Top scorer Tyler Walker says he feels as if he is continuously improving at Mansfield Town, citing the manager’s ‘belief’ and the attacking play-style of the Stags as the reasons for doing so.
It was confirmed after Tuesday night’s victory over Crawley that Walker, on loan from Nottingham Forest, will see out his season-long stay at One Call Stadium.
The striker says he is glad to complete the campaign with the Stags because of the rate he is currently developing at as a player.
“Obviously I came here on a season-long loan,” he said. “I wanted to stay here the whole time, I’m really enjoying myself and I want to help Mansfield Town get promoted.
“It’s a combination of things [reasons for wanting to stay] - the manager believing in me, the style of play; we play good attacking football, create a lot of chances and obviously it’s my job to put them away. Hopefully I can continue to do that.
“That’s what this season for me has been about, developing as a player and helping Mansfield Town. As every month goes by, I feel like I’m improving. [I’m] getting stronger, fitter and I’m really enjoying it.
“I feel I’m improving well - the team has obviously been getting better and better which helps. I’m really enjoying it and hopefully I can continue to get better and better from now until the end of the season.”
Walker netted his 17th goal of the season on Tuesday evening, a late winner against Crawley. The forward says the timing of the goal made it all the more special.
“It was a good win on Tuesday night. All the lads were buzzing in the dressing room afterwards. It was a big three points to put us back in the top three.
“Now today we’ve got to concentrate on the next game coming up, and another big three points.
“Getting the [winning] goal is a good thing for a striker, but when it comes in the 88th minute, it does make it a bit more special.
“It’s at the end of the game where everyone’s looking to get the three points. I’m just glad it came in the end to be fair.
"That’s what this season for me has been about, developing as a player and helping Mansfield Town. As every month goes by, I feel like I’m improving."
“[On] Tuesday I thought everyone played well, especially Granty [Jorge Grant]. Everyone could see what a good player he is and what influence he’s going to have from now until the end of the season.”
The Stags have added to their ranks this month by bringing in goalkeeper Jordan Smith, striker Nicky Ajose and attacking midfielder Jorge Grant - three players that Walker believes will make a big difference.
“[Grant will bring] goals and assists. Everyone knows from when he was at [Notts] County how many goals he scored and the assists he got.
“He’s a really good player and I enjoy playing with him. The link up we have is good - hopefully we can both get goals and assists for the team and propel us up the table.
“We’ve had it [connection] since we were young. We played in the under-21s together for two or three years and the connection we had was really good.
“I always used to play number nine, he used to play number ten and we linked up really well.
“I didn’t really have to say a lot [to Grant before he signed]. Obviously the gaffer was talking to him, I told him that I was enjoying it and that I thought that he would enjoy it as well.
“I didn’t say too much to him, I wanted him to make his own decision really [because] obviously it’s his career.
“He’s a massive signing for us I’m really glad he did come in the end, because he’s going to make a big difference.
“The three players [brought in during January], they’re great signings for us and anyone would be lucky to have them, so the fact that we’ve got in them in our dressing room is only going to benefit us.
“Tuesday night shows you, he [Jordan Smith] has made two saves that are match-winning saves really. If we don’t have a clean sheet, we don’t win the game as obviously we only scored one goal.
“He’s a top-quality keeper who me and Granty have played with in the past, and like I say we’re lucky to have him.
“It’s like we’re back in the under-23s, but we’re grown up now and we’ve got a job to do at Mansfield Town. We want to get better, keep improving until the end of the season and hopefully get promotion.”
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