Darrell Clarke: Walsall's focus is on our own performances

The Stags have yet to win in League Two this season and following the loss to Barrow in mid-week, manager Graham Coughlan was sacked.

Academy manager Richard Cooper has taken over as caretaker manager of Mansfield but Clarke is adamant his side must focus on their game.

"They were one of the favourites for promotion this season – a healthy squad and healthy budget," Clarke said.

"They haven't had the start they'd like and it's always disappointing for managers to lose their job, it's never nice to see but that's the brutal world that we managers know we're in

"That's the way the footballing world is and I'm sure Graham will bounce back. I know Graham, he's a strong character and he'll learn from it.

"That's what you have to do when you get setbacks in life and football, learn from it and try and move forward, which I'm sure Graham and Mansfield will do.

"As a football club they're not in a position they want to be. It's probably come at an awkward time for us as they get a fresh impetus and a little bit of a boost but we have to go there and do our job.

"Show what we're about and focus on our performance.

"You only have to look at their squad to know the talent they have.

"They're massively underachieving and not hit their heights, so you have to be wary and respectful of that.

"We also have to make sure the focus is on us and about what we do. A new caretaker manager comes in and you can't second guess what they'll be about.

"You have to focus that our performance is better than what we performed the other night."

Tomorrow's game will see Clarke return to his childhood club.

Born in Mansfield and coming up through their academy, Clarke played in the first team for six years – but insists victory with Walsall is all he cares about.

"I used to walk to the ground as I lived a mile from the ground," Clarke added.

"I played over 100 games there from the age of 10 until 23. It's how I got into football, my grandad used to take me to the ground and I would sit there with a bag of sweets in the wooden stand.

"It's obviously a club I know a lot about and I was born in the town but it doesn't stop me wanting to win the game. I want to win every football match.

"You try and stay professional, I'm there to do a job and make sure none of that comes into play.

"Make sure we focus on getting that result, the three points, and start climbing up the table.

"You put all that aside. Obviously it's a stadium I know well but for me it's about being professional and making sure my lads perform.

"I don't take defeats too well and we want to be bouncing back."