Mansfield not worried about run of poor form

Charlton fans are already wallowing in their Slough of Despond as they anticipate another defeat at home to Mansfield tomorrow.

Mansfield made a superb start to their first League One campaign in 22 years and were fourth in the table at the end of October after losing just two of their opening 11 matches.

However, the Stags have since endured a six-game winless run, losing each of their last five league games, with 1-0 defeats to Wrexham, Bristol Rovers and Wycombe followed by a 3-1 loss at Bolton Wanderers and last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town.

The Stags are 10th in the league but bottom of the form table.    Charlton are 16th in the form table and 12th in the actual table.  Mansfield have won four and lost four away from home.  The Addicks have won three, drawn three and lost two at home.

After their defeat at Huddersfield, Nigel Clough emphasised the difficulty of Mansfield playing against ex-Premier League clubs (quite a novel excuse).  He felt that Mansfield deserved a point and said 'The lads have to keep going and keep believing.'

I think that Clough is one of the best coaches in the lower leagues and will no doubt have prepared his time for Charlton's shortcomings such as vulnerability at corners and a belief that the pitch is narrower than is actually the case.

I am poor at making forecasts, but a draw is possible.

CAS Trust note that we have never lost a competitive game against Mansfield, but then encounters have been rare and this one could turn out to be a Stag party: https://www.castrust.org/2024/12/stag-party-or-charlton-cheer-in-saturdays-pre-festive-fixture/