Nottingham Forest duo Will Swan and Riley Harbottle have made a positive early impression on loan at Mansfield Town.
The pair are spending the season at the One Call Stadium, and have got valuable game time under their belts so far. Striker Swan has made 11 appearances and scored three goals, while defender Harbottle has featured 12 times and scored twice.
Stags boss, and Reds legend, Nigel Clough has been pleased with how the pair have adapted to League Two football. And he has praised his former club for taking the decision to let them go out on loan.
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“We’ve been very pleased with them. We’ve been surprised at how much they have actually played - a little bit more than we anticipated,” Clough told Forest’s official website.
“When you take in young players - I think it’s Riley’s first loan (in the Football League) and Will’s second - you’re never quite sure how they are going to adapt to the level. But from the first few days they joined us, they’ve been brilliant in every aspect.
“They’ve played games. Riley has played more. Will has had a couple of injuries and an illness recently, which has restricted his appearances. But we’re absolutely delighted with both of them.
“I think they’ve fitted in. That’s the biggest thing you worry about when you take lads from a Premier League club, coming down to League Two; you do worry about how they will fit in, because everything is not going to be up to the same standard. But in terms of that, they’ve been absolutely spot on.
“As young players, it’s unlikely they are going to play 40 or 50 games this season, because that’s too much of an ask for them. But anything around the 25, 30, 35 games mark is vital experience for them. I’d advise every young player, at any age, to get out and experience it.”
Both Swan, who had a loan spell at Port Vale in the 2020/21 campaign, and Harbottle are highly regarded at the City Ground. Clough says the pair will benefit from experiencing regular football at senior level.
“I think that’s one of the few failings of the academy system, that they don’t play out their own age group. Even up to Under-23s, they’re not really playing against hardened professionals,” he added.
“That’s why getting out on loan, with any experience they can get in the likes of League One or League Two, is so important for development. It’s great that Forest recognise that as well.
“Some clubs want to keep them in-house and say, ‘we’ll keep them playing Under-23s football’. Then they step up to the first-team and physically they’re not prepared for it; they’re not ready.
“I think it’s wonderful for them both. It’s great for us to have them, but it’s also wonderful for them to get that experience.”
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