John Bostock has explained it is an honour to represent Notts County following doubts about dropping to the National League before his transfer to Meadow Lane last year.
The midfielder put pen to paper on an 18-month contract with the Magpies to further bolster their options in the middle of the park and provide that EFL experience that could see them end their four-year wait in the fifth tier.
The 31-year-old had to bide his time for a first league start as Luke Williams slowly started to integrate him into his side, with his performances in recent weeks proving what an asset he will be for the final 11 games of this remarkable campaign.
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Bostock was on hand to provide Sam Austin with his first two league goals during their 4-0 win over Southend, while also grabbing a hat-trick of assists in Notts' victory over Barnet at Meadow Lane.
"I am very happy to contribute, it's nice when stats kind of go your way," Bostock said on whether he was enjoying playing in that slightly more advanced midfield role.
"I just like playing, to be honest, and I have been playing in that deeper midfield role for the past six or seven years, and to be honest I feel more comfortable in that role.
"But I have worked under this manager long enough, even though it has been short, to trust that he knows what he wants and what is best for the team, so whether that is more offensive or more defensive, I am happy to play any role that he wants and the team needs me to play."
Despite creating several chances for his team-mates, Bostock is one of only seven outfield players yet to find the net this campaign, with the Magpies continuing to put to bed the rumours they are just a one-man team - showcasing 15 different scorers throughout the entirety of the campaign.
And the 31-year-old was quick to express his desire about adding to the list of Notts County goalscorers this season, he insisted that he is happy to continue supplying his team-mates in the forward positions.
"I wouldn't say it's playing on my mind, but it's a desire - I want to score," said Bostock.
"I think it will come and I think when one comes, more will come but my main focus is on really trying to provide for the proven killers within this team and I know if I get the ball to them in the right place, more often than not we are going to be wheeling away celebrating.
"But it would be nice if they provide for me or the team get me in a position that allows me to find the back of the net, it would be nice."
Before joining the club in early December last year, it was no secret that Bostock had expressed his desire to play higher than League Two having suffered relegation with former club Doncaster Rovers earlier that season.
And after turning down a new contract at the Keepmoat Stadium, the midfielder was left without a club, but trained with Nottingham Forest's under-21's to maintain match fitness - before training with Williams and his staff for two weeks before signing the deal.
Despite the doubts within Bostock's mind of dropping down to the fifth tier and out of the football league, he reiterated his love for the club and how the structure off the pitch quickly silenced those doubting voices.
"I love it, it is an absolute honour for me to represent this club.
"Even if I said it wasn't good, it would still be a huge honour for me because I know enough about the club to know that is it a fantastic club, but the set-up, you hear it and a lot of players say it in interviews when people ask team-mates about the set-up - but you have to be in it to really appreciate it.
"I have been at clubs at high levels in my career but the set-up here, the organisation, the discipline, and the structure it's incredible, it really is and it makes performing easier.
"I think that the way that we play, the structure and the consistency it's not just on the pitch, it's off the pitch as well. Everyone knows their role, and even in team meetings, all of the staff are there, everyone is in the team meetings which is quite rare at clubs.
"I know other clubs have their way of doing things, but being a part of this for the last few months has been a huge eye-opener for me - and when I first came I was a bit apprehensive about stepping out of the league because everyone wants to be in the league, but just training here and being a part of it quickly silenced my doubts."
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