New Look Stags Set For Kick Off

The Bookmakers don’t usually get it wrong, and this season it is they that have Mansfield Town as joint third favourites for promotion in League Two, with four spots open to those brave enough to take on the challenge, word is that Nigel Clough is building a team that is going to be in and around the playoffs and more come business end next May.

A lot of football to be played before then of course, and it all starts tomorrow, Saturday 7^th August 2021 at the One Call Stadium as Mansfield Town take on Bristol Rovers, another side striving for promotion under the stewardship of the controversial Liverpudlian Joey Barton.

The Stags have had a busy summer, in come two centre forwards, Oliver Hawkins for a fee, from Ipswich Town, Danny Johnson, on a free, from Leyton Orient, both have pedigree, Hawkins a regular in the league above, whilst Johnson bagged 20 goals last season whilst at Brisbane Road.

Elliott Hewitt is another signing of high calibre, the former Notts County midfielder can fill a variety of positions and has near 250 league apps to his name. Still only 27 the Stags may even enjoy the best years of the former Wales U21 star’s expected peak? Experience and legs next to Stephen Quinn who after impressing last season on loan, joins permanently from Clough’s old stomping ground at Burton. In Quinn Clough trusts.

Two other permanent deals include left siders Ryan Burke from Birmingham and the free scoring Rhys Oates from Hartlepool, midfielder Ryan Stirk also joins from Birmingham on loan, whilst two goalkeepers have joined on season long deals borrowed from their parent clubs, George Shelvey of Forest, and Nathan Bishop of Manchester United.

Clough has used his contact book wisely, to bring in players that know the league, along with those young, keen and eager that show promise, that have been at top academy’s and that still hope to go on to have top careers, remember the Stags don’t just have quality in new, with the likes of George Lapslie, Ollie Clarke, George Maris, Harry Charsley, they already have one of the best young midfields in the division, with attacking options now in numbers too, it may be that this will be an exciting season of forward thinking football as the Stags look to outscore their opponents in trusting the quality they have in-depth.

There are quite a few changes however so time will take to settle no doubt, the likes of Mal Benning, Ryan Sweeney, Joe Riley, Nicky Maynard, Andy Cook, Jamie Reid all leaving, Corey O’Keeffe and Rollin Menayese out on loan, the team will differ from last season as to who plays in goal come season start? Marek Stech has the edge on the young loanees with experience of the league, in defence, James Perch and Farrend Rawson could be Clough’s preferred CB duo? Wingers Kellan Gordon and Stephen McLaughlin perhaps preferred in the full back positions to get forward as much as possible, the midfield quartet is likely to include Hewitt, Clarke and Quinn, perhaps one of Lapslie, or Maris with license to go forward as Harry Charsley misses the opener with a thigh problem, whilst a new look attack of Johnson and Hawkins, or even Rhys Oates who scored 17 goals in the National League last season? You get the feeling the squad depth has quality in the forward thinking positions if a little light in defence.

Whether the Stags can push for promotion is a question that can be asked over the test of time during a long hard season of League Two action, but the club certainly have enough in the squad to be challenging, running well with a highly regarded Manager it paints a picture that this team is one that is very much moving in the right direction.

With fans back onside, a packed house at the Mill tomorrow, and three points against good opposition will kick it all off very nicely indeed.

For tickets click here adult prices start from £17, juniors £14, with under sevens allowed in entrance with parents free.