Clough Expresses Distrust in Players Following Mansfield’s Defeat

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough, who guided the team to promotion from League Two last season, stated his lack of trust in players as he criticized Hiram Boateng for an “incredibly silly decision” that led to 10-man Mansfield collapsing to a surprising defeat against Bolton Wanderers. Boateng had given the Stags an early lead with a first-half goal, but the game’s momentum shifted after the midfielder’s dismissal in the 70th minute for a foul on Randell Williams, marking his second caution within 11 minutes. Soon after, Bolton equalized through Dion Charles, and two more goals within 10 minutes from Victor Adeboyejo and John McAtee secured a remarkable comeback victory for the home side. Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Clough commented: “That’s three points thrown away. We have now lost four league games on the spin which is a disgrace considering the four performances we have put in. But we must do everything absolutely right to get a result. We did 90% of it right but one player made an incredibly silly decision and it cost us the game.” Boateng’s sending off prompted the manager, a former striker for England, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, and Manchester City, to recall advice he received decades ago. Clough recounted: “I used to work with a very decent man called Graham Taylor at England and he said ultimately players will always let you down. I don’t trust players, I really don’t. Any of them, as good a squad as we have got, I don’t trust players.” While Clough was critical of Boateng, he also accepted some responsibility for not heeding assistant manager Andy Garner’s suggestion to substitute the 28-year-old. Clough stated: “It’s my fault, I should have brought Boateng off when he was on a yellow card. Andy said, ‘Are you going to get him off’? And I said, ‘Give him five minutes’. Then he goes and makes a tackle like that, which for an experienced player to do when on a yellow card is quite incredible. Normally when players are on yellow cards we bring them off. They will come off in future every time.” Clough further expressed that the loss, after going “toe to toe” with a Bolton side that was one win away from promotion back to the Championship last season, left him “hugely frustrated and disappointed.” Mansfield’s defeat at Bolton, following three consecutive 1-0 losses against Wycombe, Wrexham, and Bristol Roves, places them 10th in the league table. Sandi Toksvig is accompanied by Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi, and Alan Davies. Audiences can sing along to music from Queen, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and other artists. Ben Fogle and Kate Humble return for the celebrations at Longleat Safari Park. Topics range from microplastics in the air, soil, and waterways to the current levels of food waste. © 2024 BBC. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.