Mansfield Town boss says side must improve in the box to challenge for League Two title next season

Nigel Clough wants Mansfield to tighten up in both boxes. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The Mansfield manager watched his side slump to a 3-0 defeat at home to league leaders Cambridge United on Saturday, despite having more shots and possession.

And Clough believes ruthlessness in the box is the key area separating Stags from the table-toppers.

“We have got a good pattern of play now between the penalty areas,” he said. “We just need to keep highlighting to the players what the difference is between us and what Cambridge did on Saturday.

“We had more possession, more shots and played well between the penalty areas so what do we have to do to turn that into three points? We have to be better in both boxes, that's it - it’s very simple.

“Our play between the boxes was good and we created some good chances. It was one of the most unfair 3-0’s you will ever see.

“We have to do more to score and more to keep the ball out of our net.”

Clough believes he now has the nucleus of a good squad at his disposal but tweaks are still needed to take them to the next level.

Amongst the summer shopping list will be two new strikers to bolster Mansfield’s options over the season.

“We hope to have a few new players in during the summer and that will help bolster the nucleus of a good squad,” he said.

“We are very happy with the front three at the moment, but we need a couple of options and two strikers will be on the list for the summer.”

With Stags now clear off the danger zone and struggling to mount a challenge for the play-off places, Clough believes it will give him an ideal chance to blood promising youngsters.

“We shouldn't be worrying about the bottom two now,” added Clough. “We are far enough away and our level of performance is good, but you never know.

“We have got to get some results now. If we get into the mid-table position where we can’t challenge for the top seven then it's a good chance for the young players to play some football.

“We have always given young players a chance wherever we have been. They will have an opportunity and that is all they can ask for.”