'Wow': Andy Garner makes Mansfield Town team selection admission after 'fantastic transfer business'

Stags made it their mission to strengthen their attack and sign an exciting new midfielder this summer, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

After snapping up David McGoldrick and Michael Smith, Mansfield finally confirmed the arrival of Liam Thompson, who they had been pursuing for a good while before pen was put to paper.

Owen Dodgson has since arrived to replace recently departed Will Evans and of course, Jon Russell signed a permanent deal back in May following his initial loan spell.

Garner is delighted with the new personnel Stags have brought in this window but admitted the business comes with an ‘incredibly difficult’ decision when selecting match-day teams.

“It’s been fantastic business over the summer. Obviously McGoldrick was the long one – it could’ve gone either way, I think the majority of clubs would’ve signed him but thankfully he’s joined us.

“The thing with bringing these players in is, they’re good players and we’ve also got a good squad. So when they’re all fit, wow. It’s not easy in that office picking the team, it’s incredibly difficult.”

Garner had a lot of praise for Thompson, who put in a statement performance against Doncaster Rovers last weekend. The midfielder, who has signed on a two-year deal from Derby County, was named Man of the Match after impressing with both his creative and defensive skills.

“I thought he was absolutely outstanding,” Garner said of the 24-year-old. “He brings energy – I’m not saying we didn’t have it last term but from Saturday’s point of view he’s just on a different level. He covered every blade of grass, he’s an aggressive little player and he certainly made an impact on the game.

“It took seven or eight weeks to get him, on and off. But I’ll tell you, I’m glad we have got him, that’s for sure. If he can continue like that, he might well be a very important player for us.”