Tom ‘surprised’ by his goalscoring start to life with the first team
TOM Mehew admits he has been “surprised” by his breakthrough at Bristol Rovers after scoring his second goal in as many games.
The midfielder, 19, put the Gas ahead with a smart finish on his left foot in a 1-1 draw at Oxford United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, a month after he scored against Walsall in the same competition.
The academy graduate starred in a youthful Rovers side at the Kassam Stadium, running the show in the centre of the park before Ben Garner’s side were punished for a long list of missed chances, conceding a late equaliser and losing the bonus point shootout 4-3.
Garner described Mehew’s performance as “outstanding” at full-time, and the teenager concedes his season so far has exceeded all expectations.
“I am surprised by it all,” he admitted. “I don’t think in my whole youth career I’ve ever scored to be honest, and then I’ve come up (to the first team) and scored twice.
“I don’t know what I was doing in there to be honest, it was all on instinct. It’s a shock, but I’m just happy to be around and when I get my chance I’ll take it.
“I was happy with my performance but I’d rather get the win so I can play more games in this cup, because that would happen if we won.
“I’ve travelled to most league games but I haven’t been on the bench yet. All I can do is try to take my chance when I get it and be ready for it.”
Comparisons will always be drawn between Mehew and his father David, a Rovers legend who made more than 200 appearances for the club.
The 19-year-old believes they are completely different players, but says his father, now 52, has had a big impact on his career.
“He’s been alright, to be fair,” the midfielder said. “He would take me to training and back when I was younger. He tends to stay out of things and lets me get on with it, which I like.
“I never saw him play for Rovers, but he’s got the videos at home and he gets them out every Christmas.
“I would say I’m a completely different player, he was quick down the line, whereas I’m a midfielder and like to sit back, even though I’ve scored twice. I’m more of a defensive player usually.”
Mehew has praised Ben Garner for the “massive” role in his rapid progression in recent months after being included in the first-team squad on day one of pre-season.
“Hopefully I will make my league debut this year,” the teenager continued. “I may have to go out on loan to get proper gametime, but the goal is to make my league debut this season.
“I’m a fan, and that’s why I’d rather win than score. I used to go all the time, to the play-offs and all the pitch invasions. I would go every week.
“I’ve been here from the first age group and worked my way up. Scoring in front of a full Thatchers End is the dream.”
» Rovers will continue to be without Jonah Ayunga, Alex Rodman and Mark Little for tomorrow’s League One game at Lincoln City.
The home side will be depleted by the absence of three players on international duty.
Brennan Johnson, an on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder, and Aaron Lewis are with Wales Under-21s, while Zack Elbouzedi is with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.
Jamie Soule could make his league debut for Michael Appleton’s table-toppers having been brought in on a short-term loan from West Brom on Tuesday and played – and scored – in the subsequent 3-1 EFL Trophy win at Mansfield. Soule was signed following the recent shoulder injury sustained by Callum Morton, who is also on loan with the Imps from Albion.
I was happy with my performance but I’d rather get the win so I can play more games in this cup, because that would happen if we won