as Ryan Sweeney scored for the Stags on the stroke of half-time. Frank Nouble then had a penalty saved by Conrad Logan three minutes into the second half.

Courtney Senior put Colchester back ahead in the 74th minute, then Luke Gambin gave the U’s a two-goal lead in the 87th minute.

Omari Sterling-James got one goal back for the Stags in the 90th minute, but it was too little too late as the Stags lost the encounter.

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