CHRIS Mepham has admitted his frustration at going from a starter to squad player under Scott Parker, but insists: “I don’t really expect to be playing because the lads have been excellent.”

The Wales international started each of the first five Championship games this season before players returned and depth was added to the squad, and he hasn’t started since.

Mepham, 23, has appeared in six of the 10 since from the bench, often getting just a few minutes when tasked to shore up a winning position.

But with Cherries unbeaten at the top of the table, the former Brentford versatile defender admits he knows he’s not in a position to ask for more game-time.

“It’s been a little bit difficult in the sense of starting every game at the start and suddenly I haven’t started any game since Hull away,” Mepham admitted in an interview with afcbTV.

“So it’s been difficult watching from the side but at the same time the team has been amazing. Watching from the side, we seem like a totally different outfit this year, we look organised, defensively we look unbelievable.

“I think that’s what made me more positive, knowing that all the lads in the team have been doing their bit to stay in the side.

“Although it is frustrating for me, at this moment in time I don’t really expect to be playing because the lads have been excellent and we’ve hardly conceded.”

Mepham was at Chelsea’s academy as a youngster before he moved to fellow London side Brentford in 2012.