'The game is better with him in it': Ian Evatt praises 'proper football man' Nigel Clough ahead of Mansfield Town clash
Ian Evatt showed his respect for Nigel Clough ahead of Mansfield Town’s meeting with Blackpool this weekend.
Stags will make the trip to Bloomfield Road on Saturday for their second League One away fixture of the week.
Spirits in the amber and blue camp will be high following their 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday. The result marked Mansfield Town’s first away victory of the season and stretches their unbeaten run to five games.
It was also the match that wrote Nigel Clough’s name in the history books as he set a new record for most EFL fixtures managed at Stags.
Clough’s pedigree as both a player and a manager is widely respected and Blackpool manager Ian Evatt praised his impact on the game as the Tangerines prepare for Stags’ arrival.
“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Nigel, he’s a proper football man,” the 44-year-old told club media. “The game is a better game with him in it. Year on year, he does a fantastic job. They’ve started the season well and they’re on a really good run at the moment, great away win on Tuesday.”
Blackpool will enter the clash following a 2-0 win over MK Dons midweek but they have also lost five of their last seven League One fixtures. Evatt has stressed his side are well aware of the threat Mansfield Town pose and he knows they will arrive hoping for another win on the road.
“We know what’s coming, it’s going to be a really difficult game. Nigel’s teams are always hard-working and well organised,” he said. “We’re going to have to deal with all of that and probably some adverse weather conditions judging by the forecast. But hopefully we can take some confidence from Tuesday and build on that.”