Football Season Guide

Manager David Flitcroft will be hoping to get a grip on the task ahead of him at Mansfield Town following a disappointing start to his reign. Everything was turned on its’ head back in February when Steve Evans resigned as manager to take over at Peterborough United and Flitcroft opted to leave his job at Swindon Town to take over at Field Mill. He inherited an expensively assembled squad which was challenging for automatic promotion but just two victories from a dozen league matches saw the side miss out on a play-off place and finish in 8th place in the League Two table. Whilst some of the responsibility can be laid at the feet of Evans, it is an abject failure which will increase the pressure on Flitcroft to deliver this time around. He has been supported in the transfer market by owner John Radford and has paid significant undisclosed fees to bring in winger Otis Khan and striker Craig Davies from Yeovil Town and Oldham Athletic respectively this summer. He has returned to former club Swindon Town to bring in centre-back Matt Preston, experienced midfielder Neal Bishop has joined from Scunthorpe United and talented young striker Tyler Walker on a season-long loan from neighbours Nottingham Forest. The Stags currently have a huge squad, including several youngsters which have come through the youth system. Several players are likely to be allowed to leave the club and will follow the likes of defender Johnny Hunt and midfielder Joel Byrom, who have both joined Stevenage. Defender Rhys Bennett and midfielder Alfie Potter have also departed despite being regulars in the side under Evans. Flitcroft will need to make a good start to the season if he is to be given time to establish his own team at Field Mill but there is plenty of cause for optimism.