Nigel Clough has publicly criticised strikers David McGoldrick and Rhys Oates after their below-par displays contributed to Mansfield Town's heavy 5-0 defeat at Reading on Wednesday evening.

A damaging first half

Clough described the result as "strange", pointing out that his side were "absolutely fine" before the game turned against them. Three goals in nine minutes before the break effectively ended Mansfield's hopes of taking anything from the match. The Stags boss felt the referee missed a foul in the build-up to Jack Marriott's opener and attributed the second goal to an error by goalkeeper Harry Lewis, but it was the two strikers who bore the brunt of his frustration.

"I thought the biggest problem we had in the first half was the two strikers who gave us absolutely nothing and lost the ball a majority of the time they got it," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham. "That was the reason we didn't get more of a foothold and a goal."

A first start together that misfired

McGoldrick and Oates were handed a rare opportunity, starting together up front for the first time. Clough had made six changes to the side that beat Luton Town 5-2 on the Sunday, dropping Regan Hendry to the bench and resting Michael Smith after that win. Both McGoldrick and Oates had come off the bench in that Luton fixture, but were trusted with starting roles at Reading.

McGoldrick, who joined Mansfield in June, carries two decades of professional experience, having played for clubs including Ipswich Town, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest. Oates is one of the Stags' most familiar faces, now into his sixth year at Field Mill. Neither man repaid Clough's faith on the night.

"We gave Rhys and David an opportunity and they didn't take it very well tonight," the manager said, though he stopped short of using his own rotation as an excuse for the defeat. "That's not the problem. The issue is the players that come in then have to do their jobs."

No time to dwell

Mansfield now face a quick turnaround, with a trip to Bradford City scheduled for Saturday. Clough was emphatic that the squad cannot afford to let confidence slide after such a sobering result.

"We have no time to let their heads dip," he said. "We just have to play better, defend better in the crucial moments and again it comes down to both penalty areas tonight."

The back-to-back nature of the fixtures in League One means Clough will need a sharper response, and fast. A third-tier season can turn quickly on such heavy reversals, and the manager will expect the experienced players in his squad to show their worth when the Stags head to West Yorkshire.

  • Half-time score at Reading: Reading 3-0 Mansfield (three goals in a nine-minute spell)
  • Final score: Reading 5-0 Mansfield
  • Next fixture: Bradford City vs Mansfield Town, Saturday

Frequently asked

What did Nigel Clough say about McGoldrick and Oates after the Reading defeat?
Clough said the two strikers gave Mansfield "absolutely nothing" in the first half, losing the ball the majority of times they received it, and he felt their poor performance was the main reason Mansfield failed to get a foothold in the game.
What was the score in Mansfield's match at Reading?
Reading beat Mansfield Town 5-0, with three of those goals coming in a nine-minute spell before half-time.
When do Mansfield play next after the Reading defeat?
Mansfield travel to Bradford City on Saturday, just three days after the heavy loss at Reading.