Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough targets 'three of the best' players he can possibly sign ahead of summer transfer window
Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough says he is aiming to bring in ‘three of the best’ players he can possibly sign as part of his summer squad re-jig.
The Stags boss outlined the intentions for his off-season transfer strategy this week as attention begins to switch to the 2026/27 campaign.
Those additions are highly likely to be in attacking areas of the pitch as Stags look to bolster an attack which has failed to fire at times this season.
“We want to build with the squad that we have got,” said Clough. “We have said there won’t be too many changes in the summer so the improvement within the existing squad will be massive.
“At the moment we are looking at three players and three of the best players we can possibly get to come in and improve the squad.
“We are trying to keep the players on short term deals or loans in terms of Jon Russell and Tyler Roberts. If we can hang on to them that will be a big plus as well.”
Clough’s lack of planned movement in the transfer window signals his contentment with a squad that has come on leaps and bounds in the second half of the season.
Struggling Mansfield bagged just 23 points from their first 20 games and dropped into the relegation zone following defeat to Stockport on December 20.
Since then Stags have gone on to rack up the points in impressive fashion and claim some big scalps along the way.
But it is an improvement in performances which has not left the experienced Clough surprised.
“When you bring 12 players in during the summer, and more joined us in January, it takes quite a bit of time for those players to settle in. That is what you are seeing,” added Clough.
“Then the improvements in January with the ones that we brought in, that’s all it is. We always give players six months at least from when they sign in the summer and that’s why you see the improvement in the second half of the season.
“Confidence is massive, you can’t buy it, you can’t get it, it just happens with good performances and results.”
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