Neal Bishop appreciation thread

[AlfStag]

As a new Stags fan I have to say that the standout performer for me so far in the few games I've seen has been Neal Bishop. He might be 37 and what some would label a "journeyman" but he is rock solid, gives 100%, keeps it simple and nearly always finds his man when passing. I also like the fact he really celebrates a win and shows clear appreciation for the fans after a game.

Model pro that lad and hopefully his legs will be good for another year or two yet.

[old ram stag]

I agree he's quality.

[Big yella]

Bishop is the kind of player who won't win most man of the matches, but will be right up there for player of the season.

I would go as far as to say that if he isn't in the running for player of the season then we won't be successful in our promotion bid, for he makes us tick. He protects the back three and at the same time gives Mellis, Elsnik, Kahn or Butcher the freedom to press on.

[Conker]

He’s quality and exactly what we needed, my only criticism is along with Mellis that when we are without the ball they both struggle to pick it up in the middle - most games it’s bouncing centrally without a challenge for the opposition player. As a duo they are a huge threat on the ball though.

You can’t expect perfection at this level, Bishop could still easily play L1 in my opinion.

[Stoney]

I wish we got him a few years back. The bloke is pure class.

[HitchcocksShins]

i'd lick his mrs' thighs just to get a taste of him

[I am Spartacus]

As my County Supporting Season Ticket Holding brother said of him in the summer, ‘A brilliant signing, wish he had signed him’.

An astute signing, a great player and I think no-one on the pitch reads the game better. Surely one to bear in mind for a coaching role as the club progresses?

I can’t see him not being given player of the Season. His consistency, demeanour, setting of high standards, abilty and that goal at West Brom set him apart.

[I am Spartacus]

i'd lick his mrs' thighs just to get a taste of him

And people think with my lime green jelly fetish that I am ‘odd’.

I think the baton needs passing on.

[Marky Mark]

As a new Stags fan I have to say that the standout performer for me so far in the few games I've seen has been Neal Bishop. He might be 37 and what some would label a "journeyman" but he is rock solid, gives 100%, keeps it simple and nearly always finds his man when passing. I also like the fact he really celebrates a win and shows clear appreciation for the fans after a game.

Model pro that lad and hopefully his legs will be good for another year or two yet.

How lucky you are, in your first year of watching Mansfield, to have Neal Bishop to watch. It's saved you years of grumbling about needing someone in the middle of the park just like Neal Bishop. We've needed a player like Neal Bishop for more seasons than we haven't. The young lads who start following Mansfield in the next 5 years are going to wish they'd have been around to see Bishop, in the same way that I regret never having seen Gordon Hodgson.

[ParisStag]

As a new Stags fan I have to say that the standout performer for me so far in the few games I've seen has been Neal Bishop. He might be 37 and what some would label a "journeyman" but he is rock solid, gives 100%, keeps it simple and nearly always finds his man when passing. I also like the fact he really celebrates a win and shows clear appreciation for the fans after a game.

Model pro that lad and hopefully his legs will be good for another year or two yet.

How lucky you are, in your first year of watching Mansfield, to have Neal Bishop to watch. It's saved you years of grumbling about needing someone in the middle of the park just like Neal Bishop. We've needed a player like Neal Bishop for more seasons than we haven't. The young lads who start following Mansfield in the next 5 years are going to wish they'd have been around to see Bishop, in the same way that I regret never having seen Gordon Hodgson.

The club ought to be on the search already for his replacement. When he stops playing, whether that's at the end of this season or in 5 years time, we need someone to fill that gap. That's how great an impact he's had: he's been playing here for 3 months and we already know that he'll be almost irreplaceable when he goes.

[AlfStag]

With things on the up as they are I'd be confident he finishes his playing career at Field Mill and hopefully when he came here part of the discussion was there being a job for him coaching when he hangs his boots up.

[robeyre]

Just the player we needed. Class
We could name the new stand and the street behind after him!!
Oh but wait......

[STAGS FOR LIFE]

Just the player we needed. Class
We could name the new stand and the street behind after him!!
Oh but wait......

Lord Bishop Stand

[robeyre]

Just the player we needed. Class
We could name the new stand and the street behind after him!!
Oh but wait......

Lord Bishop Stand

St Bishop Street stand!!

[MTFCMusings]

Brilliant all-round midfielder. As I have said previously his passing is a lot better than I anticipated. He breaks lines constantly.

[Mr Grimsdale]

We've got Neal Bishop
He's our best midfielder
He never gives the ball away
MTFC

Perhaps that's the song that should be sung..

[Dan]

I said on here when we signed him that we should make him captain, build the team around him & he'd be player of the season for us & some people ridiculed me because he was 36 at the time. I've known him for many years and trust me you won't see a fitter 37 year old in the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still playing league football at 40.

[PRL13]

We needed a Murray and he is considerably better. Never thought much to Hodgson, but Mick Laverick!

[laneymtfc]

We've got Neal Bishop
He's our best midfielder
He never gives the ball away
MTFC

Perhaps that's the song that should be sung..

Our version of this chant sounds like a 4 year old made it, 'hes our best midfielder' i hate it when it gets sung on match day

[Uppityrstag]

I agree Bishop has been superb for us. It was a bit strange to check the Port Vale message board last week (In a vain attempt to guess how many fans they would bring for my entry in the Railway prediction league) , and to see one of them refer to him as "The vile Neil Bishop" . I have no idea what that's all about , but guess he must have some history with them . He does get stuck in , but has never struck me as being one of those characters a lot of other fans despise , like Brodie or Joey Barton .

[Amber Andy]

I said on here when we signed him that we should make him captain, build the team around him & he'd be player of the season for us & some people ridiculed me because he was 36 at the time. I've known him for many years and trust me you won't see a fitter 37 year old in the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still playing league football at 40.

In that regard he reminds me of Les Robinson.

[yorkshire stag]

We needed a Murray and he is considerably better. Never thought much to Hodgson, but Mick Laverick!

OMG really sorry but is that some sort of blind mans comment ?

“Never thought much to Hodgson” ?

the single most absurd comment i’ve ever read on Stagsnet

Gordon Hodgson was the best midfielder i’ve ever seen in a Stags shirt

i’m just lost for words youth, please explain your comment?

[Mr Grimsdale]

We needed a Murray and he is considerably better. Never thought much to Hodgson, but Mick Laverick!

OMG really sorry but is that some sort of blind mans comment ?

“Never thought much to Hodgson” ?

the single most absurd comment i’ve ever read on Stagsnet

Gordon Hodgson was the best midfielder i’ve ever seen in a Stags shirt

i’m just lost for words youth, please explain your comment?

Indeed, staggering.

[Mr Grimsdale]

We've got Neal Bishop
He's our best midfielder
He never gives the ball away
MTFC

Perhaps that's the song that should be sung..

Our version of this chant sounds like a 4 year old made it, 'hes our best midfielder' i hate it when it gets sung on match day

I have to agree , its awful , but when I do hear it chanted, I always think of Bishop....miles away the best midfielder at the club.

[Big yella]

We needed a Murray and he is considerably better. Never thought much to Hodgson, but Mick Laverick!

OMG really sorry but is that some sort of blind mans comment ?

“Never thought much to Hodgson” ?

the single most absurd comment i’ve ever read on Stagsnet

Gordon Hodgson was the best midfielder i’ve ever seen in a Stags shirt

i’m just lost for words youth, please explain your comment?

Can't wait for this explanation, I've never heard madness explain its self.

In a side full of classic cars he was the Rolls Royce, he just purred through a game.