Nigel Clough knows successful festive period could be key to second half of Mansfield Town's season

Nigel Clough wants Mansfield to start games better during the busy festive period. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Stags travel to Scunthorpe on Boxing Day before they have successive home games against Salford City and Port Vale.

And Clough knows nine points could be just what Stags need to fire some momentum into their faltering campaign.

“It's always been a good family time, but work has always been there too,” he said. “We have nine points up for grabs, and what you do in the Christmas period can set you up for the rest of the season.

"I think it can make a big difference to how you go in the second half of the season. If you can unbeaten it can make a big impact on the table.

“My dad used to tell me how he played Christmas Day and Boxing Day when he was playing. I can’t imagine asking a Prmier League player to do that now.

“The lads will have Christmas Day off to spend a day with their families. It won’t do any harm at all, especially with how life is right now. We'll have two really good training days before that we will hopefully give us the benefit.

“I expect us to maintain our good standard of performance. Saturday will be a very hard-fought battle on Boxing Day."

Clough also wants his side to come out of the traps firing following their slow start in the 1-1 draw at home to Southend last time out.

And he expects a tough test at Scunthorpe

"We're still disappointed with how we started the game,” added Clough. “We created enough situations in the second-half to win the game.

“We're pleased with the reaction in the second-half, we just wish we didn't have to ask for that.

"We will take one game at time. We seem to win when we least expect it. We didn’t beat Southend at home but then we go away and win at Cambridge.

“Our selection for the Scunthorpe game will be based on the last two or three performances and changes could be made. Changes are always in our mind.

"League Two pitches are struggling a bit at the moment with all the rain and it is going to be a battle out there.

Striker Nicky Maynard is a doubt for the trip to Scunthorpe as he looks to shake off a hamstring injury.

Visit www.chad.co.uk/stags for report and post match reaction from Scunthorpe v Stags.