Sluggish but injury free - Nigel Clough gives his verdict on Mansfield Town's opening friendly win at Retford

David McGoldrick and Michael Smith got their first run out in the Stags colours in Tuesday night’s opening 2-1 win at Retford United with both players getting 45 minutes each.

And Clough is confident the experienced pair’s quality will shine through and give Stags plenty more options during the upcoming campaign.

“These players are different from what we have. David is different to Will Evans to Michaeel Smith to Tyler Roberts, they all offer something different for us.” he said.

“Because of how things have moved on with players really looking after themselves in terms of diet, fitness and so on, players can keep going to a good standard much later.

“David’s quality in training has shone through already. There’s nobody like him in the league. He said he had more offers than at any time in his career which, at his age, is incredible really and testament to how well he’s looked after himself and the sort of player he is.

“Michael has come from a Championship club. I remember how well he did against us when we played Sheffield Wednesday in the cup a few years ago. We have always been admirers of him and it’s nice to bring him in.

“We just need another one in midfield. We set out to bring in two strikers and a midfielder so we have still got a space available.”

Stags fell behind on 20 minutes before a long-range screamer from Deji Oshilaja levelled the Cannon Park contest on 36 minutes.

The visitors got the winner a minute before the break when Tyler Roberts coolly slotted home a penalty that he won after being chopped down.

“We were a bit sluggish tonight but we have only been back for six days, I’m not too worried about that,” admitted Clough.

“Having no injuries was the main thing and we didn’t get any. Louis Reed had a bit of a stiff back but should be ok for Barrow, so we have done pretty well in the first week or so. It’s just Luke Bolton missing.

“Normally we have four or five young lads in to make up the two teams but it was just a couple tonight. I thought Ollie Taylor did well in the second half.”

Stags head to Barrow on Saturday to face Adam Murray’s promotion hopefuls.