Mansfield Town boss still fuming ahead of return to action against Huddersfield Town
Mansfield Town return to action after the international break at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday with boss Nigel Clough still furious over their 2-1 capitulation at Northampton Town last time out.
Facing the start of a very tough run of games, Clough said: “Having managed to somehow lose that game at Northampton and in the manner we did – those are the ones that really hurt.
“You don't forget those sorts of games – and we have had a long time to think about it over the break.
“I feel as angry and upset now as I did 10 days ago.
“The only way to get that out of your system is to get a good result on Saturday.
“In the position we are in we should be winning those sort of games, not even drawing it.
“We played quite well and controlled the game for large periods. But we somehow contrived to lose it.
“We will go back through it once we get everyone back in the building from the internationals.
“We stopped doing certain things at Northampton that we had been doing so well in previous games, hence the result.
“Maybe every now and again they need that little reminder. They will certainly get it from that game.”
Tyler Roberts, Luke Bolton and Regan Hendry remain sidelined with injuries, but Elliott Hewitt and Baily Cargill are back in training.
“We are just waiting on the international lads returning now to make sure they are okay.”
Forest loanee Jamie McDonnell made his full debut for Northern Ireland in a 1-0 win over Luxembourg and Clough said: “It was absolutely brilliant for him.
“He came on against Germany and got a little taste of it.
“But to start a game was wonderful for him and reflective of the start he has made to the season. He's been very good for us and it's lovely to see that recognised at international level.”
Stags were beaten 3-1 at Huddersfield in the Vertu EFL Trophy on 4th November and Clough said: “They left a few out and we left a few out that night, but they still showed their quality. Their squad is littered with it
“It is a big test for us and the biggest test is how we react to the Northampton defeat.
“Huddersfield have had two great wins, beating us and then Plymouth.
“So, for having lost a few before that, their confidence will have returned very quickly because of the quality they have.
“On paper they have as good a squad as anyone in the league.
“They are one of the three teams that have paid over a million pounds for a striker.
“If they click they are one of the sides that could finish top two. There are about half a dozen of them and there's nothing in it at the moment.
“You can't pick a top two or a bottom four at the moment – they are so evenly matched.
“But Huddersfield are one of those who are capable, if anyone is.
“This next run of games is a big test for us and I think at the end of it we will know a little bit more about ourselves”