Nigel Gets His Mansfield Man & Trials The 'Firestarter'!
Wednesday, 16th Nov 2011 13:16 by Daniel J Sewart & Paul Mortimer

Derby County has confirmed reports that they have signed Mansfield Town defender Tom Naylor on loan until January after which the deal will become permanent.

The player, who can play at right-back or centre-half was attracting interest from not just Derby as they headed off apparent interest from Burnley, Bournemouth, QPR, Leeds and Fulham for the Sutton-in-Ashfield-born 20-year old, who has been with the Stags since signing professional forms two-and-a-half years ago.

Mansfield, mid-table in the Blue Square Premier table, has a reasonable defensive record and it will be hoped that Tom can progress further under Clough’s guidance.

Tom broke into the Stags’ first team last season with 16 appearances and is a promising prospect.

Derby used Naylor recently in the Rams reserves during a week’s trial - and obviously saw enough for Tom to tempt the other Tom (Glick) into easing the cheque book from his multiple-locked boardroom drawer.

We’d expect the main objective that Clough will have in mind for Tom is to understudy right-back John Brayford, who has been missed whilst injured with a succession of other defenders and midfielders filling in with mixed success during Brayford’s absence.

With a list of centre-halves injured, Brayford in rehab training and the team’s defensive record slipping back into the negative, Clough has managed to obtain a reinforcement to increase his cover and options.

Derby fans will sigh a little with relief that the newcomer may provide respite to the defensive disruption - and will hope that Tom stays injury-free at Derby!

Tom’s target must be to emulate PoTY John Brayford, or force his way into the central defensive partnership and fans will be pleased to see him achieve those aims.

He will strut his stuff tonight for the reserves when he lines up for his first official game as a Rams player alongside both Shaun Barker and Paul Green.

Nigel Clough thinks Tom is a player who can grow along with his Rams team:

"Tom is a young player who we feel could develop and improve into a Championship player. He is one for the future with a lot of potential and we hope he can fulfil it in a Derby County shirt.”

"Tom has been on trial at a couple of clubs and has been linked with various moves, so I am sure he is looking forward to settling down here and proving his worth."

Speaking to the DET – Naylor was looking forward to the challenge ahead:

"This is a big opportunity for me. I'd like to thank everyone at Mansfield who has helped me progress through the ranks.”

"I will always be grateful and I will always look out for Mansfield's results in the future and hope the club can get the success it deserves."

Welcome to PPS, Tom!

‘The Firestarter’

Another player turning out for the reserves tonight is Edwin Gyasi who is currently on trial with the Rams currently.

Gyasi is an attacking left winger / forward who has caught the eye of Rams scouts with his skill on the ball and attacking intent.

A YouTube video describing him as ‘The Firestarter’ is very entertaining and despite some pretty poor defending from the opposition - definitely shows the boy could have something to offer.

A couple of rolls of the ball with an outstretched leg are a little reminiscent of a certain Paulo Wanchope. Even if he has a little Paulo in him – that would be more than enough.

Check out the video by following the link below - it is an entertaining watch and obviously prepared by the players agent to shop around the boy and the potential pyromania he could potentially unleash for a club.