The Opposition: Mansfield Town (A)

The Opposition: Mansfield Town (A)
The lowdown on the Stags

October 20th 2023Sam Yapp

It is our second trip to Nottinghamshire this season, as we take on Mansfield Town on Saturday at the One Call Stadium.

Rovers will be looking to kick on from last weekend’s 5-0 triumph against Colchester United.

Mansfield are playing in their eleventh consecutive season in League Two, so here is all you need to know about this weekend’s opposition.

IN THE DUGOUT

Having been in the job since 2020, Nigel Clough has taken the Stags from strength to strength, which includes guiding his side to their first play-off finish in League Two.

Clough brought with him a reputation after his success with Burton Albion, taking them to the Carabao Cup semi-finals in 2019, which was ended by current European champions, Manchester City.

The Stags have continued to grow under Clough as they are currently unbeaten in their last 17 matches making them the only side yet to taste defeat in the league this season.

Clough has been seen to be quite experimental with his formations this season, floating between a 4-1-2-1-2 to a 4-3-3, which has proven to work as they sit third in League Two and earned a place in the Carabao Cup round of 16.

ONE TO WATCH

Since joining in January as a free agent, Davis Keillor-Dunn has been a major vocal point in Mansfield’s attack. In his first 19 appearances for the club, he found the net six times and chipped in with four assists.

This term, Keillor-Dunn has picked up from where he left off seeing him become the joint-second top scorer in League Two so far this season, bagging eight goals in 13 appearances.

Clough has utilised the versatile attacker in a range of positions this season, playing him as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers whilst also pushing him into the front line for some extra fire power.

SUMMER BUSINESS

Mansfield stamped their intentions ahead of this season during the summer bringing in some high-profile names and quality reinforcement.

Ex-Rovers centre back Baily Cargill, who departed the New Lawn in the summer, was snapped up by Clough on a free transfer.

Cargill was joined at the back by ex-Bristol City centre back, Aden Flint, who was let go by Sheffield Wednesday following their promotion to the Championship.

Clough also added George Williams from Cambridge United, Calum MacDonald from Bristol Rovers and goalkeeper, Christy Pym from Peterborough to his promotion chasing side.