'We're a point or two light': Nigel Clough assesses Mansfield Town's League One progress so far this season
Nigel Clough has highlighted a weak point in his side from the last few League One games as they enter a brief break before action resumes against MK Dons.
Mansfield Town do not have a match this weekend after their trip to Stevenage was postponed due to the opposition’s international call-ups.
Stags will now have a week off to reflect on recent performances, prepare for the next challenge against MK Dons, and hopefully see some players return from injury.
Fitness setbacks have not been kind to Clough’s side this season, as they currently have as many as eight with injury concerns. Frazer Blake-Tracy is the latest concern, having felt something in his hamstring during the Jersey Mike's Trophy clash with Chesterfield.
Stags have 19 points on the board in League One so far this season from five wins and four draws.
Reflecting on his side’s performances, Clough said: “I think we’re a point or two light off where we should be from earlier on in the season with that great run.
“A quarter of the season is done and the next quarter is going to be important as well. We will try to get the same sort of points tally and see where we are after Christmas.”
Mansfield Town hit a great run of form earlier in the season, starting with a 0-0 draw against Huddersfield. That turned into six games unbeaten and featured statement results including back-to-back away wins against AFC Wimbledon and Blackpool.
The streak ended with a recent 2-0 defeat to Notts County, followed by a 0-0 draw with Wigan. Stags also played Macclesfield in the FA Cup last weekend and despite winning 3-0, it wasn’t the commanding performance the score-line suggested.
“After the last three games, we need to focus on retaining the ball,” Clough continued. “We’ve given it away in the last three games – against Notts County, we were off our game in different areas but giving the ball away was certainly one of them and we did the same at Wigan. Even in the first half against Macclesfield we did it.
“That’s the main thing coming out of the last few games. Before that, we weren’t too good on the road early on, then we had a brilliant run and a great run at home.
“There’s not too much, it’s just trying to get everybody fit and available to give us those options to change things as and when we need to.”