After 17 rounds of football, the Stags occupy a direct promotion spot as one of the few unbeaten teams in England. There are reasons to be optimistic as they have already played some of the best sides in the league in Stockport, Wrexham, and Notts County. Evaluating the Mansfield Town promotion odds will require analyzing the team, but also the other contenders who will surely do everything to make this season a successful one.
This article will offer my perspective on Mansfield’s chances for promotion and the potential stumbling blocks to what could be a historic season.
The Man Behind Mansfield’s Promotion Push
I will never forget the first time I saw a Nigel Clough team. It was the 3rd round of the FA Cup in 2006 when his Burton Albion were drawn to face the mighty Manchester United at home. Against all odds, Burton fought bravely for a draw and a replay at Old Trafford.
If it wasn’t for a goalline clearance courtesy of a young Phil Bardsley, they would have maybe even beaten the Red Devils who had both Rooney and Ronaldo on the pitch for a considerable amount of time. Burton lost the return leg in front of 11,000 of their own fans, but it was still the event that introduced the now-stable League 1 side to the world.
Since then, the Brewers have gone through a steady rise through the English football pyramid, albeit without Clough at the helm who became too much in demand to stick around. Eventually, he returned to lead the club to promotion and subsequent survival in the Championship which is the club’s biggest success to date.
The Mansfield Job
In many ways, the task he has at Mansfield is about repeating the success he had at Burton. The ownership has been desperate to see the club in a higher rank, but they have found out the hard way that it cannot happen overnight. It’s been more than a decade since Mansfield won promotion from the Conference and they’ve been a constant in League 2 ever since.
Clough’s arrival brought a sense of hope and enthusiasm for the club with a long-term vision being universally accepted by everyone associated with the Stags. His signings over the past few windows have injected experience and know-how that quickly transformed the club from a relegation struggler to a promotion-chasing force.
Mansfield just equaled the club’s record from 1976 for most games undefeated following their win over Walsall. However, no one should be surprised as the team has gone on undefeated runs quite frequently since Clough’s arrival. Looking from all angles, Mansfield is a proper Nigel Clough side as they are solid, organized, and equipped with a never-say-die attitude.
The Team
With one of the oldest squads in the league, the Stags recruitment has been centered around utilizing the wisdom of experienced EFL players. Stalwarts like Luke Akins, Stephen McQueen, and Aden Flint have been the predominant profile for recruitment, with the club focusing on bringing in players who can make an immediate impact on the pitch.
During the last summer transfer window, Clough secured the permanent stay of keeper Christy Pym who was an ever-present figure during his loan stay last season. He also brought in experienced defenders Aden Flint and Baily Cargill to improve the solidity at the back.
Captain Ollie Clarke, creative midfielder George Maris, and journeyman striker Jordan Bowery remain the only three players in the team from the old guard, all with important roles both on and off the pitch.
The Rotation
Mansfield play a positive brand of football with a relatively uncommon setup for EFL sides. The team usually sets up in a 4–3–1–2 formation without any wingers and with the aim to control the game in all four phases of play. Former Sheffield United midfielder Louis Reed is at the heart of the Stags’ midfield, surrounded by captain Ollie Clarke and George Marris.
Slightly further up is the creative force of the team, Davis Keillor-Dunn who occupies the number 10 position behind Lucas Akins who plays in one of the two spots in attack. The second spot is shared between Rhys Oates, James Gale, and Will Swann who’s on loan from Nottingham Forest. Occasionally, Clough opts for a more defensive setup with Keilor-Dunn in the spot of the other forward, which allows him to add another midfielder in his place.
Last campaign Clough’s Mansfield Town played in a 3–5–2 system with Jordan Bowery often acting as a right winger. Having manifested his prowess in the lateral areas, Bowery is now being used as an attacking right back despite his long history as a forward. At the opposite end, former Scotland youth international Calum MacDonald is the most commonly used left back.
The Tactics
A winger-free formation typically invites opposition attacks from the flanks. After the opponent progresses the ball deep enough, the pressing trap gets activated after which theoretically, the defending team may be able to either organize a slow attack or try a direct attack.
In possession, Mansfield strive to be a high-crossing team, averaging almost 20 crosses per game. This approach allows the team to maintain their defensive shape while attacking the opponent’s goal. The energetic midfielders are always vigilant for second ball opportunities after each cross and arrive late to be on the other end of a backpass.
The high number of midfielders forces any opposition to focus their defensive organization more centrally. This allows the fullbacks the freedom to attack by creating overloads on each side. The midfielders possess the prowess to switch the play quickly and create crossing opportunities on the opposite side.
The large concentration of midfield players allows Mansfield to assert dominance in numbers in the opposition box as they’re able to quickly flood the area before the cross arrives.
The Competition
When discussing the promotion chances of any team, it’s important to consider the strength of their opponents. After the playoff disappointment of last season, Stockport have huffed and puffed to the top spot and made themselves look like the most likely winner. From then, it’s going to be a dogfight for the remaining two places that guarantee promotion.
Notts County and Wrexham are both on 33 points and breathe down the Stags’ neck, while Crew Alexandria, Barrow, and Accrington Stanley have managed to keep up to remain in the race. All things considered, it’s way too early to write off Gillingham, Swindon, Morecambe, and Wimbledon, all of whom are just an inch away.
The form that Notts County and Wrexham displayed last campaign in the National League compelled many people to have them as favorites. Transfers like David McGoldrick, Dan Crowley, James McClean, George Evans, Steven Fletcher have further enhanced what were already formidable teams, but this season has taught us that League 2 is most definitely not a popularity contest.
Mansfield Town Promotion Odds
At the moment Mansfield are 1/4 to secure promotion which makes them the second-most likely team in League 2. That reflects their current position, form, their unbeaten status, but also the results they achieved playing against direct competitors.
Stockport are unsurprisingly the clear favorites at 1/9, while Wrexham(4/11) are ahead of Notts County(4/6) despite being behind them on the table. The bookies still hold Wimbledon in high regard as they have them at 7/2 which is good enough to be the 5th favorite.
