Forward Davis Keillor-Dunn believes he can thrive in this team as the 25-year-old netted twice in an entertaining 2-2 opening day draw at Crewe today.
The ex-Burton Albion man hit the double twice within four first-half minutes to put Stags in pole position.
But Crewe pulled one back before the break and scored soon after Stags were reduced to ten men following Calum Macdonald’s 58th minute red card.
And Keillor-Dunn was impressed with Stags’ first display of the new campaign, as Nigel Clough’s men produced an eye-catching performance of positive football.
“That’s my job – to link the play, create and score goals,” he said after the match, speaking about his two goals.
“In this team I thrive. We have lads who just want to play football and get me into positions where I can get shots off and slide boys in. The gaffer has said to me ‘just make the box and things will drop’. Luckily today, it’s happened for me.”
Speaking further about his brace, Keillor-Dunn said: “You have to get your shots off nice and quick, make sure the ‘keeper is not sighted and not set. Luckily I found the bottom corner twice today but I’m just a little disappointed that I didn’t get the third. But it’s the three points that [would have been] more important, but that’ll come.
“The gaffer said to me that I had another shot that I have to get off quicker and he’s right. You have to give them a chance before they [the goalkeepers] get set in this league because they’re good goalkeepers. But two goals are good and hope I can kick on next week and go again.
“I should have had at least three today. Hitting the inside of the post was a bit of a ‘sickener’ but you can’t dwell on things like that. More chances will come, you’ve just got to be ready.”
He added: “I think we were a little bit unlucky to go down to ten men. The boys reacted brilliantly and Crewe didn’t really have any clear cut chances. We were the only team that were going to win that game. I have to mention the fans too. The fans were amazing.”
