Mansfield Town will get their 2026/27 League One campaign underway this weekend when they host Doncaster Rovers at the One Call Stadium.

Stags will be looking to kickstart their season with a positive result and move past Sunday’s defeat to Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup.

Nigel Clough’s side will get their league campaign underway at home against Doncaster, who finished five points behind the boys in amber in blue in May.

Clough has identified his side’s dip in defensive quality over recent performances compared to last season. Mansfield Town boasted the third-best defensive record in League One for the 2025/26 season, with only Stevenage and champions Lincoln City conceding fewer goals.

Nigel Clough, Manager of Mansfield Town, looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane on January 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Nigel Clough, Manager of Mansfield Town, looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane on January 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Stags let in eight goals across their pre-season friendlies and then three against Blades last weekend.

“I think it’s pretty simple and pretty evident for everybody. Over the two games against Derby and Sheffield United, it was quite similar really. I thought we played well for an hour or so and we were more than in the game, however they were both punctuated by poor defending,” Clough said in his pre-match press conference.

“We conceded six goals over the two games and obviously that isn’t good enough. For all your encouraging play and chances created, if you’re not going to defend properly and you’re going to concede goals, it’s all rather pointless really.”

Mansfield Town lost their first two league matches last season, including a 2-1 defeat to Doncaster at home. Stephen McLaughlin gave Stags the lead but a late brace from Owen Bailey, including a stoppage time winner, completed Rovers’ comeback.

“We didn’t have a very good start last year. We lost our two opening league games, we had the win against Chesterfield in the Cup in between, where we could’ve lost easily, so our first three games weren’t great,” Clough said.

“I think we’re in a bit of a better position now despite being knocked out the Carabao Cup, so it’ll be nice to get off to a good start, especially at home.”

Stags avenged their earlier defeat with a 2-0 win on Doncaster’s turf, thanks to goals from Rhys Oates and Jon Russell. But Clough is aware of the threat Grant McCann’s side pose and has stressed Mansfield cant afford to give them chances.

“If you’re not on it and you make mistakes, they will punish you,” he said. “I think it was a very good season for Doncaster. I know Grant quite fancied his chances in the league and thought they could more than survive and they will be looking to push on this year.

“They’ve brought in a very good striker in Alfie May, lost Luke Molyneux but their replacement is a proven goal-scorer at this level and I think he’s one an awful lot of teams, including ourselves, enquired about. But his family and emotional ties to Doncaster meant he wasn’t going anywhere else.”

May has signed for Rovers on a season-long loan, returning to the club where his professional career really kickstarted. The 33-year-old joined the club back in 2017 for his first taste of EFL football. He became a fan favourite during his time at the club and made more than 110 appearances.