Chester FC winger Craig Mahon reckons his form is about to turn a corner as he looks to put a frustrating start to the season behind him.
The 26-year-old enjoyed an excellent 2014-15 campaign but has struggled to produce the same level of performance this time around.
Mahon admits he has been below his best and although he can't put his finger on the reasons for that, the Irishman feels that could be about to change as the Blues prepare to visit Tranmere Rovers on Saturday (3pm).
He said: "Over the last two or three weeks I've not felt right in training or in the games. I don't know what it is, whether I've burned myself out and put in too much effort but the last week I've been feeling great in training.
"I feel like I've come back to myself and when I've got the ball I feel like I've got all the time in the world where as for the last two weeks I felt like everything was falling down on top of me.
LOOK: Craig Mahon's career with Chester FC so far
"This week's been really good especially in training and I've really got my confidence back so I'm hoping I can take that into the match on Saturday and get the three points.
"The gaffer's had a talk to me and he's told me he can see that I'm trying but sometimes you can try too hard and I think that's what I've been doing. Because of how well I did last season I want to go back to that form but I've been trying too hard and putting too much pressure on myself.
"This week I've felt great, I feel relaxed and I feel confident so I can't wait for the game."
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This weekend's game - the first competitive meeting between Chester and Tranmere since 1991 - has particular significance for Mahon.
His uncle Alan started and finished his career at Prenton Park, making more than 100 appearances for the Wirral club and helped them reach the League Cup final in 2000.
"My uncle Alan had a great few years at Tranmere and he always speaks highly of the club but obviously this weekend I want to beat them," said Mahon.
"He's always giving me banter, even when we're not playing anybody. He's making sure I do well and work hard in the matches. He keeps telling me to go out and enjoy it, express myself and that's what I'm hoping to do."
