by Martin Shaw » Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:59 pm
in the absence of any other outlet writing up the interview, I've written it up for the Stagsnet news archive:
Friday 11 June 2021
Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags on Danny Johnson:
"Danny Johnson has been on our radar quite some time. We knew he was out of contract.
"We've been looking around at goalscorers at this level and I think he's as good as we can get who's out of contract.
"Very very pleased to have secured him.
"When you look at his clips, a wide variety of goals he scores and he is just that, a goalscorer.
"The way that we play, we'll create him some chances and I think that's what's persuaded him to join us.
"We're still in the market for another one (striker) as well but we needed somebody of this type.
"It's a mentality thing as well. Somebody like him goes on the pitch thinking he's going to score a goal. Our strikers work their socks off, Jordan and Reidy, but I don't think they go on the pitch with that intention all the time.
"We needed someone with that streak of selfishness who thinks I'm going to score a goal when I go on the pitch today.
"We scored a fair few goals, we just didn't score enough proportionally of the chances we created.
"In the last five games we had something like 100 shots, and even in the last two, 48.
"I think he scored his 19 goals off something like 62 efforts which is a pretty good ratio."
Mark Stevenson:
"Elsewhere I understand yesterday we were expecting a second signing. However at the eleventh hour, the rug was pulled underneath your feet with regard to the signing of Tom Naylor, can you tell us more?"
Nigel Clough:
"Frustrating to say the least and disappointing.
"Tom (Naylor) actually came in for his medical and it was at the stage where everything was agreed.
"Unbeknown to Tom or anyone else his agent was still negotiating with another club behind everybody’s back, even when the deal had been was agreed.
"It’s about different standards of behaviour.
"When we thought Tom might be available, we knew he was out of contract and his personal circumstances gave us a chance.
"We thought with his agent being an ex-Stags player as well, so hopefully he’ll be keen on coming here.
"We were very surprised. One of the first conversations with (CEO) David (Sharpe) had with him (the agent), one of the first things he said was he didn’t want him coming here, which was surprising from the agent.
"Actually, that was the second thing he said, the first thing he asked how much he was getting out of the deal.
"It was very disappointing. It’s not that it happens, it’s how it happens and the behaviour.
"In sharp contrast, we dealt with Danny Johnson’s two agents. They were disappointed when we told them what happens because it reflects badly on them.
"The vast majority of agents we deal with are good and honourable.
"They have a principle that once you agree a deal there’s no going back.
"It reflects badly on the whole business.
"I feel sorry for Tom because he was happy, medical and all of a sudden behind his back he’s presented with a bigger financial offer at the last minute.
"He phoned and explained and was a little bit embarrassed about it.
"You can understand though, because he’s got a baby on the way and he’s nearly 30 years’ old and has to make these difficult decisions.
"But as far as we were concerned the deal was done.
"We had it in mind for him to vie for a place at centre half.
"He has played there quite a bit before and he did for us at Burton. We thought that would be his best position for the next few seasons.
"Yes (we're still in the hunt for another central defender).
"We have got Rawson, Hewitt and Perch, all who can play centre half.
"He was going to be a big signing for us and one we were excited about but we move on.
"It was a heavy deal for us in terms of he was going to be our highest paid player.
"We move on and we go for somebody else now.
"Stephen Quinn's on holiday this week. So hopefully that should be Monday/Tuesday.
"We've agreed for a young goalkeeper to come in on loan. And we're also very close to agreeing with a first choice on loan as well.
"And a young defender. So we'd hope to get those tied up next week.
"After that, maybe just one (more).
"But we do have two or three, Rollin, Corey O'Keeffe and Marek Stech, all who are looking for fresh clubs with a year left on their contracts.
"Until at least one of those goes, we'll probably stick with what we've got after these signings.
"Rollin is not effectively (transfer listed), but if there's people out there interested in him we'll listen to offers. He wants to play, we can't guarantee him that place.
"We've had calls from another League Two club about Corey, and a couple of bits of interest about Marek, nothing concrete."
"Four points clear as Lincoln are McCaffreyised", CHAD headline, April 1975