Mansfield Town boss confident he has addressed last year's 'missing ingredients'

Mansfield manager Graham Coughlan is confident he has replaced the ‘missing ingredients’ from last season’s squad.
Boss Graham Coughlan has added five new faces to solve Mansfield's 'missing ingredients.'Boss Graham Coughlan has added five new faces to solve Mansfield's 'missing ingredients.'
Boss Graham Coughlan has added five new faces to solve Mansfield's 'missing ingredients.'

Coughlan has brought in five fresh faces as he looks to create a ‘smaller, younger and cheaper’ squad.

And the former Bristol Rovers chief believes the new players will give Stags what they badly lacked season when they begin the new campaign on September 12.

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“We were missing a few bits and pieces last season and they were glaringly obvious, not just to myself, but the fans as well,” he told the club’s official website.

“I have tried to address that as soon as possible. We missed that little bit of pace up front which Jamie Reid will give us.

“We struggled to hold the ball up last season, which was why I brought in Jordan Bowery.

“We missed the legs and leadership in the middle of the park, which Ollie Clarke will naturally give us.

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“I need leadership at the back and a number one goalie. I have brought in experience and good honest hard working pros.”

But he was quick to praise the efforts of those who departed Mansfield at the end of last year’s failed campaign.

“I hope people don’t get the wrong end of the stick, it is a team I wanted to build in my own name and my DNA,” he added.

“The lads that were here last year tried exceptionally hard for this football club..

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“It is a manager’s prerogative to want to build his own team and that is what I want to do. The lads that have gone gave their all last season.

“It was a bit of a turbulent season. I don’t think anyone enjoyed last season, myself included, so it was important I freshened it up and maybe get the ingredients we needed.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with the lads who have stayed and the new lads.”

Coughlan will now make minor tweats to pre-season preparations, which began last Wednesday, to adjust the previous schedule, which had been based on a potential August 29 start.

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He added: “In a footballing sense it has been frustrating. We have been away for so long and I genuinely missed the players.

“We had a good first day back at training giving the restrictions. It was good to have the lads back on the training ground.”

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