Football Season Guide

Mansfield Town will go into the new season hoping to build upon an encouraging first season under rookie boss Adam Murray. He took over from manager Paul Cox in November 2014, replacing the increasingly unpopular Cox, who had led the club back to the Football League as Conference Champions in 2013. Murray struggled at first and regularly expressed his frustration at his sides’ inconsistent performances as they fought a battle for their Football League survival. The side eventually finishing in 20th place in 2014/15 and Murray made wholesale changes to his squad last summer, including the marquee signing of striker Matt Green, who returned for his second spell with the club from Birmingham City. The Stags made a positive start to the season and were in the play-off places as they headed into Christmas. They fell off the pace in the New Year and a run of seven games without a win in March ended any hopes of finishing in the top seven, eventually securing a 12th place finish. Murray has spent this summer strengthening his squad further with the arrival of full-backs Ashley Hemmings and Rhys Bennett and centre-back George Taft. Strikers Danny Rose and Pat Hoban have joined from Bury and Oxford United respectively whilst the capture of midfielder Kevan Hurst from Southend United is something a coup. It will soften the blow following the departures of centre-back and player of the season Ryan Tafazolli to Peterborough United and wingers Matty Blair and Reggie Lambe to Doncaster Rovers and Carlisle United respectively. Murray will be pleased to have retained the services of defender Krystian Pearce, midfielder Adam Chapman and Matt Green, who finished last season as leading goalscorer with 16 goals. Expectations can often be high at Field Mill and they will be hoping to make a concerted challenge for the play-offs this time around.