‘Three blows before we kicked off’: Nigel Clough explains Mansfield Town changes made against Reading

Nigel Clough made six changes to the Mansfield Town side that put five goals past Luton Town at the weekend.

During their midweek trip to Berkshire, it was then Stags’ turn to be on the receiving end of a five-goal frenzy. Reading enjoyed a statement 5-0 win to pick up their first three points of the season, sending Mansfield home with a lot to reflect on ahead of Bradford on Saturday.

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough post match interview following the Sky Bet League One match against Reading FC at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, 02 September 2026, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

placeholder image — Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough post match interview following the Sky Bet League One match against Reading FC at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, 02 September 2026, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

Clough described the result as a ‘very strange, weird game’ and he feels the performance overall did not reflect the hefty defeat his side was handed. However, he admitted Stags were largely responsible for their own downfall.

The manager explained some of the changes he made to face Reading, which included Harry Lewis starting due to the absence of Liam Roberts, who picked up an injury against Luton.

“Liam had a couple of stitches, it was a nasty little challenge on Sunday that caught him,” Clough told club media after the match.

Along with Roberts, Kyle Knoyle, Regan Hendry, Michael Smith, Jon Russell and Stephen McLaughlin were also swapped out from the starting XI that faced Luton. The latter two have been added to the injury list, with McLaughlin picking up an ankle problem during the warm-up. The wing-back was replaced on the bench by George Maris.

Russell did not feature at all in the match-day squad and will also be out for Bradford, Clough has confirmed. Due to his absence, Nathan Moriah-Welsh was shifted into a central midfield role, which did not play to his strengths.

“First of all, losing the goalkeeper is a blow, then losing Stephen in the warm-up, losing Jon Russell who scored two goals on Sunday. Three blows before we’ve even kicked off,” Clough said.

“We moved Moriah-Welsh inside because we’re light on central midfielders – don’t think that’s particularly his position. We could have put George Maris straight in there but we thought we’d give Nathan another go, having scored two at the weekend.

“But he looked a bit lost, we think wing-back is his position now, so we’re a bit light in midfield. Hence the signing of George Abbott, who will hopefully get fit after the international break.”