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Archived News from June 2023

CLOUGH ON PYM, PERCH ETC, AND TARGETS
15th June 2023 20:05


Mansfield Town closing in on last two transfer targets
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Mon 5 June 2023

Goalkeeper Christy Pym and an unnamed centre half remain Mansfield Town's two main summer transfer targets.

But boss Nigel Clough may add an extra defender if they fail to reach an agreement with veteran James Perch to stay on.

Clough has already landed defensive pair Calum Macdonald and Baily Cargill as well as making loanee striker Will Swan a permanent signing.

“I am pleased to get the players in that we have done - and the timing of it as well,” said Clough

read more at https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-closing-in-on-last-two-transfer-targets-4170288

“We know this squad does not need major surgery - it's not seven or eight players. That makes the three or four we do bring in even more important.

“It will depend on James Perch being around as cover. If so, I think one good defender would do it - Jordan Bowery's flexibility enables that. I don't think we could have the same injury crisis again.

“We do still have John-Joe O'Toole as well as cover too.”

He added: “I was very pleased to get Will Swan on a permanent, then add two defenders in Bailey Cargill and Calum Macdonald.

“They are all good ages and we needed those specific positions. It was nice to get two left footers in as well with Calum and Bailey.

“We are still a little short defender wise. So that is the next priority now - try to get another defender in. And a goalkeeper.

“We have identified somebody we are keen on and we are talking to them at the moment.

“He is mainly a centre half but I think could play full back as well.

“So we hope to try to do something. But there is a little bit of competition out there for him, which is understandable. We will keep working on that one.

“The market goes a bit quiet in June. If there is one month that tends to be down time for football it seems to be June now. And everyone tries to get away for a break.

“People either do their business in May or it starts to pick up again at the end of June and beginning of July as people start coming back for pre-season.”

Pym impressed on loan from Peterborough United last season and is unlikely to stay with Posh after a bust-up with manager Darren Ferguson.

“We are still in talks for Christy Pym and I think that's progressing. There have been one or two obstacles - one or two caused by him,” said Clough

“Hopefully that may get sorted. He is our number one choice.

“Having worked with him last season it is one less change. He's one the players know and everyone trusts.

“But we do have two or three other names on the list.

“There are one or two other younger ones on the list at the moment, but it won't be Nathan Bishop again. He will be playing in a higher division.

“Being so close last season, we have brought in two new players. But we don't really want a new goalkeeper. The fewer changes the better.

“We have Scott Flinders here too who is more than capable. And just below them is Owen Mason, who we have high hopes for. He need to probably go out and play a season on loan. That's the plan for him next season at the highest level he can and see how he develops.”

On other players whose futures are still in the air, Clough said: “I think George Cooper is getting close to agreeing which is good. He will be with us pre-season with a view to him going out on loan again.

“We are having a chat about different things with James Perch too.

“It's a bit different with Jason Law and Kieran Wallace as they really need to get out and play regular football. The ball is in their court.

“It is purely the best thing for them, Jason especially at his age.

“If they don't get sorted we've told them come back and we will see. I don't think it would do either of them any good being with us next season. We have left it open and not offered them anything. I think they are both good enough to get something somewhere.”

It also looks unlikely Forest loanee defender Riley Harbottle will be back.

Clough said: “I saw Riley last week but I don't think the plan has changed for him to go to the next level. If we'd been promoted it might have been a different story.

“I don't think we can wait either for them to say in July or August that he is available again to League Two. They are trying to get League One for him which, having played 30-odd games and scored six goals, is very understandable.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Toughest division for some years ahead - Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Mon 5 June 2023

Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough believes up to 16 of the 24 sides in League Two next season may be capable of a top seven finish in what he believes will be the toughest division it's been for some time.

“It is going to be a very tough league because of the teams who are still in it,” he said.

“Stockport were very unlucky not to go up. And Wrexham and Notts County will be possibly the two strongest Conference sides coming into the league for quite some years.

“And the sides coming down from League One know what it's all about.

read more at https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/toughest-division-for-some-years-ahead-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-4170290

“Accrington will be as difficult as anyone next season. Morecambe know what it's all about and Forest Green went up 12 months ago.

“It could be anything up to 15/16 teams that will fancy their chances of getting into the top seven.

“But I think we can compete if we stay fit. I think we've proved that over the last couple of seasons. The only time we haven't won games is when we've had seven or eight important players missing.”

He added: “To be within one goal of the top seven last season will stick with us for quite a while.

“It takes some time to lose that feeling, being so close. But we move on and will use it as fuel and an incentive for next season.”

Season tickets are flying out and Clough said: “We didn't think they would reach the heights of last year with the economic situation at the moment, but we might get close.

“To get over 3,500 at this point in the first week in June is absolutely brilliant.

“All we can say is we're going to keep playing as we have done the last couple of seasons, keep trying to score goals and concede a few less.

“I would like to be up there among the top goalscorers again. That is our aim with the attacking players that we've got.

“Our away record was good last season as I think we developed a bit more of an identity on the road, taking the game to teams home or away.”

Clough also believes the longer summer break will help his side come back fresher than last year after their Wembley heartbreak, saying: “Five week is more than enough. Already you can see the difference.

“A year ago we'd only been finished the season a week and already now we've got most of the players in that we want, pre-season in place and everybody looking forward to it.

“That is going to be the difference. Having come back after such a short break last year, having lost the play-off final, everybody was on a downer, which was absolutely inevitable. It takes some getting over that.

“I think this season there will be a completely different atmosphere when everyone comes back and can't wait to get started.

“Fixtures come out in two and a half weeks which starts the ball rolling.

“We will know where we're going and who we're playing.

“As management we do get a break but it's more a change of scenery than a break. That's the nicest thing. The phone is still going and emails still come. You still talk to players and so on. That continues 12 months a year.”

Stags' final pre-season friendly was confirmed on Monday with beaten League One play-off finalists Barnsley the visitors on Tuesday, 25th July (7pm).

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Mansfield Town Boss Nigel Clough expects 'different atmosphere' for pre-season
bbc.co.uk

Boss Nigel Clough said not having play-off disappointment to digest will help Mansfield Town's bid for League Two promotion next season.

The Stags fell just one goal short of finishing in the top seven for the second successive season under Clough.

He now expects a more buoyant squad to assemble for pre-season compared the one that started back 12 months earlier after losing the play-off final.

"I think it will be a completely different atmosphere," Clough said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65813784

"That will be the difference. Having come back with such a short break and having lost the play-off final last year, everyone was on a downer - it was absolutely inevitable. It takes some getting over."

Since Mansfield's campaign concluded at the end of the regular season, Clough has signed a contract extension and quickly moved to strengthen the squad.

Will Swan has made his move from Nottingham Forest permanent, after spending last term on loan with the Stags, while defenders Baily Cargill and Calum MacDonald have also been signed.

Veteran midfielder Stephen Quinn has also signed a new deal to remain at the One Call Stadium.

"Already you can see the difference," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"A year ago we would have only finished the season for a week, but already we have most of the players in that we want, pre-season is in place and everyone is really looking forward to it."

'15 or 16 going for top-seven finish'
Clough has previously spoken about expecting his side to challenge for promotion next season after coming "tantalisingly close" to reaching the play-offs but admits the competition will be fierce.

He sees Hollywood-funded National League champions Wrexham and Nottinghamshire rivals Notts County as significant additions to League Two, while sides relegated from League One come down with a proven pedigree for success.

"Wrexham and Notts County will possibly be two of the stronger Conference [National League] sides coming into the league for quite some years," Clough said.

"The ones coming down know what it's all about - Accrington will be as difficult as anybody, Morecambe know what it's all about and Forest Green romped it 12 months ago or so.

"There could be anything up to 15 or 16 teams that fancy their chances of getting into the top seven."

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Latest | June 2023