This is why Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough wants to get a break from the referees
Frustrated Nigel Clough wants a change of luck when Mansfield Town travel to Barnsley on Boxing Day.
The Stags boss has been angered by the performance of the match officials in recent weeks with Clough feeling bad decisions have cost his struggling side dearly.
Stags dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend after the 2-1 defeat to Stockport again left Clough calling the officials into question.
“Looking back at the last three league games, they have unfortunately been defined by decisions,” said Clough.
“The two against Bolton, the sending off and the penalty, and the disallowed goal against Wimbledon.
“We have looked at it I don’t know how many times and still can’t see one thing wrong with it.
“On Saturday there was a blatant foul on Frazer (Blake-Tracy) just before half time.
“We think it is a penalty on Will Evans with ten minutes to go. Those decisions define the results.
“We think they are all errors. When games are so tight it is even more important. Sometimes it doesn't matter, the ref will make a mistake when it's 2- 0 or whatever and it doesn’t affect the game, but all these five decisions have affected the result.
“We deserved something from the game against Bolton and Stockport with our performances.”
But Clough was keen to dish out the praise for the efforts of his depleted squad, with post-game running data showing just how hard his players had worked against Stockport.
“We knew the running stats would be high, but they were the highest of the season,” said Clough.
“They were through the roof and it was an incredible effort against Stockport. We undoubtedly deserved something from the game.
“It is a mixed emotion, there is pride at knowing the players are doing that. The fans can see we have ten players missing and have it all on competing.
“Every single person is working to the maximum, on and off the field, to try and get results at the moment.
“When you get that and then you don't get the break on the day or decisions are incorrect, it really is mixed emotions.
“If you take those five decisions out of the last three games, I think we would have a few more points.
“The players feel it more than anybody. They come into the dressing room after the game and are absolutely distraught.”