Mansfield Town

Young playmaker looks ahead to future after returning to starting xi.

Midfielder Fergus Bell was pleased to return to our starting xi, despite Tuesday’s frustrating 1-1 draw with non-league Concord Rangers in the FA Cup.

Our team will visit the Aspect Arena next week for a replay after Jordan Chiedozie’s wonder-strike earned the Vanarama South outfit a replay.

“It’s a frustrating time at the moment,” said the playmaker. “Maybe we’re not getting the rub of the green and there’s a few things going against us. Obviously, if you go back a few weeks, then we were well under water with injuries too.

“I think it’s fair enough to be frustrated as a fan, but all in all, I felt on Tuesday night from a team perspective, the performance wasn’t shown in the result. I felt as if we put in a good performance and it could have been very different.”

He continued: “It’s sort of strange that I’m playing with a lot of strappings and things, but it’s just nice to be back out on the pitch and not have to worry about injuries.

“As much as you might feel physically okay, there’s a bit of a mental aspect and I know that’s the view of the other lads who’ve come back.”

Looking ahead, the 23-year-old is keen to maintain his place in the starting line-up and help our team get back to winning ways – starting tomorrow afternoon when we entertain Plymouth Argyle.

“I think the intensity in training has gone up a notch [with players returning from injury] and that’s because there’s great competition for places,” said Bell.

“The manager has got pretty hard decisions to make regarding the starting xi and that’s always good for a team. It’s sort of a nice headache for him to have in a way that players are now coming back to fitness.

“I think it’s time that we can turn the run around and definitely put some points on the board.”

He added: “We saw some of Plymouth’s game last weekend on the coach and they just look like a real attacking threat. They’ve got good players across the pitch, but I do feel that we can match them. One of our strongest aspects in recent games has been that we haven’t conceded too many goals.

“Our back three has been strong and Sascha [Studer, goalkeeper] has been improving as every game goes by, so it’s a good test and if we come out of games like that with a win then it’s only a positive, because people are probably tipping them for promotion with the run they’re on, but hopefully we can come out of this with three points.

Our difficult run of matches in Sky Bet League Two continues next weekend when we head to Luton Town, who currently occupy top spot, but that is something that doesn’t phase Bell.

“I think you’ve got to look at things in the context that you’re going to play these teams at some point,” added our summer signing.

“It doesn’t necessarily matter whether we’re on a winless run or a 10-match winning streak – the preparation changes week-by-week for the opposition that we’re playing.

“After Tuesday it’s a fresh start and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”