Nigel Clough happy with performance levels despite poor run for Mansfield Town

Stags have lost four of their last five games, which included two frustrating 1-0 defeats at Harrogate Town and Bradford City.

But the Mansfield manager believes there is plenty to be encouraged about and that cutting out mistakes will bring plenty of points.

“The pleasing thing has been the level of performance,” said Clough. “Apart from maybe the first half at home to Southend and the second half at Harrogate the level of performance has been good enough to get results in most games.

“We are building on that. If you’re getting battered every week and not playing well it is different.

“That is not the case with us. We just need to defend a little better, as we showed we could do against Morecambe.

“Let's defend like that in every game and we will be in with more than a chance of winning the game.

“To play that well at Bradford and get nothing because we didn’t deal with a long ball into the box is frustrating.

“Against Morecambe we didn't make a mistake and defended well. In the other two games (Harrogate and Bradford) we have made a mistake and it has cost us.

“We have just tried to address the hows and whys of the two goals and what players shouldn't be doing.

“We defended a similar free-kick ten mins before the goal (at Bradford) and were in the right position. They are not robots and will make mistakes.”

Clough believes a big key to success is the first goal, with this season throwing up a much higher percentage of 1-0 wins.

Seven of the 12 midweek League Two fixtures were settled by just one goal, while all three of the Premier League’s Thursday night matches all finished 1-0.

“When you go 1-0 down it is hard to get back into it,” said Clough. “It is easy to defend on pitches like this, but much harder to create.

“Big strong organised defenders dont give a lot away and it is hard to break them down.

“Teams are defending well. Harrogate have won their last three games 1-0, they thrive on defending that lead.

“At this level there are not too many players with something different to unlock a defence.

“I think teams are happier to sit on 1-0 when there is no home crowd roaring them forward to score again.

“Surfaces are playing a big part. This time of year is when they are the most difficult to play on.

“It takes players that little bit longer to get the ball down and that's why we are getting less goals and chances.

“When we get to the end of March and the surfaces are better we will see more goals.”

Mansfield travel to Barrow this weekend and you can get full report and post-match reaction on our website straight after the game.