15/11/2008 - Somner: There's not too much wrong with Stags
We Can draw lessons from the past but we cannot re-live it, said former US president Lyndon Johnson. It is a mantra that Mansfield should take to heart over the next few weeks.Having suffered a disastrous run of form, in stark contrast to their bright start to the season, and a points deduction by the Conference, the Stags have good reason to look back in anger.
But the past is the past and in the precarious league position that Billy McEwan's side now find themselves, they cannot afford to beat themselves up over their mistakes.
No-one agrees with that more than midfielder Matt Somner and it is only the future, including this afternoon's game with Salisbury, that occupies his thoughts now.
He knows there are issues that need to be addressed, aspects of their play that need tidying up.
But he also believes Mansfield must remain positive in the aftermath of their FA Cup exit at the hands of Chesterfield and is confident better times are around the corner.
"It is nice to get back to the league after all the cup games and we need to get some points on the board," said Somner.
"In recent performances I feel we haven't been too bad and I think that was the case again last Saturday.
"At least now we can concentrate on that and we haven't got any distractions."
He continued: "We don't want to be where we are in the table and we want to get up in the top half as quickly as possible. The lads are confident. We know a few things need improving, but we are working to sort those out.
"It gave us a lift, how we played at Chesterfield, but it is all about how you play on the day and if you don't perform we will get beaten by Salisbury."
Somner feels the 3-1 margin of victory flattered the Spireities but he pointed to the fact that Mansfield failed to take their chances, while the hosts took theirs.
To him, it proves the Stags do not have to change all that much to get it right.
He said: "We played some good stuff and had some good chances in the first half.
"Emile (Sinclair) couldn't get enough on his to turn it into the corner while Alan O'Hare's overhead kick went straight at the keeper when it could easily have gone in.
"For their goals, the first one took a bobble in front of Paddy and that put us on a downer just before half time.
"The second one was a good break but even then I think Ward's shot deflected in off one of our defenders to take it in.
"The third one was a good strike and you have to hold your hands up to that because it was right in the corner."
He added: "The gaffer was disappointed because he felt we deserved better.
"He said if we looked at the last few games, then he couldn't fault our efforts because we were running our socks off.
"But he said we needed to be more clinical."
Somner has been impressed with Mansfield's latest two loan recruits, Emile Sinclair and Adnan Ahmed, who have followed Max Chanot into Field Mill.
"I think Emile's been a good addition to our team since coming in," said Somner. "He's got good pace and is always looking to get in behind, which is his game
"It is a situation where it is helping him and helping Forest, as well as helping us.
"At the City Ground they have got so many young lads that there is a lot of competition to get in the side.
"It is very hard at this level, very competitive, but that will be good for him."
He added: "Adnan brings more of an attacking influence when he plays in our midfield.
"The other three of us are all more defensive types and having him here increases the competition.
"I think he has done really well in the last couple of games and I think he has enjoyed playing regularly.
"I always welcome competition because it keeps you on your toes. If there was only me and another midfielder, then you always know at the back of your mind you are going to be in the team.
"That is not the case when there is four of you and the gaffer has already shown that he is not afraid to drop anyone."