With three sendings off, in just his first 5 matches, some supporters are questioning David Flitcroft’s start to his Mansfield Town reign.
It’s not just no wins in those five games, which has alarmed those loyal followers, a run which has now seen the Stags slip out of the play off frame.
But Mal Benning’s reckless lunge on former Stag Billy Kee, in the 13th minute of the home loss to Accrington Stanley, was the third time in Flitcroft’s short tenure, where Mansfield have been reduced to ten men.
The first, wasn’t so much of an issue, with Rhys Bennett sent off in the rugby battle with Lincoln City, coming in the dying moments of the onslaught of long balls into the home penalty area.
However, the next in the horrid display at Forest Green Rovers, where the Stags slipped to a 2-0 defeat, was vital defender Krystian Pearce on 84 minutes, and gave no hope of a comeback.
Now Flitcroft is determined to stamp his mark, saying his post match conference after the Stanley defeat that Benning would be fined for his challenge.
Is it a worry that three reds in the last five games are contributing to the Stags faltering form?
It’s not just the lack of discipline on the field either, assistant manager Ben Futcher was also sent to the stands at half time in the 1-0 loss to the leaders.
