Mansfield boss Nigel Clough labelled his side’s error-strewn display in a 5-1 home hammering by Reading “embarrassing and inexcusable”.
Stags, knowing a point will ensure their safety – barring an extraordinary goal difference swing to Bristol Rovers – matched the promotion-chasing Royals for long periods but gifted them goal after goal.
Louis Reed’s stray pass led to Jayden Wareham’s 35th-minute opener, half-time substitute George Williams scored an own goal four minutes later and another loose pass by Keanu Baccus saw Lewis Wing smash home from 25 yards on 57 minutes.
Baccus pulled one back only to see Wareham net a second after a poor kick out by Christy Pym on 74 minutes.
In added time Deji Oshilaja’s misplaced back-pass saw Billy Bodin make it five and Clough said: “It was four horrific mistakes and an absolutely stunning strike.
“You can’t do anything about the stunning strike but the four mistakes for the goals were absolutely horrific.
“It’s obviously down to players probably not being good enough.
“They had a good first half of the season but can’t sustain it and now it’s 11 goals in three games conceded – but today was by far the worst.
“I thought for 35 minutes we were absolutely brilliant in terms of our football. Then the next level is having the quality in the final third to hit the target instead of putting it in the stand.
“Then we made one of the first horrific mistakes with Louis Reed, their lad gets one shot from 20 yards and it goes into the bottom corner.
“I find it quite embarrassing and inexcusable.
“We need one point from three games to stay up – it is as clear and stark as that.
“But I think today has been very clarifying of what we have struggled with. Maybe performances and victories in the first half of the season covered up a little bit.
“It has been a difficult afternoon with the mistakes but shows everything clearly – exactly where we are short and what we need.”
Reading have now only lost twice in 17 games and manager Noel Hunt said: “That was a really strong performance today and we now have to back it up next week.
“It did not start easy – Mansfield have a big strong side with a really good, experienced manager. We had to be at our best to get on top of them and take over.
“We had a really good team meeting this morning about the opportunity we have given ourselves after our hard work this season, and there are three ways it can go.
“We can turn and walk home, we can stand still and watch it or we can step forward and embrace it and take it on. I think we have done the latter today and I am delighted.
“I thought the boys were outstanding today and were brave in their play.
“If we get the balance right we will have a full-strength squad as we head to the end of the season. You don’t often say that.
“I think we are getting stronger, fitter and faster.”
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
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[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
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