Mansfield Town boss Graham Coughlan admits squad needs confidence boost after latest defeat

Mansfield Town manager Graham Coughlan admitted his side desperately need a confidence boost as they slumped to yet another defeat – losing 2-1 at Leyton Orient tonight.
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A Mal Benning own goal sank them 16 minutes from time after a Kell Watts header had cancelled out Orient's first half goal.

But Stags again made too many errors and Coughlan said: “It wasn't good enough. We are vulnerable – soft – and the goals we're conceding are killing us.

Graham Coughlan.Graham Coughlan.
Graham Coughlan.

“The errors we're making and our decision-making is poor.

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“We are shooting ourselves in the foot and massively lacking in confidence and a bit of leadership. They need an injection of confidence.

“The players are not in a great place and it's hurting us.

“If we do our jobs right we don't concede. We are getting punished for every mistake we make right now.”

He added: “All the lads can do is keep working. The lads need help and picking up.

“The second half was a bit more spirited. We gave it a go and put them on the back foot. But they did not make the basic mistakes we make.”

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Defender Joe Riley again had to limp off and Coughlan said: “His glute was tightening up again. He came off on Saturday as well but he has come here to try to help us and he wants to be out there on the grass.”