Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft hits back at critics over use of Alex MacDonald as right wing back

With Stags trailing 1-0 and struggling to create chances, Flitcroft pushed MacDonald into a midfield role after the break but was happy with the player’s first half contribution and, as a winger by trade and tenacious tackler, said using MacDonald as a right wing back was an obvious choice.

“He has played 85 per cent of his career as a right winger so it should have been the easiest game he has ever had,” said Flitcroft.

“He has played 25 games a central midfielder, so the stats back up the decision I took.

“Was he better second half? A million per cent. But the game was totally different second half. They sat deep and we got on top of them.

“I’ve seen the decision being questioned and I am shocked.

“Alex MacDonald has been a right winger all his career, but suddenly now he can’t play right wing or right wing back – it’s quite incredible.”