Stags’ style suits my game, says loanee Oliver

The 23-year-old Crewe striker looks set to make his home debut against Southend tomorrow after setting up Stags’ equaliser in his first game at York last weekend, having only come into the club 24 hours earlier.

Oliver had to come off near the end, but is confident this move will suit him and that Stags fans will see the best of him once he is match fit.

“I had a bit of cramp and had to come off last weekend,” he said. “I have missed out on games for the last couple of weeks, so my match fitness is a bit low at the minute. But I will get that back in no time.”

Oliver was upset to lose his place at League One Crewe without any real explanation for the change.

He said: “It was down to tactics. I was playing regularly. But, with not playing, I needed to get out on loan and get real playing time.

“Last season was my first at Crewe, but I was a bit injury-hit and didn’t play as much I would have liked to.

“I was looking forward to this season and started all right. I was performing well. So it was hard to be left out and not be told why.

“It’s hard for a player to keep his confidence and keep momentum going playing-wise.”

Once he knew there was a chance of a loan move to Mansfield, Oliver was in no doubt it was the right move for him.

“Mansfield play my kind of football – a bit more direct – which suits my game,” he said.

“I played against Mansfield for Lincoln home and away so I knew they would be a big, strong team and direct.

“I like balls in the air or to my chest so people can run off me. That is why I think I will do well here.

“Stoke proved it can be effective even in the Premier League. It may not be pretty to watch. You are not playing like Barcelona. But sometimes it is necessary to get points.”

Recalling his career so far, he explained: “I am a Sheffield lad and I was at Wednesday from age nine through to being a pro. But I was hit by injury. It was a bit unfortunate, but that’s football.

“I got fit and had a good season at Lincoln. I enjoyed my time in the Conference and I have a lot of fond memories and good friends there.

“It has been bitter-sweet moving to Crewe. It was a good move with their history of bringing on young players to bigger and better things. Unfortunately I wasn’t getting enough game time.”

Manager Paul Cox was very complimentary about Oliver’s debut last weekend and the striker admitted the loan could go past the first month if it all works out, though he knows Stags have strikers due back from injury.

“We will have to see how it goes,” he said. “It is initially a month and we will go from there. If everything goes well, who knows, I could be staying here a bit longer.

“I am never one to shrug away from any kind of competition and we will have to see what happens when everyone is back.

“We will have to see if Paul Cox still wants me here, if I want to be here and if Crewe want me back.

“I created a goal last weekend and I feel I can create more and score some.

“I have only played in one game but I though we showed good signs.

“The other two lads up front (Daniel Carr and Rakish Bingham) both showed that versatility to be to play up front or wide last weekend. The young boys showed good things.

“Attacking-wise we looked really strong and defensively we also looked strong and didn’t look like conceding. So I think three points could be on the cards on Saturday. It will be good to play at our home ground.”