Time to refocus and get back on track as the Stags take on Sheffield Wednesday in the Papa John’s Trophy

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With another league defeat under their belt, Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough is starting to fall under even more pressure with his side lingering above the relegation places.

However, a game against Sheffield Wednesday in the Papa John’s Trophy could allow the 55-year-old to try out a new formation, a new system and even rethink his team selection ahead of this weekend’s league game against bottom of the table, Oldham Athletic.

Mansfield’s first two league games against Bristol Rovers and Newport County ended in 2-1 victories, but the wheels simply started to fall off when Freddie Sears scored a late penalty to rescue a point for Colchester United at the JobServe Community Stadium on August 17th.

From that point onwards, it was defeat after defeat as injuries and suspensions have started to mount. Clough has lost a number of key players and recruitment could be seen as one element to the torrid form.

The ex-Burton Albion and Derby County manager has been outspoken about his preference of operating with a small squad, however, could the misfortune of senior professionals pave a way for the younger talents within the academy?

Mansfield has a lot of talent in their youth squads and the Papa John’s Trophy could be a perfect way for them to stake a first-team spot.

A lot of the players that are on the substitutes bench could also benefit from game time and a starting role. Nigel Clough simply must change something as his current system is not working.

In the Stags’ previous encounter, they were beaten by Barrow after Ollie Banks’ penalty in the 55th minute. If matters weren’t bad enough, Ferrand Rawson got himself sent off in added time of the second half after he pulled back Josh Gordon with the forward virtually through on goal.

That defeat saw the amber and blues fall to within two points of the drop zone as performances need to improve drastically.

Mansfield’s opponents in the Papa John’s Trophy this time around are Sheffield Wednesday. The Yorkshire club currently sit 12th in League One after their relegation down to the third tier due to financial problems.

The Owls recorded their third league defeat last time out as James Henry’s 93rd-minute winner earned Oxford United the win at Hillsborough.

Cameron Brannagan gave the visitors an early lead as Karl Robinson’s men looked to secure a second consecutive league victory.

However, Wednesday hit back in the 73rd minute as Callum Paterson scored the equaliser and set up an exciting quarter of an hour in Yorkshire.

There was another twist in the tale as Henry’s goal in the dying embers secured all three points for Oxford United as the visitors moved to within a point of the play-off places.

Apart from their vicious pre-season friendly in 2018 that ended in a 22-man brawl and a 2-1 win for the Stags, Mansfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday have only faced each other once in the last 10 years.

The last time the two sides met competitively was in the League Cup back in 2015 with Wednesday running out 4-1 victors.

Clough will be determined to get back on track, and to come up against a League One club, could be seen as a bonus.

A win for the Stags tomorrow evening will see them move onto the same points as Wednesday and setup a tasty final matchday battle for qualification into the knockout stages.

However, if they are beaten by the Owls, their chances of reaching the next round will be shattered and they will be able to turn their attentions to escaping a relegation battle.

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