Mansfield Town have adapted to life in League One seamlessly after winning promotion automatically from League Two last season.
The Stags sit in 7th position in the third tier table but have two or even three games in hand on the majority of the sides above them putting their fate in their own hands to climb back into the play off spots.
They have impressed and sit within touching distance of fellow promoted sides Wrexham and Stockport.
However, not everyone thought they’d do as well as they are with the League One Lowdown podcast, actually predicting relegation for Nigel Clough’s side at the start of the season.
Out of the four hosts, three predicted relegation with only one (me) suggesting they could stay up (16th). The hosts addressed their predictions in their latest episode.
What did the hosts say about Mansfield Town’s relegation prediction?
Hosts Sam and Callum took a look at the prediction in the episode titled “Our Predictions Were Wrong“
“This one is the biggest shocker”
“I think some other Mansfield Town fans may have also said this”
“We predicted Mansfield Town to finish 22nd”
“Other than the owner of The Deck Ryan who was wondering what on earth we were thinking when he saw this come out”
“Maybe it was a lack of research on our part, with the players they brought in”
“I don’t know what else we can say about this one? Sorry I suppose”
Later in the podcast the pair admitted to “having a mare” and suggesting it was their “biggest mistake” of all of their predictions, alongside Charlton Athletic, Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers.
Can Mansfield Town build on their good start?
Mansfield certainly have the capability of competing again towards the top of the table. However, the challenge will come later in the season as fatigue and injuries take its toll. Whilst they have a strong squad, compared to some of the other teams towards the top of the table, who can afford to have multi-million pound signings sat on the bench.
They will need a little bit of luck and perhaps some careful planning and squad management, but Clough is experienced enough to know what he will need to do and what he needs to maintain their form.
