Brennan Johnson says Lincoln City have been “really welcoming” since he joined on loan from Nottingham Forest and he feels “at home” with the Imps.
The 19-year-old forward has been in good form so far this season after joining Lincoln City in September, with seven goals and seven assists in all competitions.
Brennan spoke to Aaron Mayhew about how he is enjoying life as an Imp, his relationship with the gaffer, and his role in a “free-flowing” attack.
Johnson joined the Imps on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest in September and said former-Forest midfielder and current City number 10 Jorge Grant was welcoming when he arrived.
“Jorge said it was a great club and that I’ll get a chance to play football with a great bunch of lads. The club was really welcoming straight away; I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“All the staff are unbelievable; they’ve really helped me and made me feel at home here.
“I’m enjoying it and they’ve allowed me to just focus on playing football.”
As well as impressing individually this season, Brennan has been part of a Lincoln City team which is second in Sky Bet League One.
The forward puts this good first half of the season down to confidence and a strong belief within the team: “It’s what everyone probably more hoped for at the start of the season, but once we got the ball rolling and started getting really good wins under our belt we just grew in confidence and believed that on our day we could match any team in this league.”
“That must continue if we want to be up there at the end of the season.”
The Nottingham Forest loanee added that he thinks he has played well this season and that Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton is helping him develop as a young player.
“When I first got out on the pitch at the training ground, I noticed how much he goes into detail; it shows why younger players are developing so well under him.”
“He takes a lot of pride in what he does and gets the best out of teams, as has been shown this season.”
One of Brennan’s key attributes as a player is his speed, and in a Lincoln side that often punishes teams on the counterattack, he is flourishing.
Brennan explained that he has worked hard in training with his attacking teammates to establish a connection: “I think training is just more knowing what other players like and understanding their games as much as I understand mine.
“I know what I like to do so in training it’s about knowing what kind of runs the other lads like to make.
“Knowing how Scully and Hopper like to receive the ball, so that when we get onto the pitch it’s free-flowing and natural.”
Brennan was also complementary of his fellow forward, Tom Hopper, praising how unselfish the Lincoln striker is.
Johnson said: “He’s probably one of the most selfless strikers I’ve ever come across, which sets him apart to others in my eyes. If you look at the contributions he gives like passing to (Anthony) Scully against Northampton, I know a lot of other strikers who would have shot there.
“He’s also really good at holding the ball up. He knows that he can set it off to players then get into the box himself, it’s a really good quality.
“He’s a great player and I appreciate playing with him.”
