Midfielder happy with early season form but is eager to keep improving...
Neal Bishop is arguably enjoying his best run of form since joining the club in 2009 and the midfielder says that there is more to come.
Bishop has been one of the Magpies' most consistent performers this term and already has three goals to his name.
The figure is level with his career best for a season, which was achieved during his time as a York City player.
Bishop has been happy with his performances so far but insists there is a long way to go.
“I’m probably approaching somewhere near my best,” the skipper told Magpie Player.
“Obviously, coming into the game late, it’s been a strange path to get here.
“I’m loving it, I’m 31 now and I’m fitter than I was when I was 21, which is strange, but people develop at different rates and times.
“I’m feeling fit and feeling strong, and the older you get you’ve got to adjust certain things and you’ve got to live your lifestyle more correctly and more professionally.
“You’ve got to get your recovery right and you’ve got to adjust things along the way if you want to stay in the game for as long as possible.
“I feel good, I feel strong, I feel fit and, touch wood, I’m playing well, so I don’t see why I can’t continue for many years to come.”
Bishop feels that the support of first team manager Keith Curle and his coaches, Colin Lee and Colin West, have helped him to improve this season.
The midfielder was not happy with his displays at the back end of last season but is glad to have settled into the 4-3-3 system.
“I’ve got that license to get into the box and the manager and the coaches want me to be doing that even more,” he continued.
“I’ve got a bit of a different role now, with Andre in the middle of the pitch you’ve always got a safeguard so if things break down you’ve always got that safety net.
“I’m moderately happy but I’m confident that there’s more to come.
“The coaches want more from me, after each game we’ll analyse what we did wrong and what we did right, and they’ll take time out individually to talk to me.
“They’re demanding more from me with each game, which I’m finding fantastic and, at the minute, not only me, plenty of the lads are thriving off that.
“They’re taking the time to make us better players and as professionals that’s brilliant.”
Bishop is hoping to pass a late fitness test to be available for this weekend’s fixture with Coventry City, after missing the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match with a rib injury.
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