“I have no doubt Nigel Clough will deliver us a promotion, but I don’t think that’s this season sadly”
The Stags go above County if they win their two games in hand, but Craig Priest from Mansfield Matters feels it could be another year before the champagne is cracked open at Field Mill
Friday 17 March 2023
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Mansfield supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
It’s another big one at Edgeley Park tomorrow. As things stand, Mansfield would go above County by winning their games in hand, but they wouldn’t be able to do that if Dave Challinor’s men pick up all three points this weekend. Mansfield’s form is all over the place at the moment - they won 4-0 at Carlisle in February before losing 5-2 at home to Salford the following week - so I’m pleased to be joined by Craig Priest from Mansfield Matters to give us the lowdown on what’s currently happening at Field Mill.
Today’s edition is sponsored by SDS Aerials. A big thank you to Dylan and all the team. If you’ve ever thought of installing CCTV at your house, give him a call. Further details below.
Enjoy today’s issue.
Des Junior
Describe your season so far.
Meh. The heartbreak of Wembley was softened with Clough staying in a job, whereas a few seasons ago he'd have been sacked, which is great because we could build - we did, but not in the right areas. A good start, followed typically by stumbles has left us with a sniff of the play-offs, but we should have taken things up a level. We’ve stagnated really and to be honest will be lucky to sneak 7th. Too many injuries, mixed with stubborness, players out of position and arguably poor transfer business has held us back for this season, but if we keep an eye on the bigger picture, next season could be very interesting.
Which players have impressed and who has disappointed?
Hiram Boateng in equal measure. He was class in pre-season and at the start, then has just dropped out. Elliott Hewitt is the player of the season and Mr Reliable, we really missed him on Tuesday. Alfie Kilgour and Davis Keilor-Dunn, who both arrived in January, have settled quickly and are performing well.
What’s your thoughts on Nigel Clough?
Great guy, as experienced as you'll get at this level I think and I have no doubt he’ll deliver us a promotion - but I don't think that's this season sadly. Clough's tinkered this season and at times has been stubborn which I think has cost us a time or two. He's had rotten luck with injuries again so is having to really rely on players out of position. If (and that’s a big if) he can get everyone fit we'll be a force, but that's as likely as me winning the lottery.
And John Radford?
Hero. Enough said. Rescued the club when we were in the pit of misery 11 years ago and since then we've built. Some questionable appointments and decisions with managers sometimes, but he's got the club at heart and that's all you ask. Now resides in Portugal so both he and Carolyn (wife and co-chair/owner) don't get over as much, which sometimes is a good thing.
What’s your rivalry like with Chesterfield?
Sorry, I don’t talk about non-league teams!
Best and worst memories following Mansfield?
Wembley from a personal point of view was both for me last season, as I was fortunate enough to be doing match commentary.
In terms of an all-time best memory, winning the Conference in 2012-13 was fantastic, especially the last minute winner at Hereford which kept the title in our own hands going into the final day.
As for the worst, nothing tops relegation to non-league - actually it does: having to be painstakingly stuck at home during Covid watching Graham Coughlan send us crashing back towards the Conference. Thank goodness we saw sense and sacked him the following season, because even though he lasted for a couple of months, giving him "until the next window" as was hinted would have been a disaster.
What do you think of Stockport County a) the club b) the team c) the fans d) the manager?
Delighted you're back in the Football League for one; I’d much rather a trip to County than Forest Green. It's not easy to get out of the pit of misery so to have achieved what you have in the last 10 years or so is great.
You've got a good strong squad so it's no surprise that you're in and around the play-offs with an eye on the automatics and you’ll be a difficult side to stop if you can maintain that momentum.
Your gaffer’s been there and done it, a solid appointment who seems to be really taking you places.
Your fanbase has always been friendly, and like us, have taken the rough with the smooth!
What’s the fan culture like at Mansfield?
Great, until we start losing, and then it can get a little toxic. Since Covid, the fanbase has grown and we sell out 85-90% of away games. I wish we'd stop our bloody "In 1987" song though!
It’s a tasty-looking 5th v 8th tomorrow. What’s your prediction?
Usually I’d be "I have to back us" but I’ll be honest, I don't know if we've actually got an 11 to start! We're beyond bare bones and are inconsistent to boot - yes the stats say we're in and around it, but there's been a nagging doubt getting louder and louder. How we didn't get smashed by Northampton in midweek is beyond me. I'll go for a very scrappy 1-1 draw.
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Good read, and honest views from Craig. He’s right in saying Clough has been stubborn at times and that could well cost us towards the end. The positive is, we have 7 home games and 4 away games left. Our away form is decent and the home form USED to be untouchable but if we can take 5 wins from the home games and maybe 2 away wins, a couple of draws chucked in, we could well hit the 80 point mark