Mansfield Town midfielder Hiram Boateng says ‘I’m getting back to my best’, after impressing in his first back-to-back 90-minute games in a Stags’ shirt.
The 26-year-old has had a self-confessed ‘frustrating’ time with injury and suspension but provided a delightful match-winning assist for George Maris in Saturday’s win at Rochdale.
Already a fans’ favourite, Hiram hopes to build on his superb recent performances as Stags head to Harrogate Town on Saturday.
Speaking to iFollow Stags in a news conference today, he said: “I think it’s been frustrating at times for me [after] being injured for a while.
“Now I’m back it’s a case of looking forward. I think I started off [my season] quite well and feel like since I’ve returned to the side, I’m getting back to my best again.”
On his own personal start to the campaign, the midfielder said: “It’s been on and off.
“There’s been some frustrating displays personally like the red card in the Swindon game.
“I feel like I’m someone who’s quite tough mentally and I always know I can’t get too high or low so I’m always willing to put in all my effort and bounce back from bad times and keep looking forward.”
Hiram and the Mansfield squad were backed by over 1,100 Stags’ supporters at Rochdale on Saturday and will continue to be supported in large numbers in the coming weeks. This weekend’s away allocation at Harrogate has sold out.
“The support we had at the weekend was brilliant. It made such a massive difference for us.
“Since I’ve come here, the fans have been great with me. They’ve been great with the boys as well and we just want to repay the fans every time we get on the pitch and do well for the club.”
Despite his undeniable quality, the former MK Dons man has had to fend off some strong competition in the Stags’ midfield.
“We’ve got some great players in the midfield,” he said.
“I think there is a lot of good competition for places which helps to keep the work ethic high.
“You’ve got the likes of Laps [George Lapslie] who isn’t even playing in the midfield at the moment and he's another one who can do really well in there and he’s playing up top doing a good job for us.”
The squad will travel to Harrogate on Saturday aiming to take all three points from a side that have caused Mansfield problems in recent seasons.
“I think it’ll be a tough game,” said Hiram.
“When you play on the road it’s always tough. Teams can sometimes have more control or sit in.”
