Football Season Guide

The Stags have been installed as the bookmakers' favourites to lift the League Two title in 2017/18 having invested heavily in the squad over the summer. Former Leeds United manager Steve Evans was appointed in November 2016 but was unable to guide the club into the play-offs, eventually finishing in 12th place. Despite that disappointment, there was plenty of optimism amongst the Field Mill faithful. Evans has been backed again this summer with owner John Radford providing significant funds and, at the time of writing, 13 players have already been signed. Evans hasn't finished yet and he has revealed he is still looking to make two more additions, including a top-class striker. Striker, Lee Angol, and former Peterborough United teammate Hayden White have joined for undisclosed fees. Meanwhile, defender David Mirfin and midfielders Paul Anderson and Will Atkinson were all playing in League One last season so they will add plenty of strength and experience to the middle of the park. They will go some way to replacing midfielder Ben Whiteman who was outstanding during his loan from Sheffield United and will be a big loss. However, the most notable departure during the close season is that of striker and leading goalscorer Matt Green, who fell out with Evans and has joined league newboys Lincoln City. Experienced defender Lee Collins and midfielder Jamie McGuire have both been allowed to leave the club whilst Evans has made a clean sweep of goalkeepers with Brian Jensen and Scott Shearer replaced by Bobby Olejnik and Conrad Logan, who will fight it out for the No.1 jersey. Mansfield already look strong defensively having held on to versatile centre back and player of the season Rhys Bennett as well as attacking full-back Malvind Benning. If Evans can find the 20-goal-a-season striker he craves, then the Stags look well-placed to finish in the automatic promotion positions this season and reach League One.