Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has expressed excitement at being back at One Call Stadium this Saturday and receive the ‘boost’ of being in front of the Stags’ home support.
The gaffer’s squad take on Tranmere Rovers in the club’s first home outing of the 2022/23 season.
Since October 2021, Mansfield have lost just once in the league at One Call Stadium and the boss hopes the impressive run can continue this term.
Speaking to the local media today at RH Academy, Nigel said: “I hope it will be the same [success at home] this season [as last campaign] with even more support behind us.
“I wish we could play every game at home.
“We like playing at home.
“When we run out in front of our supporters it lifts us, it boosts us [and] it gets us on the front foot.
“Opposition sides will be saying ‘let’s keep it [the crowd] quiet’.
“Once we get on the front foot, get a goal, create a chance – anything – then the crowd will be right behind us.
“It is [One Call Stadium] one of those grounds [where] it does feel like there’s a lot more in there.
“It is a great atmosphere.”
With a record number of season tickets achieved in modern times ahead of the new season, the manager says his squad have an extra ‘responsibility’ given the immense sales figures and the current economic climate.
“[It’s] More of a responsibility on us to make sure we entertain them [the fans] for spending their hard-earned money on season tickets,” he said.
“The owners have always been conscious on that side of it.
“Certainly, football at the top level these days isn’t affordable to a lot of people.”
When asked who might not be involved for the Stags this weekend, the boss said: “I don’t think James Perch will be quite right for this weekend.
“Kieran Wallace is still out [and] obviously Jason Law is still out so no changes there.
“Hawks [Oli Hawkins] will be available after his suspension which is good news.
“Oatesy [Rhys Oates] rolled his ankle a little bit so he won’t train in the early part of this week, but he should be alright for the weekend.”
The Stags’ chief outlined the strengths of this Saturday’s opponents, Tranmere.
“They’re [Tranmere] a slightly different side than we saw last season,” he said.
“There’s still one of our ex-players upfront who’ll be a major threat in Kane Hemmings.
“Our supporters will know all about him.
“I think the front two are as dangerous as anybody [in League Two].”
The manager also provided the latest update on potential transfer activity.
“We’re reasonably close with bringing a permanent signing in,” said the gaffer.
“[There’s] Just a stumbling block that we’ve hit.
“[We’re] Hoping to resolve that.
“It might get resolved, it might not.
“[He’s] Just a player that we’ve had our eye on for a while. We’re down the road with negotiations but just a little stumbling block in the way now.”
