Nigel Clough made one decision that transformed new Sheffield Wednesday signing | OneFootball

The Mansfield Town boss had some simple advice for Davis Keillor-Dunn that got him firing

Sheffield Wednesday’s late move for Davis Keillor-Dunn could prove to be one of the more intriguing deals of the League One transfer window.

The 28-year-old arrives from Wrexham on a season-long loan after finding opportunities limited at the Welsh club.

His record at this level, however, offers a much clearer indication of what the Owls are acquiring.

There is a particularly revealing precedent, too.

When Keillor-Dunn joined Mansfield Town in January 2023, Nigel Clough made a relatively simple decision that helped unlock the best version of the forward - and was not a radical innovation or an elaborate experiment.

Davis Keillor-Dunn flourished when Nigel Clough gave him freedom

Keillor-Dunn had already demonstrated his ability to score goals before arriving at Mansfield, notably during his time with Oldham Athletic.

His spell at Burton Albion, however, had been less productive, with the forward unable to establish himself as a consistent attacking threat.

But that changed under Clough.

Keillor-Dunn later explained that, when he joined Mansfield, the manager told him to “express” himself in his preferred position: attacking midfield, behind the strikers. It was a significant show of faith, and the results were striking.

In his first full season at Mansfield, Keillor-Dunn scored 22 league goals and provided 10 assists as the Stags secured promotion from League Two.

His performances earned him a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.

Clough had not discovered an entirely new player. He had found the circumstances in which an existing talent could flourish.

Sheffield Wednesday have another chance to unlock Keillor-Dunn

Action Images

The chance to unlock Keillor-Dunn again is what makes this move particularly interesting for Wednesday.

The forward has already shown that his strengths translate to League One. He scored 18 league goals for Barnsley in 2024/25 and had added 13 in 24 league appearances during the first half of the following campaign, before heading to Wrexham.

The issue at Wrexham has been different. Since rejoining the club, Keillor-Dunn has struggled to establish a regular role, making only six Championship appearances without scoring during the second half of last season.

That does not erase what came before. If anything, it reinforces the importance of finding a role that suits him.

Henrik Pedersen must find the same formula Nigel Clough did

Action Images

For Henrik Pedersen, therefore, the challenge is to recreate the conditions in which Keillor-Dunn has already shown he can thrive.

At his best, he is capable of operating between the lines, arriving in dangerous areas and contributing both goals and creativity. His Mansfield numbers were the clearest evidence of that - but his subsequent record with Barnsley suggests it was no one-season anomaly.

Wednesday’s early-season form has also created an opportunity. After the difficulties of last campaign, they have started the new League One season with considerably greater attacking intent, while Louie Barry’s three month injury layoff could leave a need for additional firepower.

Keillor-Dunn can provide it, but his success may ultimately depend on something very straightforward - to trust him to play his game.

Clough did that at Mansfield, and the reward was a player who helped drive the club to promotion.