Clough Challenges Mansfield to Match Home Form Away

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough wants his team to carry their strong home performances into away matches as the club prepares for two League One fixtures on the road. Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Clough identified the team's away defeats as a problem to address ahead of visits to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday and Blackpool on Saturday.

According to the club's record cited in the BBC report, Mansfield had collected three wins and two draws in five home league matches at One Call Stadium. Their away campaign had been less successful, with three defeats and one draw from four matches and no victories on the road.

The contrasting records have made the upcoming fixtures an opportunity for Clough to assess whether his squad can reproduce its home performances away from home. Tuesday's match against AFC Wimbledon also marks his 275th league game in charge, taking him beyond Ian Greaves' league record.

Clough emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency at home while reducing the number of damaging away defeats.

"It's important to stay unbeaten at home and even the other night [a 1-1 draw against Oxford United], we're 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go and we get that goal, so at least we get something out of the game," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

Mansfield's draw against Oxford United demonstrated their ability to recover late in a match. However, Clough said the team's away losses remained a significant concern as it seeks better results in its next two road fixtures.

"It's the losses, that's something we have to stop on the road. The losses do the most damage.

"If your home form is very good, then anything on the road is a bonus. We know we won't keep winning, and staying unbeaten, especially in this league. But I think a result on the road in the next couple would do us a world of good.

Clough also sees the consecutive away matches as a test of the squad's depth and its ability to deliver performances comparable to those at One Call Stadium.

"We'll know a bit more about the team and the squad with these next two away games - can they do what we're doing at home, try to get somewhere near it on the road?"

Beyond the immediate results, Clough's tenure has become a significant part of Mansfield's recent history. He was approaching six years as manager in November and credited the club's board for providing the stability that allowed him to remain in the role.

"It's a credit to the club that they've stuck with the same manager for nearly six years and what we've achieved together with the supporters," Clough said.

He also pointed to the relationship between the team and its supporters, saying that competing consistently was important even when victories did not come every week.

"I think the vast majority realise we're not going to win every week but they're just enjoying us competing.

Clough acknowledged that Mansfield had experienced difficult periods during his tenure but maintained that progress should be assessed over a longer period rather than through isolated results.

"We've had a couple of sticky spells during that period but I think generally the club has improved on and off the pitch.

He said sustained improvement required patience and effort, contrasting that approach with the demand for immediate results that often shapes expectations in professional football.

"I know we're in an age where a lot of people want instant results, but success does take a lot of time and a lot of work

Clough added that a manager's position should be considered in the context of the club's overall development, rather than results alone.

"Managers will always lose their jobs, but if the bigger picture says you're improving then that's the most important measure."

Mansfield's next two League One matches are against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday and Blackpool on Saturday, giving Clough's side consecutive opportunities to secure its first away league win of the season.