New striker Nicky Ajose says that joining the Stags was a ‘no-brainer,’ as he looks forward to being part of the ‘brilliant football’ that Mansfield play.
The 27-year-old signed for the amber and blue on loan earlier today, in a move that sees him join David Flitcroft’s side from Charlton Athletic until the end of the season.
Ajose has his sights set on success with the Stags, and says he wants to be ‘remembered’ by the impact he has on the club.
“It [move to the Stags] is about me showing people what I can do,” he said. “The way Mansfield are playing, with two games in hand, it’s 20 games to get promoted.
“These are the kind of things that, as you get older, you realise don’t come around every season. I was lucky enough to get promoted in my first professional season, and at the time you think it comes around every season.
“I want to try and win something meaningful and be remembered somewhere, so it [move to Mansfield] was a no-brainer for me.
“The lads have done brilliantly to put us in the position where we are [in the table] and the manager has brought me and Granty [Jorge Grant] in to try and help get us over the line. If I can do so, which I’m sure I can, that would be brilliant.
“When you come to a new club it’s never easy, but I’ve played against Mansfield twice [this season], so I almost feel as if I know them already. There are some really talented players.
“The difference between the two leagues [League One and League Two] is not so much. Especially [in] the first game [against Mansfield in the Emirates FA Cup earlier this season], that’s a top ten League One team.
“There’s more than enough quality here to be in League One. If this team was in League One this year, they’d be very comfortable.
"I want to try and win something meaningful and be remembered somewhere, so it [move to Mansfield] was a no-brainer for me."
“When this opportunity was given to me to join a team which is pushing, that really was key for me. I don’t want to be playing [for a team] that’s direct. I’ve watched a few games here and the football has been brilliant at times, and I thought it would really suit me.”
Ajose spoke of his play-style on the pitch, adding that there is more to his game than just finding the back of the net.
“I’m a goalscorer and I want to score goals,” he explained. “I want to assist my team-mates and work hard. You can’t always be the one to score, but if I’m not scoring, I want to be affecting the game somehow.
“When the team’s scoring, I want to either be the one scoring or creating chances. I feel that when I get the service, I know I’ll score goals.
“I know how to win and what it takes, so I’m just going to try and bring that to the team.
“I feel like I was the third choice striker at Charlton, so I was just an injury away from getting in [to the first team].
“I feel like I’m better than that. I didn’t want to wait for someone else’s downfall, because I’m not that kind of person. I wanted to try and do it on my own.
“We have CJ [Hamilton], Tyler [Walker], Rosey [Danny Rose]. All the boys are doing well. I’ve just come here to try and help that.
“When new players come in, it raises the levels in training for the boys that are already here. Obviously for me and Granty, we’re going to try and push to get game time. That’s only going to be better for the manager.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Nicky Ajose’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.
