Mansfield Town goalkeeper Nathan Bishop admits the club’s goal of promotion ‘would mean the world’ if achieved at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old has impressed on loan from Manchester United, featuring in all the Stags’ league games this season.
Speaking to iFollow Stags, Mansfield’s number one said: “For me it’s about playing games, getting the most minutes I can and really pushing on to develop myself as a person, as a man and learning my trade.
“It would mean the world to me [to get promoted with Mansfield]. Since I signed for this club, it has been absolutely one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had.
“Even at the beginning of the season when it wasn’t going all our way, it was tough but the fanbase and everyone around [the club] just keeps it positive.”
Bishop praised the performance of his teammates to claim a point in the 1-1 draw at Newport County at the weekend, despite having a man less from the 74th minute onwards.
“I thought the boys were fantastic,” he said.
“I think the shifts in recent weeks have been outstanding.
“When I see it [the Stags style of play] in front of me, it’s a great watch.
“The football we play and the way we play is just exciting.
“To be able to see it, watch it, feel it, live it is the best thing possible.”
The Stags are on a magnificent run of 12 league games without defeat, with Bishop conceding only three times in the last seven matches of that sequence.
“To be fair, I haven’t had too much to do,” he said.
“Our defensive tactics and stuff from the front [to the back] have been unbelievable.
“I can’t take too much credit [for the clean sheets] but I’m really enjoying it and from a personal perspective being a ‘keeper at this club and this team is really exciting.
“I’m really enjoying it.
“It [the recent form] is a belief. It comes from the manager, it comes from Garns [first team coach Andy Garner], Gaz [assistant manager Gary Crosby] – it comes from all of them [in the coaching staff].
“Even Seamus [McDonagh], the goalie coach. It’s constantly being fed down to us that we should have a character and belief.
“We should fight for everything and go for everything that we can get.”
Mansfield are now set for a challenging period of the season, facing promotion rivals Exeter and Tranmere following this Saturday’s clash away at Bradford.
“After the game you see how exhausted the boys are and I think that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s about leaving everything out there [on the pitch] and that’s what the fans deserve.
“I can’t wait [to face Bradford]. It’s a great stadium. I think we’ve sold out which should be exciting.”
The Stags will be backed by over 2,000 fans at Utilita Energy Stadium.
“For us they’re the twelfth man said Bishop. “It literally feels like if we go behind we can get through any game.
“That’s [down to] them standing behind us. They’ve been the loudest [supporters in the ground] every time.”
The ‘keeper spoke about the unity within the squad amidst this sensational run of form.
“[For] These lads it’s their livelihoods. To get the three points and make every minute of every game count is the most important thing.
“The togetherness [within the squad] shows three points matters every single week.
“I’m here to help as much as I can help and be helped by the other lads as well.
“In this team, I think [with] the characters that we’ve got we can get through any scenario.
“We’re pulling through and getting results.”
Watch Bish's interview in full by clicking here.
