Mansfield Town’s Nathan Moriah-Welsh relishing busy Christmas period as he searches for consistency
Nathan Moriah-Welsh is relishing the busy Christmas period with five games in 16 days and vowing to stop over-thinking and show fans the best of his game.
“I prefer playing game after game,” said the summer signing from Hibernian.
“That was one of the main things about coming back to England.
“I have always loved the Saturday/Tuesdays from my time at Newport and I missed it.
“After one game you go into the next one and there is no dwelling on them and no time for disappointment.
“It is an exciting time with a lot of games over Christmas and things can change fast.
“We want to try to pick up as many points as possible.
“It is not the be all and end all, but it is a period in which you can pick up some good points.
“I will be spending Christmas Day chilling with my dog and maybe with my mum as well when she comes down. I will just relax, I don't really do much.”
The 23-year-old Guyanan international knows his form has been inconsistent so far, but believes he is on course to sort that out.
“My season has been stop-start with performances not where I would have wanted them to be,” he admitted.
“At times I have done well and at times I could have done better. I think we can all agree on that.
“I have maybe been over-thinking things a lot and I just need to calm down a little bit and show what I can do on a day to day basis.
“But it is not something at the top of my head that I am concerned about. At the end of the day football is football and if I can give the best account of myself every week, as well as the other lads, then we have a chance.
“Personally I want to give a high level performance each week. Sometimes it's not there, but I am young and that's a part of the game really.”
He is at least one of very few Mansfield players to have not been sidelined by injury this season and said: “Touch wood, I think I have played every game this season which is good for me. Your availability is your best ability.
“I want to stay fit and try to look after myself as much as possible which is a good trait to have at such a young age, and I want to keep that going for the rest of my career.
“Team-wise we have done well but with the injuries we've had it's been tough, though the boys who have come in have never looked out of place.”
A summer signing, he said: “It has been quite easy to settle in as I already know so many of the players here.
“All the boys are good. It is a good group.
“Since being a 16-year-old boy, or even younger, and being released by three different clubs I have always wanted to be the best I can and be the best person possible.
“Some of the boys tell me that football is not the be all and end all and you have a life after it and, while you are playing, you have a life away from it too.
“Finding that balance this season has been key and it has probably helped me quite a bit recently.”
Moriah-Welsh was involved in both Guayana internationals in the last break, winning both and taking his own tally of caps to 26.
“It is obviously an honour and where our country is at the minute is a very positive place,” he said.
“It has been good to see the progression over the last five years I have been in that programme and there is more to come.
“Heading off to play in warm weather always helps, whatever job you are in – my grandparents will tell you that. It's good for the bones.
“Personally it was good for me to get away and get those two wins in the last break.”