Archived News from January 2022
|
CLOUGH ON TRANSFERS / O'TOOLE INTERVIEW
|
 |
|
Setting new club record is an ‘incentive’ says boss
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 25th January 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough believes the possibility of setting a new club record of eight successive league wins on Saturday adds extra ‘incentive’ on the Leyton Orient clash. The Stags have now won 13 out of the last 15 matches in all competitions. The manager admitted a new club record would be an added bonus as the club look to finish the season in the promotion hunt. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/january/setting-new-club-record-is-an-incentive-says-boss/ “That’s [setting a new club record] a great incentive for us,” he said. “On top of what’s already there [the record], just getting the three points and trying to improve our league position [will be important].” The run emphasises the magnificent sequence of form the Stags are in of late. “It’s nice when you know you’re having a good run,” said the manager. “All the years that the football club has been in the Football League and you’re equalling a record. “It shows we’re doing something right at the moment.” Ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Leyton Orient, the boss is hopeful that the Stags’ supporters will gather in large numbers to see a potentially record-breaking afternoon. “If they [the supporters] can [get to the Leyton Orient game] that would be wonderful. “I think supporters are enjoying the way that we’re playing at the moment, certainly the victories. “Enjoy it whilst it lasts. “However many numbers in there [inside One Call Stadium] sounds a lot more when we do play. “The atmosphere is brilliant. “We’ve got to keep providing the performances on the pitch and the crowds will come and the atmosphere will be there.” The boss feels the weekend’s visitors will provide challenging opposition. When asked the type of game the manager expects, he said: “A tough one. We had an unbelievably tough game down there [earlier in the season]. “[They are] Very, very difficult to beat, Kenny Jackett’s teams. “They’ve got a good home record, I think they’ve had a lot of draws on the road and not many defeats. “I think the first goal is going to be vital on Saturday.” The Stags could see experienced defender James Perch in the matchday squad, in protective head gear, for the first time in five months. The 36-year-old suffered a fractured skull in mid-August but received positive news recently by a specialist in returning to action. “It is one of the best pieces of news we’ve had for some time,” the gaffer said. “[It was] unexpected] as we were thinking he was going to be out for the season. “He saw a specialist a few weeks ago, he got the provisional okay to start training with a protection, he’s got a guard on [when playing]. “[He’s been in training for] Varying stages for a few weeks, but we didn’t want to say anything too early. “We wanted to make sure everything’s okay, he’s back in full-contact training now.” The return of the Perch could have further effects on potential incomings and outgoings within the squad. “With Perchy coming back and JJ signing on a permanent, with Hawkins playing back there as well [then] Richard’s [Nartey] injury set him back. “He’s [Nartey] been fit for a week or two now but it’s difficult for players on the fringes to get in [the starting XI] with the team doing so well and he understands that. “What we don’t want to do is keep Richard around for the sake of it when he could be playing somewhere else or go back to Burnley and play for them.” On a potential return for defender Will Forrester the boss said: “You never know in the last day or two in the window. “At the moment it’s a ‘no’ from Stoke but we’ll see how we go. “A lot can happen in the next few days.” To watch the manager's interview in full, click here. ------------------------- Mansfield Town still hoping on a utility player before window closes chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 25th January 2022 Mansfield Town expect to bring in a utility player as their final major move in the January window. Having signed Joe-Joe O'Toole and Lucas Akins, boss Nigel Clough said: “We hope to bring one more in as cover. “We are still looking for a utility player. We've got one lined up and he should be in by the end of the week if not early next week before the window closes.” Clough was delighted to seal the Akins deal on Thursday, saying: “The only reason you get people like Lucas Akins sometimes is their personal circumstances. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-still-hoping-on-a-utility-player-before-window-closes-3541587 “He's got a young family and he lives up in Huddersfield, so this is closer for him. “Sometimes you just drop lucky. We have been trying to get him for the last 12 months and have eventually got deal deal over the line, so we're absolutely delighted. “I thought his first display on Saturday on his debut was outstanding.” Another Burton player, defender Keiran Wallace may still join before deadline on Monday, Stags having already spoken to the player and checked on an injury he is nursing. “We have worked with Keiran before,” said Clough. “He had a slightly sore knee so it's something we will look at again towards the end of the week. We will try to revisit that one.” On potential outgoing transfers, he added: “We have had one or two enquiries that we have rebuffed at the moment, but we will see if there are any developments.” ---------------------- End of the road for Burnley loanee Richard Nartey at Mansfield Town? chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 25th January 2022 Mansfield Town may allow Burnley centre half Richard Nartey to return to Turf Moor after an ill-fated loan spell with the Stags. Clough doesn't want the 23-year-old sat in the stands forever, but will not make a hasty decision with no certainty over the returning James Perch's fitness, a two-game suspension for Farrend Rawson and Oli Hawkins one booking away from a two-game ban. Nartey has spent much of his loan spell out injured but is now fit again and Clough said: We will see how it goes. “Obviously we brought him into the club in mind of James Perch being out, so he may go back. We're not sure and we will see how James goes at Alfreton tonight first. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/end-of-the-road-for-burnley-loanee-richard-nartey-at-mansfield-town-3541984 “With Perchy coming back and JJ (O'Toole) signing permanent and Hawkins playing back there as well, Richard's injury really set him back though he has been fit for a week or two. “But it's difficult for players on the fringes to get in with the team doing so well, and he understands that. “What we don't want to do is just keep Richard around for the sake of it when he can go out there and maybe play for somebody else or go back to Burnley and play for them. “We will have a chat with him about what he wants to do - we still have five or six days before the window closes. “We will see how we go - anything could happen in the next few days.” Nartey made his debut in the 3-1 home defeat by Harrogate in September and also started the 3-1 loss at Walsall soon after. Injury then saw a long lay-off with his only other appearance as a late sub in the home win over Swindon in January. Stags will be without Rawson for Saturday's visit of Leyton Orient after two cautions in four minutes saw him dismissed at Barrow last weekend. “He misses two games now which is unfortunate,” said Clough. “We can't complain about the second yellow card but the first one wasn't even a foul, never mind a yellow. “But we will deal with it. The other slight complication is Oli Hawkins is now on nine bookings and if he gets one more he will miss two games. “If Oli Hawkins gets booked that might change the situation.” “So we will do everything we can for him not to be booked on Saturday, otherwise they will both be missing for Harrogate which we could do without.” It looks unlikely Stoke City loanee centre half Will Forrester will return to Mansfield to extend that spell too with Stoke still refusing to allow him out again and Stags now having more cover in the position. “You never know in the last day or two of the window, but at the moment it's a no from Stoke,” said Clough. ------------------------ Nigel Clough aiming for a tight-knit slimmed-down squad by Monday night for last 21 games of Mansfield Town’s promotion chase chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 25th January 2022 By the end of Monday's transfer deadline Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough wants to secure a tight-knit squad of players to see out the season as they chase promotion. Clough has already sent 12 of his 15 younger fringe players out on loan and would like to get the other three out too. He has only signed two players in the window and only expects one more as cover. “We don't want people sitting in the stand. That's why we are trying to get the 15 out - 12 have gone already,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-aiming-for-a-tight-knit-slimmed-down-squad-by-monday-night-for-last-21-games-of-mansfield-towns-promotion-chase-3542386 “With 21 games to go it enables us to get a nice tight squad of 17/18 outfield plus the three goalkeepers for the rest of the season. “It's not a reflection of the players that have gone out on loan, it's a reflection on the improvement of the squad. “This time last year they were in and around it and maybe playing in the second half of the season, but we now have better players in here and it's harder to break into the team when they're playing so well.” Keaton Ward and Tyrese Sinclair are the latest pair to go out on loan with Ward heading to Telford United and Sinclair to League Two rivals Scunthorpe United. “Keaton needs to go out and play so it's a good move for him,” said Clough. “He played on Saturday in a 5-0 victory so it was a great start for him. He will enjoy some good, competitive football there. “He had one or two different offers, but we know Paul Carden the manager, we had him at Burton for a time, and Carl Baker his assistant and it is a very good set-up at Telford. “Although they are struggling in the league, it will be a great experience for him. “Tyrese needed to go out and play. He has not quite hit the heights that he did at the end of last season. “He's probably not had as many opportunities, but that means the forwards we have brought in have done so well. And now we've brought Lucas Akins in too it gives us the chance to get him out and play some games. “James Gale will also go out on loan - a similar situation to Tyrese now we have strikers in. But he's just twisted his ankle a little bit and will be another week or so.” Clough has already said loanee Richard Nartey will return to Burnley if surplus to requirements after the weekend and that it was unlikely fellow centre half loanee Will Forrester would extend his loan from Stoke. Full back Corey O'Keeffe will also not be part of the squad and Clough expects him to join Rochdale, where he has had a successful loan, or elsewhere. “I think that's getting closer with Corey - that's not too far away,” said Clough. With youngster George Shelvey recalled by Nottingham Forest, veteran Marek Stech has stepped back up to be No.2 keeper with youngster Owen Mason out on loan at Guiseley but on recall if needed. “Marek has been working well with Nathan Bishop and Seamus (McDonagh) the goalkeeping coach and he is our number two if we need him to step in there,” said Clough. “Marek has been good around the place and no problem and he is as vocal and as pleased as anybody if we get three points on a Saturday. “We place a lot of emphasis on the characters within the dressing room. “We believe if you get 75-80 per cent of the same sort of characters they will carry the others along with them and see you through the bad times as well as being there to enjoy the good times.” --------------------- Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags, 25 Jan 2022: On Will Forrester: "Well you never know in the last day or two of the window. But at the moment it's a 'no' from Stoke. But a lot can happen in the next few days." On Kellan Gordon: "Kellan is still out. No timeframe on him returning at the moment." On sendings-off: "Our analyst Matty Ash told me on the bus after the game on Saturday that we've had six red cards this season whoch I couldn't quite believe. Forgotten about Faz being sent off in the first game against Barrow, and Tyrese at Orient. We've done alright with 10 men generally though we don't want to do it too often!" On Kieran Wallace rumour: "Yes it is true. We have worked with Kieran before. He didn't fail the medical, he had a slightly sore knee so it's something we will look at again towards the end of the week. His knee was a bit puffy but it's all settled down now, so we will try to revisit that one.” On Brad Young rumour: Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags: "That's news to me!" rumour from twitter Pete O'Rourke @SportsPeteO, 25Jan2022 Aston Villa striker Brad Young is a loan target for a number of EFL clubs, including Swindon Town, Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Port Vale. ---------------------- Can Mansfield Town beat Leyton Orient to enter the record books? chad.co.uk, By John Lomas Nigel Clough is hoping Mansfield Town can see off visiting Leyton Orient at the One Call Stadium this Saturday to set a new club record of eight successive Football League victories. Saturday's win at Barrow made it seven in a row - equalling the total set in 1962 and matched in 1991. “It's a great incentive on top of what's already there - just getting the three points and trying to improve our league position,” he said. “You know you're having a good run when you see the years the team has been in the Football League and you're equalling a record. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/can-mansfield-town-beat-leyton-orient-to-enter-the-record-books-3543771 “It shows we are doing something right at the moment. It would be lovely to break it, but it's not the be-all and end-all. “I think supporters are enjoying the way we're playing at the moment with all the victories - enjoy it while it lasts. “We wanted to equal the record last Saturday and after 39 minutes when we go down to 10 men, you're thinking what a shame if we don't manage the victory. “To get that victory in the circumstances that we did, playing for an hour with 10 men, made it extra special.” He added: “The most remarkable thing in the last 15 games has been winning 13 of them and no draws - that's quite staggering. “To go on and win it in the circumstances on Saturday was as good as anything we've had in that run. That third goal demoralised the opposition and I thought we saw it out very well indeed.” If successful on Saturday, Stags can next set their sights on the club's overall best winning sequence which was 12 games in 1924/25 when they won the Midland Counties League and then matched by Paul Cox's men in 2012/13 on the way to the Blue Square Bet Premier League title. However, Clough is aware it won't be easy against an Orient side who have only lost once on the road all season. “It will be a tough one. We had an unbelievably tough game down there,” he said. “They were absolutely flying at the start of the season and right up there, though they have just levelled off a bit now. “But Kenny Jackett's teams are very difficult to beat. They are very hard to break down. “They will be solid and resolute and we might have to be patient as we were against Walsall. “They have a good home record and had a lot of draws on the road and not many defeats. That first goal will be vital on Saturday. “We battled away for a good clean sheet down there (0-0), having had Tyrese (Sinclair) sent off near the end.” Stags have doubts over three injured players but are hopeful all three will come through. “Rhys Oates and George Maris haven't trained this week from knocks at Barrow last weekend, but we are hoping Ollie Clarke is on his way back and will train later this week,” said Clough. Farrend Rawson begins a two game ban after last weekend’s red card at Barrow. ----------------------- Early return of James Perch is great news says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 25th January 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough said the early return to action of James Perch was fantastic news and would not rule out having him on the bench for Saturday's visit of Leyton Orient. Perch was ruled out for the season after fracturing his skull in a freak training accident in September but will now play a tentative 45 minutes with the U23s in the Premier League Cup clash with Wigan Athletic at Alfreton Town on Wednesday night. Clough admitted the club had know Perch had been given the okay to return a few weeks ago but kept it quiet. “It is such a bonus. We've been excited about it for a few weeks but didn't want to say anything and jinx it or pre-empt anything,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/early-return-of-james-perch-is-great-news-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-3541306 “It has been a major boost for everybody around the place. “It is one of the best pieces of news we've had for some time. It was unexpected as we were thinking he was going to be out for the season. “But he saw the specialist a few weeks ago, got the provisional okay to start training with protection - he has got a guard on. And he will play 45 minutes at Alfreton if all goes well. “He has been at varying stages of training for a few weeks but we didn't want to say anything too early. We wanted to make sure everything was okay. “He has been through various stages of contact and he is now back in full contact training. “Hopefully he won't be too long. It just depends how he gets on and how he goes with the headguard.” He added: “We are not going to get carried away. But having him back on the training pitch and having him back involved is like having a new player. “It's absolutely brilliant news for him and for us. “Perchy is 36 now but unbelievably fit and, as we saw at the start of the season, he's still got something to offer. “It will take him a bit of time to get back in the swing of things, but it's helped he has been able to join in training in varying capacities in the last few weeks. He has competed as well as anyone in training this morning. “We are just looking forward to getting him back on the pitch.” The vastly experienced Perch has remained a part of things around the dressing room and Clough said: “His experience and just being around the place has been important. “You want people like that to stay around. We've left it very much up to him to come in and do as much or as little as he wants to do.” The next step will be decided after Perch's first game back on Wednesday. “We will assess him after Wednesday night when he's done 45 minutes - he might even do 60,” said Clough. “He has been able to do quite a bit of physical work so he shouldn't need too long. It's how comfortable he feels with the headguard in his own mind. We will leave it up to him to a large degree. “We still have to be a bit careful - he can't go at it 100 per cent. We are being slightly cautious with it but hopefully everything will go well.” Even if Perch does well at Alfreton, the best he can hope for is a place on the bench on Saturday. “Even though Faz Rawson is suspended we still have options back there with Oli Hawkins and Elliott Hewitt - and Lucas Akins can play full back. “I wouldn't think he will be starting a game any time soon but there is a chance of him being in the squad.” Clough said Perch had overcome some very difficult days over the time he has been injured. “He has been a bit down at times personally. He is not a 23 or 24-year-old any more,” said Clough. “So when you come towards the end of your career and you miss a long chunk of a season - and you think it's going to be longer - it does get you down. “It has been demoralising for him at times and he's done well to keep his chin up. When you are watching the team doing well everyone wants to be a part of it, though when we had the bad run I think he was quite pleased he was out injured. “He had tentatively made the decision he was going to give it a go next season, then he went to the specialist and got the okay a few months early, so he is very excited about the opportunity.” --------------------- James Perch: Mansfield Town defender cleared to return after fractured skull https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60138536 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough says James Perch being cleared to resume full training after a fractured skull has given the club a "major boost". Perch, 36, was injured during training in August and was expected to miss the rest of the season. However, he has recovered quicker than expected and was due to make his return for the Stags' under-23s on Wednesday, but the game has been postponed. "To have him back is wonderful news," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham. "We've been excited about it for a few weeks, but didn't want to say anything, we didn't want to jinx it or pre-empt anything. "Although he's getting on a little bit he's unbelievably fit and, as we saw at the start of the season, he's still got something to offer." A consultant recently told Perch the fracture had healed well enough for him to play again, wearing protective headgear. "He's still going to have to do quite a bit of physical work but shouldn't need too long. It's how comfortable he'll be with the headguard and that sort of thing in his own mind, so we'll leave it up to him to a degree," said Clough. "He's gradually joined in where he can head it again and he's competed as well as anybody in training. We're being slightly cautious with him but we're hoping everything will go well." League Two Mansfield can set a new club record of eight successive league wins if they beat Leyton Orient on Saturday, following a 15-match run without a victory at the start of the season. "I think when we were having that bad run he was quite pleased he was out injured, but now the team's doing well everybody wants to be a part of it obviously," Clough joked. ----------------------- This is the ‘best place for me’ - O’Toole mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 25th January 2022 Mansfield Town defender John-Joe O’Toole says that boss Nigel Clough and the club's 'setup' were key factors in extending his contract last week. Since the 33-year-old’s arrival, Mansfield have catapulted into the play-off places, after sitting as low as 23rd in the league earlier in the season. Speaking to the media, O’Toole expressed his reasons for staying with the Stags and signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/january/this-is-the-best-place-for-me--otoole/ “The manager and the way things are going here [confirmed my decision to stay], the set up we’ve got here [is excellent],” he said. “Everything about the club has been really good. “All in all, this was the best place for me." Since the former Burton man’s arrival, Mansfield have gone on a run of 13 victories from 15 matches, a key factor in the defender extending his previous short-term deal. “I was desperate to get in anywhere when I first signed,” he said. “Coming here and getting the opportunity to play [has been great] and it seems to have really clicked. “We’ve really gone up the league [since O’Toole’s arrival] and we’ve got a real chance now of really making something of this season. “I enjoy coming in every day. I obviously know the manager from my time at Burton and Garns [Andy Garner] and Cros [Gary Crosby], they’re brilliant to work with. “It’s great. We’re doing well, and we’ve just got to make sure we carry it [the excellent run of form] on now. “As good as it is winning seven [league games] on the bounce, it’s not going to count for much if we just go backwards. “We’ve got to keep the performances going and make sure we’re up there [in the top seven] come the end of the season.” The Stags’ number 35 has formed an excellent relationship with the fans during his time at One Call Stadium. “There seems to be a buzz about the place,” said O’Toole. “When the fans are right behind you [it helps the players]. “They [the Mansfield supporters] have been brilliant, certainly since I’ve been here. “They’ve been right behind the team, and it shows. “When they’re right behind you it just helps, especially when you’re going to places like Barrow and they’re cheering every kick.” Saturday’s heroic, ten-man victory away at Barrow equalled a club record of seven league victories, aiding the Stags’ push for promotion. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” O’Toole said. “We’ve got to keep our feet firmly on the ground but it’s clear from the second I walked in that there’s everything here [to succeed]. “There’s a great changing room, you need hard-work [to get promoted], you need people to finish [off chances]. “You need a bit of everything and I think that’s in that dressing room. “We’ve got a great manager and coaching staff. “Out of everyone we’ve played this year, there’s been no one that has blown me away or had me thinking; ‘they’re probably the best team in this league’.” “I haven’t really seen that [from another side] and I think that’s down to us more than them.” Watch JJ’s interview in full now by clicking here. ---------------------- Tough time out of work for John-Joe O’Toole before Mansfield Town rescued new Stags star’s career chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 25th January 2022 John-Joe O'Toole said it had been a tough few months out of work until Mansfield Town gave him a chance and he was delighted to finally sign a long term contract last week. O'Toole had been released by Burton Albion, where he previously worked with Stags boss Nigel Clough, and was unable to find a club until Stags took him in as a free agent in late October when the 33-year-old admits he was wondering if his career was over. “I had been trialling a few places and when it doesn't work out you start to think you may have to do something else,” he said. “You can't trial places from pillar to post and get turned away from places forever. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/tough-time-out-of-work-for-john-joe-otoole-before-mansfield-town-rescued-new-stags-stars-career-3542936 He added: “You speak to your agent and you have to pester people just to get your foot in the door and I didn't ever think it would be that hard to get a few training sessions here and there. “I wasn't good enough last season which was probably a big factor in that, but I knew I still had so much to offer. You reassess and re-evaluate what's right. “That's what kept me going - when you keep getting refused at places and training by yourself in an open park with a few cones and a half-inflated football. “It does give you a bit of a kick up the backside and all I kept getting told was I was over 30 and people were writing you off.” He added: “It was quite a tough few months after being released from Burton and everything up in the air. You do start to question how long you will be doing this for. “I finally got a chance here, everyone has been brilliant and welcoming and I think I have contributed quite well. “It's all been worth it. I knew I had more to give and I feel pretty good for 33 - better than I thought I would at this age. I've got a good few years left in me and it's going well.” His fine form at Mansfield attracted attention from elsewhere, including a better financial offer from a League One side, but O'Toole eventually signed a two and a half year deal with Stags. “With the manager and the way things are going here, all in all it was the best place for me,” he smiled. “The set-up, everything about the club has been really good. “I had to seriously consider the other offer I had, but in the end it was too good here to move on. I am delighted it's all done. I enjoy coming in every day. “I'd like to thank everyone here for getting the deal done as it had been hanging over us a little bit as I was only a short term deal and you're uncertain how long you're going to be there. Plus there was that interest from elsewhere. “So I am delighted it's all done now and I can concentrate on doing my best for the football club.” O'Toole might have moved to the other club for more money at 33, but said: “I signed here for footballing reasons and a few personal issues which cemented it as well. “I knew what I was getting here whereas if you move somewhere else you are moving your family. “Where I live at the minute I can travel in here which really helps. “You have to weight up everything which is not easy with so many variables. But I think I have made the right decision and things are going well.” --------------------- John-Joe O’Toole loving Mansfield Town’s fans seven years after almost coming to blows with a few chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 25th January 2022 John-Joe O'Toole is convinced Mansfield Town can achieve success this season - and admitted his relationship with the Stags fan had come a long way since being sent off for Northampton at the One Call Stadium back in 2015. The 33-year-old has signed a two and a half year deal with Stags and, having tasted promotion at Northampton, believes something is definitely in the air in Mansfield - and he said the fans were helping that drive that success. “There is definitely a real buzz about the place and the fans are right behind the team. They make you almost give a little bit more,” he said. “I know it shouldn't work like that, but when they are right behind you it just helps you - especially when you go to places like Barrow and they cheer every kick. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/john-joe-otoole-loving-mansfield-towns-fans-seven-years-after-almost-coming-to-blows-with-a-few-3543721 “They've been brilliant since I've been here. “I can remember 'John-Joe O'Toole Day' when I nearly got into a fight with a few of them in the car park. “I was having a bad day in the office to say the least and I wanted to rip a couple of their heads off! “We've come a long way since then and now I am high-fiving them and fist-bumping them. “You just want this to last forever - you don't get these seasons very often. I have had very few of them. “So when you get them you want to enjoy it and you're all in it together as a club. You have to make sure you enjoy the good times.” O'Toole has belief in the ability of his new dressing room as they aim for a club record eighth straight EFL win against visiting Leyton Orient on Saturday. “I was desperate to get in anywhere when I first signed. But coming here and getting the opportunity to play, it's really clicked,” he said. “We've gone up the league and we now have a real chance of making something of this season. “But we've just got to keep the performances going because, as good as it is winning seven on the bounce, it won't count for much if we go backwards. “You mustn't start getting carried away and thinking you're bigger than you are. “We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and need to keep our feet firmly on the ground, but it's been clear from the second I walked in they've got everything here. “It's a great changing room - we have a bit of everything in there. You can see the potential. We also have a great manager and coaching staff so I don't see why we can't go the full way. “No one we've played this season has really blown me away, which is probably down to us more than them. “We need to stay focused and keep churning out the performances.” O'Toole said it gets harder to stay up there as the season progresses. “It takes a lot of hard work and I think there's a level of expectation now,” he said. “ Standards are set pretty high which makes it even harder. “The more the season goes on it will get harder and harder - especially when you're up there. Sometimes it's easy getting there and the hardest thing is staying there. “But I think we've hit form at the right time and no one is going to be wanting to play us. “I have had seasons at clubs where we've had a lot of good players but it doesn't work out. Confidence is a massive thing. “Players were a bit low on confidence when I came here but once you get a couple of wins under your belt, things look up and it picks the place up.” Known more for his quality as a midfielder, O'Toole has impressed as a centre half since joining Mansfield. “I have more experience at centre midfield but this is now my third season playing centre half. So I feel like I have learned a lot - a lot of good and a lot of bad,” he said. “I have probably learned a bit more from the worst of times. “Last year at Burton I wasn't good enough which was a hard time for me personally and didn't play after January. “Midfield is my bread and butter where I've played the majority of my games and I do like playing in there. If there is ever an opportunity to play there I might prefer it. “But I will play wherever the team needs me and at the minute centre half is going down pretty well. So I'm happy to play there.” O'Toole was also delighted to see ex-Burton team mate Lucas Akins sign for Stags too and believes he will be a key figure in how the season ends. “He is brilliant. He is just a handful and will get you goals,” said O'Toole. “Lucas can work tirelessly for the team and can get hold of it and bring people into play. “He can play anywhere and he is strong, fit and fast. He will be brilliant for us and he is a great lad to have in the dressing room. “Lucas is a really good addition. He has so many games under his belt including a lot in League One and the Championship. “So he has a lot of experience. He has promotions under his belt. It was a really good bit of business for Mansfield.” ---------------------- |
Latest | January 2022