Nigel Clough, the manager of Mansfield Town, thinks his team is a clear underdog in tomorrow night’s EFL Cup third-round matchup.
The League Two promotion hopefuls have reached the third round stage of the competition for the first time in 18 years with Clough believing his side will need to be ‘very close to their best’ to advance further.
“We go into the game as underdogs because of the strengths and quality of the team that we are facing,” Clough said
“They are that full league above us, but we know that on our day we can compete with teams from the league above – but to do that we will have to be close to our best.
No matter whatever team we field, we won’t alter our strategy. We’ll make an effort to move forward, create issues, and harm them.
We are optimistic at the moment and the camp is in a good attitude. We look forward to practice and games and just want to keep winning.
Stags are currently undefeated in League Two, while Posh are currently eighth in League One after a recent string of inconsistent performances.
Nevertheless, Clough is fully aware of the risks that Peterborough will pose to his team despite that run.
“We understand that they are a league above and a very good side at that, a side who will be up there challenging this season,” Clough continued.
“There will be two sides competing to play football in a good open game. I’ve always played well against Darren’s team, so the cup matchup should be entertaining.
“Peterborough is dangerous on the break and has speed and athleticism in the attacking zones. They have a large number of swift players.
Christy Pym, a former Peterborough United goalkeeper, will play against his former manager in the match after completing his loan transfer from Posh in the summer.
Pym joined Posh in July 2019 from Exeter City and made 94 appearances.
He was a regular throughout the 2020–21 Posh promotion campaign, but the next year, he and manager Darren Ferguson had a falling-out.
When United was eliminated from the League One play-offs last season, Pym came under fire for making fun of Ferguson.
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