Mark Bower column

Any footballer wants to be playing and I was obviously disappointed to be left out in midweek. But we've got a big squad here and people deserve chances to play. That's what happened Tuesday night and we got the win.

It's a frustrating experience not to be in the side, especially when I've had a good run in the team in the past couple of years. But whether you agree with the manager's decision or not, there's only one thing you can do now as a player and that's to knuckle down and make sure you're ready if and when you are called upon.

It might be next week, next month, or next year, you don't know, but you have to be professional about it and when that time comes be ready to go back in there.

Before the game it didn't feel any different because you're still looking at things you might have to do if you come on but afterwards you are a bit detached because you've not really been involved.

But we're all delighted we got the win, which has been a long time coming. We've probably deserved more in the previous eight games but it was a relief to finally get those three points on Tuesday night and hopefully we can use that as a springboard.

A win breeds confidence and it's something we can take into Saturday's game. It's a little break now from the league, although it will be a bit strange playing Chester again.

Last year we played Millwall on the Saturday and then the Tuesday and it looked like two totally different teams turned up for those games. So I don't think the league match will have any bearing with how it goes this weekend, although we'd settle for the same result.

We've been a bit unlucky with the FA Cup draws by keeping drawing teams from the same division. We've managed to get to the second round the last couple of years, which is a slight improvement on what's gone on before, but hopefully we can go one step more this time and then perhaps get a bit of luck with the draw to boost the club financially and help all of us.

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