Nigel Clough says Mansfield Town 'caused their own problems' in 'weird' 5-0 defeat to Reading
Nigel Clough said Mansfield Town ‘largely did themselves in' as they fell to a dramatic 5-0 loss to Reading on the road.
It was only days ago that Stags were celebrating a dominant 5-2 win over Luton Town and now they are looking at how to bounce back from a 5-0 defeat to Reading.
The Royals earned their first League One win of the season in true style as they dominated the score-line in Berkshire, but Clough doesn’t feel the nature of the game reflected such a significant defeat.
Jack Marriott opened the scoring not long after the half hour mark and then within nine minutes, Reading were up 3-0. Clough made some immediate changes after half-time but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide of the evening.
The Royals scored two more goals in the second half and comfortably secured all three points at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
“We certainly caused our own problems this evening. It was a very strange, weird game – to have as much of the game as we did and as many chances and situations,” Clough told club media after the match. “The home crowd was booing after about 30 minutes, we were controlling the game, and then within 11 minutes, we’re 3-0 down and it’s almost game over.
“We’re adamant the first goal was a foul on Lucas Akins, the second goal was Harry Lewis’ first mistake since joining us – drops a routine cross. Then the third one he ends up poking in off the post. Very strange having been in control of the game.”
Stags also saw a goal of their own disallowed as George Maris’ attempt did not stand due to the referee ruling for a foul on the goalkeeper.
“Every little thing tonight went against us but we probably deserved that based on how we played at times,” Clough continued. “But again, it’s a weird game to come off and lose 5-0 and think, ‘I don’t think that was a 5-0'.”
Mansfield Town have little time to dwell on their loss as their next challenge is just days away. Stags are back on the road this weekend to face Bradford City. Both clubs have won two games and lost two in their opening four league fixtures this season.