MIDFIELDER Ben Fox has praised his Burton Albion teammates for their support during his breakthrough season.
Following loan spells in the National League North with Tamworth and National League sides Solihull Moors and Gateshead, Fox returned to pre-season training with The Brewers last summer and has gone on to make nine appearances so far this season, all but one of which have been starts.
After making a mistake in the 3-1 defeat at Gillingham that led to the hosts’ first goal, Fox revealed that captain Jake Buxton sat down with him and offered some key advice after what was one of several learning experiences the young midfielder will go through this term.
“All my teammates have been fantastic, in games and out of games,” said Fox.
“You always have to look (at the example of the older professionals) and keep learning. I’ve watched every game back, especially the Gillingham game where there was a mistake on my part for their first goal.
“I sat down with Jake after Gillingham and he gave me things to improve on, and after that chat I felt much better.
“It shows how good our group is that even the experienced pros want to help the likes of me, Reece (Hutchinson) and all the youngsters.
“I’ve learned what I should and shouldn’t have done in that situation and that’s important. You’ve got to make mistakes to learn what to do and what not to do, and hopefully it’s something I won’t do again.”
Fox says he understands how important it is for him to be versatile as he looks to cement his place in the Burton Albion starting XI.
Although most comfortable as a central midfielder, Fox has played out wide for The Brewers after breaking into the first team this season, as well as at full-back, where he played for the full 90 minutes against Accrington Stanley last weekend.
The 20-year-old Academy graduate even played for a few minutes at centre-half in the 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Championship side Aston Villa, after Kyle McFadzean was sent off late on.
“I like the fact that I’m playing every week, whether that’s at right-back, left-wing, wherever, I feel that’s really good,” added Fox.
“It’s important for me to be versatile, to be able to do a job wherever I play, and hopefully I can continue to do a job.
“It was good to get a go in central midfield - the gaffer played me right midfield last season. Central midfield is my preferred position but I’m happy playing.
“As long as I’m in that starting XI and I can do as much as I can, do my best for the team, that’s the most important thing.”
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