Nigel Clough knows Mansfield Town must keep improving

Stags face Harrogate Town on Tuesday night in search of their first home win of the campaign.

And, although Clough is pleased with the side’s six-game unbeaten run, he knows things need to still improve.

“We have got to improve, we know that,” he said.

“We are contributing to the goals we are conceding. We have to have the solidity at the hack, and I thought we had that for most of the game against Colchester.

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“We need to cut out the small mistakes and then we will win games.

“It is a team thing, it is an individual thing and it’s concentration.

“We didn’t make a mistake against Sunderland and we kept a clean sheet.

“You need luck as well. Some teams will create chances and take them, while others won’t take the chances.

“We need to keep the ball better, especially higher up the pitch in the final 10 minutes.

“We have seen in the last two games, against two top-six sides, how well they kept the ball and that is something we need to improve.

“There are plenty of positives from Friday. We created enough chances to win the game and we just need to get that second goal.”

Harrogate Town began the season in convincing fashion but have since slid down the table.

The Yorkshireman have not won in the league since their 2-1 win at Grimsby Town on 20th October.

But Clough still expects a tough game and knows his side need to be on it.

“They came into the league firing and now it’s levelled off,” he said.

“Their achievements over the last two seasons have been incredible and they will be a tough opposition.

“They are strong on set pieces and we need to be strong at defending them.

“You see how hard it is for ex League clubs to get back into the Football League. It is great to have clubs in the Football League for the first time.”

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