Nigel Clough considers Bromley to be “dangerous” opposition after the Ravens lost 2-1 at Mansfield.
Goals from Stephen McLaughlin and Nathan Moriah-Welsh saw Mansfield win 2-1 despite JJ McKiernan’s equaliser for Bromley, as the Stags climbed to 14th in the League One table whilst Bromley fell to 21st position and inside the relegation zone.
Mansfield manager, Nigel Clough post-match explained to the club’s YouTube channel that he is pleased to see his team end their five-match winless streak in all competitions, but iterated that Bromley can’t be underestimated such is the attacking danger that they pose to any team.
“Well, it’s huge three points. It’s the first win for a few weeks. We had the international break but we didn’t have one before that. Two good draws against Huddersfield and Burton. Different circumstances.
“Uh but I thought we played well today and I thought we were worth our win and we deserved the three points.
“Bromley are an incredibly dangerous team. Uh and you saw that even in the first half when we had what 15 shots or something like that and yet they came back, one great touch in the box and brilliant finish. And you’re going in 1-1 and we’re wondering how we’re not two or three up.”
Clough proceeded to explain that his pre-match message to his Stags were to just try and get back to winning ways but felt that it could of easily been 3-2 after the opening ten minutes.
“Well let get back on it, you know, when you haven’t won for a few games. And we did start well. I thought they had a couple of situations as well. I thought after ten minutes, I thought it probably could have been about 3-2 to us.
“It was up and then it calmed down and I thought we got control of the game, got the lead, and didn’t quite manage to build on it. I think mainly cos of the timing of their goal. Uh that got them back into it and then I thought that livened them up and then gave them a spark for 5-10 minutes before half time.”
Like Andy Woodman, Clough was critical of referee – Simon Mather as he zoned in on the ref’s decisions not to give free-kicks for fouls to Michael Smith due to his height, but also acknowledged that Smith was unlucky not to score given the chances he had.
“No, no, it didn’t quite sit right for him. But he’s getting in there and his all-round game again, especially as the game wore on was very good today.
“It’s difficult when you’re bigger up there cos they had a couple of big centre-halves as well, but you don’t seem to get the free-kicks that smaller players get sometimes. They get manhandled, they get more but because he’s 6’3 or 4 himself uh he doesn’t get them which is a bit frustrating.”
“Uh but I thought he played well today.”
The 60-year-old manager, son of iconic Brian Clough, also had praise for Bromley’s McKiernan as he praised the 24-year-old for his equaliser.
“Disappointed with the throw-in because we know everyone gets obsessed that they’re going to play in there and then they all of a sudden they take one short. I think the lads missed it across a little bit, but after that I thought the touch and finish was outstanding.
“Not much you can do about it. You’ve got to get a little bit tighter. But his first touch and rifle in the bottom corner was excellent.”
Clough overall felt that his team had plenty of opportunities and was pleased with Moriah-Welsh’s winner after having pondered whether to rest him and start
“We created chances all throughout the game today. Even in the last minute, the one that hit the referee. I think Jon Russell was going to go clear one-on-one. Whether he’d had the legs to complete it I don’t know but he would have gone clear. It’s that sort of game. It’s quite open. But it was lovely just to get that.
“You know it was a good ball worked goal again. Michael Smith, brilliant little touch inside and Nathan back from a good spell internationally. Didn’t know whether to play him today just cos of the travelling and the games he’s had. But he just got the nod over Kyle Knoyle today.”
The second half subsequently was an open game following Moriah-Welsh’s goal which left Clough pleased at the entertainment value, as he praised Woodman for his success at Bromley and endorsed the team as he urged people to get down to see them up closer.
“Yeah very open game. And I think that’s what I want to see. You know, we’ve had I think there’s been nearly what? Over 35 shots in the game with both teams today. Good entertainment. That’s how we certainly want to play. And what’s Andy done there with Bromley coming through the leagues is nothing short of incredible.”
“You want to get down and see them a bit closer. They’re a little even more than you think from sitting up in the stand. That’s why they are where they are and what they’ve achieved, what they’ve done so far. Very very tough opponents.”