#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham speaks on battle for starting berth #AFCB

CHRIS Mepham is aware that he has to keep his performance levels high with positional rivals waiting in the wings – revealing how he always backed himself to get back into the starting XI. In the last two seasons in the Championship, Mepham played less than half of Cherries’ league fixtures, usually finding himself either on the bench or out of the squad completely. Whilst skipper Lloyd Kelly is currently sidelined, fellow centre-back Marcos Senesi has found his feet after joining from Feyenoord this summer. Deadline day signing Jack Stephens is hot on the heels of the starting defenders, with Mepham more than familiar with having to wait for his chance. The 24-year-old told the Daily Echo: “I've been on the receiving end of it over the past couple of seasons, where it’s me waiting for my opportunity and waiting to go in and it was someone else keeping me out of the team. “And however cut-throat that is, I just need to make sure that I keep my shirt and keep putting in performances and staying in that team. “Because ultimately we're all human, we’re all footballers, and we want to be out there every Saturday. “The onus is now on me to do that. I feel like I started the season well, but I think many (become) complacent and switch off. “Someone else is waiting to get the opportunity.” Since securing his spot in the starting eleven, the Welsh international has signed a new deal at Cherries. Clearly settled on the south coast, the former Brentford man was keen to force his way back into the first-team picture. He continued: “It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel or such when you've had a couple of seasons and not been in the team. “But I've always sort of kept believing myself. “I've always done things properly around the place and been a good professional and tried to make sure that I'm ready when called upon. “I feel like this season is a turning point for me and I'm keen to keep that going.”