Graham Coughlan determined to drive up standards at Mansfield Town

Mansfield Town manager Graham Coughlan knows standards need to improve to achieve promotion. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Stags finished in a well below-par 21st place last season with the former Bristol Rovers chief knowing drastic improvements are needed to clinch a targeted promotion.

“The lads know I’ll be on them every day, because they know I want to drive standards. It wasn’t a great season for this club last season – we finished 21st, which isn’t good enough,” he said.

“This season we’ll have energy, legs and be honest. I can guarantee each and every time we take the field, each one of our lads will give 110 percent for the badge and for the jersey.

“I’ll be bitterly disappointed if we don’t improve in every aspect of the team.

Coughlan has brought in a number of players with experience of League One football as he embarks on his first full season in charge.

And so far he is pleased with what he has seen following pre-season friendlies against Peterborough and Nottingham Forest U23’s

“There will be competition – healthy competition – and I’m looking forward to the start of the season,” he added.

“The lads have shown a lot of endeavour and enthusiasm. They’ll probably tell you I want more quality and I’ll keep pushing for that.

“We seek perfection. Does perfection exist? I’ve spoken to the lads about this – but there’s no harm in seeking it.

“But the lads are working their socks off and there is a good, honest, hardworking crop – and I hope they do you [the fans] proud next season. The fans certainly deserve their spirits to be lifted and I hope this group of players can do it.”

As part of their pre-season build up, Mansfield went on a team bonding exercise in the Lake District.

“We went up for a couple of days of team bonding,” said Coughlan. “We got on the water and some players conquered their fears as we went to summits and peaks.

“New friendships were made and there was a good team spirit. The lads didn’t end up thanking me for it as they were sleeping in tents and waking up at half six in the morning.

“It wasn’t so much as a training camp, it was a survival camp. We’ve come back fit and healthy, and it was very enjoyable.”