Archived News from June 2022
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CLOUGH ON SIGNINGS
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Boss confirms deals in principle for Premier League duo
mansfieldtown.net, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says the Stags have agreed deals in principle for two young players on loan from a Premier League club. The boss says that he would ‘ideally’ like to strengthen his squad further before they head to Scotland next Monday for a pre-season training camp. Speaking in a news conference at RH Academy today, Nigel revealed that the deals agreed in principle are for a defender and a forward. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/june/boss-confirms-deals-in-principle-for-premier-league-duo/ “We agreed in principle a couple of loans, young players, from a Premier League club,” he said. “We’re just waiting for that to be ratified. “Ideally, we’d like that [to get incoming players bedded into the squad as early as possible]. We’re already on a shortened pre-season [due to the extended 2021/22 season]. “To get them in as soon as possible [would be beneficial]. “If we get the couple of loans, then it’ll just be another one after that and a goalkeeper [left to bring in]. “Maybe one outfield and one goalkeeper after these two.” The manager also spoke on potentially re-signing some of the club’s first team regulars that were on loan last campaign. “We’d have loved to have got Nathan Bishop back but that’s probably unlikely,” said the boss. “I think Manchester United want him to go to the next league [above] which is understandable for his career progress, but it would’ve been lovely to keep Nathan. “To get another young goalkeeper, similar to Nathan, would be ideal. “We like Ryan [Stirk] an awful lot; he had a great season. “It was his first full season in league football, but we think he’s got an awful lot of potential. “Last time I had a conversation with Birmingham it was a fee involved and a larger one than we would be willing to pay for him. “He’s got a year left at Birmingham; we’ll monitor that situation.” The club has delved into the free transfers market this summer. Experienced goalkeeper Scott Flinders and versatile midfielder Hiram Boateng have signed following the expirations of their contracts at League One sides Cheltenham and MK Dons, respectively. “We needed to bring a couple of goalies in. Scott Flinders was always one that we’ve known about, he’s probably as fit as he ever has been, he must’ve played 20 odd games in League One last year,” Nigel said. “[On signing Hiram Boateng] He’s somebody who we’ve admired for a while. He’s been around and played at a good standard and he’s a good footballer. “[He’s a] Very articulate, very intelligent lad.” The club have sold a record number of season tickets (over 3,600) ahead of the new season and the manager was buoyed by the figure so far. “I think it [the record number of season ticket sales] can give you tremendous heart and optimism [heading into the new campaign]. “People appreciate [what we’ve done in the last two seasons] and want to be part of it. “I think the stat that we would’ve won the league if it started in October has given everybody a lot of heart that we’re very, very close [to getting a promotion winning team together].” --------------------------- Mansfield Town set to sign young Premier League duo on loan chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town are hoping to complete a deal to bring two young players in on loan from a Premier League club before the Stags head off to Scotland for a pre-season training camp next Monday. Manager Nigel Clough is also hoping he can land a second goalkeeper and a striker to round off his squad for the new campaign as well as the incoming young pair, one of whom is a defender and the other a forward. Clough has so far this summer brought in midfielder Hiram Boateng and experienced keeper Scott Flinders. “We have agreed in principal the loan of a couple of younger players from a Premier League club - a defender and a forward - and we are just waiting for that to be ratified,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-set-to-sign-young-premier-league-duo-on-loan-3746712 “Ideally we'd like them in for the Scotland trip. It helps to get to know everybody while you're away. That's one of the biggest aims of a pre-season trip - bonding or gelling players, whatever word you want to use. “We are already on a shortened pre-season with less than five weeks to the first game at Salford. So we would like to get them in as soon as possible.” He added: “If we get the couple of loans there may just be a couple of players after that - a goalkeeper and a striker. “I think we are strong in midfield, we are okay there. “We've got options up front already and one of the young loan players is a striker, but it would be nice to have another one as well. “It would be nice to have something a little bit in between - something a little bit different. That sort of player who can make things happen for us. “But, if not, we're very happy. I think we've got 18 outfield players at the moment when those players come in. “We'd be happy with that or with another one. I don't think that is a massive squad, having 19 outfield players for the 50-odd games.” Experienced pair James Perch and Jordan Bowery have already agreed new deals with talks continuing with fellow veteran Stephen Quinn about another season. ------------------ Keeper search goes on for Mansfield Town as Nathan Bishop door all but closes chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town continue their search for a new goalkeeper with the door all but closed on a loan return from Manchester United youngster Nathan Bishop. But boss Nigel Clough said he is more than happy to start the season with experienced new signing Scott Flinders and continue to search for competition for him. “We needed to bring a couple of goalies in and Scott Flinders is one we have always known about,” said Clough. “He is 35 now and probably as fit as he ever has been. He must have played 20-odd games in League One for Cheltenham last year. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/keeper-search-goes-on-for-mansfield-town-as-nathan-bishop-door-all-but-closes-3747628 “Also he is reasonably local, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for us. “It takes the pressure off us trying to get another goalkeeper as well as, if we start the season with Scott, we'd be quite happy with that. “We are still searching for another one as well.” On the attempts to bring the impressive Bishop back for another campaign, Clough said: “We'd have loved to have got Nathan Bishop, but that is probably unlikely now as I think Manchester United want him to go to the next league, which is understandable for his career progress. “It would have been lovely to keep Nathan because he I think he had a superb season for us. “I think the door is almost closed, though not from our point of view - or his point of view even. “His club really feel he needs to go to League One, though I don't think it is as important for goalkeepers. And I know there are one or two people we speak to think the same. “He played 50-odd games for us last season and I think playing 50-odd games at, hopefully, the top of League Two as opposed to maybe the bottom half of League One, I don't think there would be much difference. “So we are still on the lookout for another one, but it was important to get Scott in to challenge for that first team spot.” Clough said that could be a loan keeper or a permanent signing. “We are open to either one of those options,” he said. “I think to get another good young goalkeeper in like Nathan to work with Scott Flinders would be ideal. It would be a nice combination.” --------------------- Birmingham City price too high for Ryan Stirk as Mansfield Town bide their time over midfielder chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town would still like to sign young midfielder Ryan Stirk but boss Nigel Clough said Birmingham City had currently priced him beyond their valuation. The 21-year-old had an impressive campaign on loan at the One Call Stadium last season and Clough said Stags will keep an eye on him, but any move would be on Mansfield's terms. “We like Ryan an awful lot and he had a great season,” said Clough. “It was inevitable he was going to dip a little bit, which he did towards the end of the season, as it was his first full season in league football. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/birmingham-city-price-too-high-for-ryan-stirk-as-mansfield-town-bide-their-time-over-midfielder-3749822 “But we think he has an awful lot of potential. “Last time we had a conversation with Birmingham it was a fee involved and a larger one than we would be willing to pay for him. “He's got a year left at Birmingham we we will just monitor that situation and see how it goes. “If it happens it will happen on our terms.” -------------------- Mansfield Town facing tough pre-season training camp in Scotland next week chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town players will face a tough pre-season training camp in Scotland next week after reaching the League Two play-off final and earlier start to next season cut short their summer. Stags head for St Andrews on Monday for five days of work and bonding before returning home to play a first pre-season friendly at Retford United a week on Saturday. The return begins this week with some fitness tests on Friday, though levels are likely to be high with Mansfield enjoying an extended season that ended in that Wembley heartbreak. “We are all back in this Friday. I didn't see any merit in bringing the players back in any earlier with our season going to 28th May as it did,” said boss Nigel Clough. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-facing-tough-pre-season-training-camp-in-scotland-next-week-3749308 “Then the Scotland trip will be a tough few days. With it being a shorter pre-season it will be a little bit more intense. “If you have the full five or five and a half weeks you can spread it out a bit more. “They won't have lost that much fitness as it's only been four weeks since our last game, though people will be at different levels, especially people who didn't play much towards the end of the season. One or two of those are coming in a bit earlier this week.” He added: “There are no games or anything like that while we are up there- it's too early for that. We will just be doing the sort of work we would have been doing at the RH Academy. “There are a couple of nice parks up there and of course a lovely beach as well. It's a change of scenery for them and I am sure they will like running on sand. “We actually wanted to go the week after but they have the 150th Open on golf-wise and there is little accommodation to be had. “So we are happy going next week and then we come back and start in earnest with the game with Retford on the Saturday, Matlock, then step it up with Rotherham and hopefully the one in midweek, then Oldham away. “Hopefully they will keep everyone topped up and those five games should be a good balance and ideal.” Clough still hopes he can bring in his targeted new signings in time to take them to the training camp and earlier in the week he said: “Ideally we'd like them in for the Scotland trip. It helps to get to know everybody while you're away. “That's one of the biggest aims of a pre-season trip - bonding or gelling players, whatever word you want to use. “We are already on a shortened pre-season with less than five weeks to the first game at Salford. So we would like to get them in as soon as possible.” --------------------- Quality of Mansfield Town’s football will attract the better players believes boss Nigel Clough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Nigel Clough believes the quality of Mansfield Town's season last time around was a big factor in being able to fend off competition and land a player of the calibre of new midfielder Hiram Boateng. The 26-year-old former Crystal Palace youngster joined Stags this summer after three seasons for League One MK Dons and Clough said: “He is someone we have admired for a while. “He has been around and played a good standard and he is a good footballer. He is also a very articulate, intelligent lad and someone we feel is going to fit in. “Matty Longstaff obviously goes back to Newcastle after his loan so we needed another good player to bolster the midfield. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/quality-of-mansfield-towns-football-will-attract-the-better-players-believes-boss-nigel-clough-3751505 “We beat off quite a bit of competition and we are very, very excited about Hiram joining us.” Clough continued: “He can play anywhere in the midfield. He can play the more of a defensive role or anywhere across that midfield three or even a little bit further up at times. “He is just a good footballer who can adapt. “As to why he chose to come to us, people are aware of how well we've done in the last seven months - not just the results but how we've played. That's how you get to attract people like Hiram.” Clough confirmed Longstaff would not be returning after the end of his loan spell. “I think that one was a freakish one and a fluke to get someone like Matty,” he said. “I would expect him, if he doesn't stay in the Newcastle squad, to play Championship or the very top of League One.” Clough has just returned from holiday but said it was business as usual at times still. “It was nice to get away. I think everyone needed to have a little break but, as always, your phone is still on and there is business to do,” he said. He is now working on getting four players - two on loan from a Premier League club - in as quickly as possible with the squad returning for pre-season on Friday. ------------------------ First month’s fixtures look tough admits Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough admitted Stags would appear to face a tough opening month to the new campaign after studying the 2022/23 fixtures, which were released last week. Stags begin away at Salford City with the first home game being the visit of Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, 6th August. The month also sees visits by relegated AFC Wimbledon and wealthy promoted Stockport County as well as trips to Leyton Orient and Sutton United. “It is a tough start,” said Clough. “It does look a tough first month on paper, though you never know how it's going to work out.” https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/first-months-fixtures-look-tough-admits-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-3751491 “Usually when you are at home first game of the season you're away last day and vice-versa. “Last season we were at home first day and the last day. This season we are away first and last which is a little bit unusual. “They have a new manager at Salford, but we will be ready for it.” Clough knows there appears to be no likely whipping boys this time around. “I think the league will be stronger again this year,” he said. “Walsall have signed 11 players, Stevenage will sign in excess of that. I think there will be some teams who will fancy their chances this season. “I think it will be a tough old league and we have got a tough start so we have to be ready for it. “I thought we were ready for it last season. We have to be ready to start well and not have a sustained bad period during the season. That was the only thing that cost us automatic promotion.” Stags also face gruelling long midweek trips to Hartlepool, Newport and Carlisle. “I don't get it,” he said. “I have never understood why these trips are midweek. It is meant to be about supporters - especially at this level. “There is a lot of long journeys in League Two - and we are Midlands-based, but I think there should be a bit more empathy toward supporters.” Stags face a home local derby with League One Derby County in the Carabao Cup first round and ex-Rams boss Clough said: “It was a brilliant draw. “I thought the Papa Johns Trophy draw was good as well and once again we have Derby in that with Grimsby and Man City. “So again we will get the chance to see Man City and Derby come to the One Call and now Derby in the Caraboa Cup as well. “I think they will bring a good away following and it's good to have a local game and be at home as well - absolutely ideal.” -------------------- Injured Mansfield Town striker Jimmy Knowles is given time to win new Stags deal with six month contract extension chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Unlucky Mansfield Town striker Jimmy Knowles has been given a new six-month contract as he bids to recover from a serious knee injury. The 20-year-old Sutton-born forward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament 11 games into a loan spell with Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton when they were playing Kilmarnock back in November. But Mansfield manager Nigel Clough wants to give him the best chance possible of staking his claim for a longer stay with the Stags. “It was unfortunate he got injured up in Scotland,” said Clough. “We're always very keen on this, morally as much as anything. I never get how football clubs can release players when they've got injured, whether they are under contract to us or with another club on loan. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/injured-mansfield-town-striker-jimmy-knowles-is-given-time-to-win-new-stags-deal-with-six-month-contract-extension-3747106 “We will keep Jimmy, he will get fit, and hopefully September or October, something like that, we will have a look at him and see what he can do. The main thing is he has that time to get fit and is not feeling pressurised that he has to get back on the pitch for this date or whatever. “He has got six months now which should give him plenty of time.” Meanwhile, Clough said there had been some interest in transfer-listed striker Danny Johnson. He is only halfway through his two-year deal but played little last season and was told he could go this summer. “I think there has been one or two enquiries for him - nothing concrete enough at the moment,” said Clough. “But there is always interest in players like Danny as he is a good goalscorer. We will just wait and see what happens in the next few weeks.” --------------------------- Record Mansfield Town season ticket sales are an endorsement of Stags' sparkling football believes boss Nigel Clough chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Monday 27th June 2022 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes the club record sale of season tickets, that is already up to over 3,600, is an endorsement of the sparkling football his side have played that came so close to gaining them promotion. A fantastic second half of the season saw Stags only miss out by defeat in the League Two play-off final at Wembley and fans are now eagerly snapping up season tickets in the hope of seeing their heroes go one step further next season. “The season ticket sales gives us tremendous heart and optimism,” said Clough. “It is also an endorsement that people appreciate what we have been doing over the past 12-18 months, that they want to be a part of it, and that they want to see more of it next season. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/record-mansfield-town-season-ticket-sales-are-an-endorsement-of-stags-sparkling-football-believes-boss-nigel-clough-3747504 “From October time after the bad run, I think that seven months saw some brilliant games with brilliant football and I think the statistic that we would have won the league if it had started in October has given everybody a lot of heart that we were very close. “The disappointment of that day at Wembley will always be there and always stays with you. “But also you have to put it in perspective and say, yes, it was the most important game and one game. “But you look at everything that led up to that and I think it was very encouraging - so much of the play and the results and everything - and certainly the way the supporters reacted to it all and got behind us. “That doesn't change because of that one result. That was seven months we had. “The start of the season was very good and we finished the season before well too. So over the 18 months I think it's been very encouraging.” -------------------- |
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