Nigel Clough has backed Mansfield Town's attacking players to deliver after a frustrating midweek EFL Trophy exit, insisting the squad has shown enough quality going forward to face Peterborough United with confidence.

Trophy setback put to one side

Speaking to Radio Nottingham, the Mansfield manager was measured but pointed in his assessment of the cup defeat. He did not shy away from the disappointment, but his emphasis was clear: the offensive signs have been positive enough that the result should not define the mood heading into the weekend.

"I think offensively we've shown enough," Clough said, a line that captures his broader message to the squad. Defeats in the Trophy sting, but they are not the measure by which a League One campaign is judged. Three points on Saturday matter considerably more.

Clough's team have already demonstrated their goalscoring intent in the league this season. The 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers, in which Liam Thompson drew particular praise from manager Nigel Wilson, showed Mansfield can find a way to goal even when the game is tight. That capacity to score is what Clough is leaning on as he prepares his players for a harder test.

Peterborough arrive at Field Mill

Peterborough United are the visitors, and they arrive as one of League One's most recognisable attacking forces. Clough will know that the defensive side of his team's game will come under scrutiny just as much as the forward play he praised. Posh have the personnel to punish any side that switches off.

For Mansfield, the home fixture is a chance to build on the league form that has given supporters genuine optimism early in the 2026-27 campaign. Field Mill can be a difficult venue for visiting teams, and Clough will want his side to exploit that advantage from the first whistle.

The manager's tone suggested no dramatic changes to his approach. He was calm, focused and clearly determined not to let the Trophy exit linger. His squad, he implied, are in good enough shape offensively to trouble Peterborough, and he will expect them to prove it on the pitch.

What to watch for on Saturday

Clough gave no specific team news in the Radio Nottingham interview, but the midweek cup match will have given him a look at fringe players under competitive conditions. Whether any of those performers force their way into his league thinking remains to be seen.

The key questions going into the Peterborough fixture are straightforward: can Mansfield's attackers back up the manager's words with a decisive performance, and can their defence handle one of the division's more dangerous forward lines?

Clough's public confidence in his forward players reads as deliberate. He is setting a standard and inviting them to meet it. Against Peterborough at Field Mill, the answer will come quickly.

  • Fixture: Mansfield Town vs Peterborough United, League One
  • Clough's message: Offensive output has been good enough; cup defeat should not affect league focus
  • Context: Mansfield arrive on the back of a 2-1 league win over Doncaster Rovers

Frequently asked

When do Mansfield Town play Peterborough United?
The League One fixture between Mansfield Town and Peterborough United is scheduled for the weekend of 23 August 2026. Check Field Mill for exact kick-off time.
What did Nigel Clough say after Mansfield's Trophy defeat?
Clough told Radio Nottingham that he believes Mansfield have shown enough going forward, and he was keen to focus on the upcoming league match against Peterborough rather than dwell on the cup exit.
How have Mansfield Town been performing in League One this season?
Mansfield began the 2026-27 League One season with a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers, giving Clough and supporters early encouragement about the team's attacking threat.