Left Stag: Clough's future and Halloween nightmares

Words: Josh Pickering

Tuesday 06 October 2026

reading time: min, words

left stag Football

The start of October is one of those times of year that feels transitionary. Nights draw in, temperatures drop, the countryside changes. In football, it's often said that you can tell a lot about your team for the season, by this point... Josh Pickering looks into the events at Mansfield Town F.C.

Were it not for the extended international break we are currently having to endure, we would have reached the proverbial ten-game stage, when creases are meant to have been ironed out and any grace for new signings to gel exhausted. Were this any other team or any other manager, I would be tempted to look at Stags start of two wins, two draws and three defeats, the so far uninspiring performances of David McGoldrick and the ever-growing injury list, and write us off, but this isn't just any other team or any other manager.

Nigel Clough's Mansfield have shown me all this before. Last season, at this stage, Stags had three wins, three draws and four defeats, players not clicking and a similar number out injured. They went on to finish tenth. Nothing I've seen so far makes me panic. No, it hasn't been the start we'd wanted, especially given the pre-season hype about squad improvements, but if I trust anyone to make it work, it's Nigel.

Everything I've heard or read about Nigel's way of managing people sounds like he very much emphasises 'people' first. Players are regularly afforded time to deal with personal issues and his fabled nights out have been spoken of by ex-players of his, in popular podcasts and interviews

The international break has come at a good time. It gives most of the players a chance to recoup, recover and set themselves for the return. Clough has allowed those not called up by their nations to have a holiday together too (something he's known for), in Portugal. Everything I've heard or read about Nigel's way of managing people sounds like he very much emphasises 'people' first. Players are regularly afforded time to deal with personal issues and his fabled nights out have been spoken of by ex-players of his, in popular podcasts and interviews. It's clearly worked for him over the years.

Before the season started, I got to meet the gaffer, alongside Andy Garner and most of the first-team squad, at the club's open day. Me, the wife and kids posed for photos with the players and toured the newly renovated home dressing-room, before finally meeting the coaching staff. He has already met and spoken to hundreds of people that day, but was all smiles and very chatty with us - no hint of it being a chore.

"That top suits you better than some of this lot" Clough remarked of my brand-new replica pink third shirt, while looking over to his team. "Suits you, sir!", added Garns, slightly camply. Nigel then positioned us all for a photo and asked my wife if he could borrow her wide-brimmed hat to cover Garner's bald head from the sun.

There's something hanging over the club this season. The fans, and presumably the players and owners, know that there's a strong chance this will be Nigel Clough's final season as a football manager. He's talked several times about his intention to retire at some point in the near future and what his wife will do to him if he doesn't. What his involvement, if any, will be when he leaves, is unknown, but it will be a huge transition. That much is sure.

Clough's contract runs out next year and whether or not he choses to renew it may depend on what he feels this squad can achieve under him. If they do the unthinkable and win another promotion, the chance to manage in the Championship again may sway it. If they progress, but don't go up, or finish in a similar or lower place to last year, he may feel that he's done all he can at the club. Or, he may have already made his mind up. Either way, we probably won't know until it happens and should enjoy the man and his ways while we still have him.

One thing that his tenure has given me an appreciation for, is the importance of having a good human being in charge, inspiring the professionalism, conduct and decency that is evident throughout the staff and players at all levels. He has put his personal stamp on the club and I can't imagine myself getting behind someone of lesser character in future. It will be a high-bar, both morally and sportingly, whomever is tasked with filling his very large shoes

McGoldrick has looked rusty, but has still got himself into some good positions, and it's only a matter of time before he bangs one in. What better time to do that than against his former club, on Halloween - something that has been giving Notts fans nightmares since he signed for us

Back to the coming games at hand, Mansfield return after the break with a home game against Bromley, which it is expected we will win. We're unbeaten so far at home - a convincing win against Doncaster, a thrashing of Luton and a battling clean sheet, with ten-men, against big-spending Huddersfield. Clough's sides often go on runs, both good and bad, so here's hoping that Bromley will be the start of a winning streak that will take us through October and include derby matches against Notts County in the league and Chesterfield in the Football League Trophy. The away form needs sorting, but once some of the injuries clear, I'm still confident that the new signings will click. They're all of a high-calibre and have seen a lot in the game. McGoldrick has looked rusty, but has still got himself into some good positions, and it's only a matter of time before he bangs one in. What better time to do that than against his former club, on Halloween - something that has been giving Notts fans nightmares since he signed for us!

The other former Magpie to sign this summer is George Abbott, recovering from an injury he picked up during his previous loan stint at Stags, last season. He is expected to be back after the break and what a great addition he is to a midfield already bursting with options. So for now, it's sit back, relax and enjoy. We won't win every game, but we'll compete. We've just got to let the big man do his thing.

mansfieldtown.net

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