Mansfield continues to wow. They not only defeated Notts County at Meadow Lane on Saturday, but they did it convincingly.
County, who were league leaders at the time, had no answer for the sleek Stags, who were content to relinquish possession and play fast in transition.
Despite their hosts having 65% possession, Mansfield outshot them 21-9, had more efforts on target (9-2) and easily won the xG battle (2.01 to 1.16).
It was a big statement win for them, keeping them unblemished in 13 games and taking out one of the promotion favorites.
That is a winning formula at any level of football.
What’s more, Clough’s men have put up these league-leading numbers while facing probably the hardest schedule any Sky Bet League Two club has encountered thus far.
Mansfield have faced five of the current top seven and seven of the current top nine in their 13 league games, with only four of their opponents coming from the bottom half of the table.
For comparison, Notts County, the side they defeated on Saturday, has faced only two of the current top seven, while facing nine of the bottom 12.
The remainder of October’s calendar is light for Mansfield, with games against second-from-bottom Forest Green, 17th-placed Harrogate, and 13th-placed Walsall completing out the month.
Sky Bet League Two title/promotion odds are 23/24 (through Sky Bet).
Stockport – 2/5 | 9/4 Wrexham – 4/7 | 10/3 Notts County – 8/13 | 4/1 Mansfield – 8/11 | 4/1 Swindon – 2/1 | 12/1 AFC Wimbledon – 3/1 | 22/1 Gillingham – 10/3 | 25/1
