AMARI’I Bell has caused a few surprises since he joined Swindon Town on loan from Birmingham, just prior to the game at Barnsley.

When the Birmingham youngster initially came on board it was presumed he would provide cover for the since-departed Brad Smith, but after his debut for both fitness and availability reasons Bell usurped the Australian international.

To label him as a stop-gap option would be unfair. After a solid start, he excelled at Leyton Orient. With Smith absent for Plymouth and apparently unavailable at Yeovil, Bell now has a chance to make the position his own.

On Tuesday night he demonstrated on a couple of occasions that he is not to be underestimated with the ball at his feet, essential in Town’s style of play.

However as a tough self-critic he will have been disappointed in his work defensively, especially when he let Matty Done get inside him to provide for Rochdale’s first goal.

“I am quite harsh on myself,” said Bell. “Firstly I judge myself on if I’ve defended well. Then if I’ve got forward whether I gave input on the attacking side as well, but mainly it’s based on defending.

“With regards to Brad going back it’s good in a way but you always need cover for the position, it’s good to have a bit of competition.

“The atmosphere here is good, the lads are buzzing due to their good start in the league. (Playing here) is a lot different from under 21s football, that’s a bit less competitive, here there’s three points on the board and everyone is fighting to try and win them.

“Everybody is confident here, we just need to keep that going and hopefully that will help us get good results in the future."

Bell might be moved around if boss Mark Cooper decides to switch Yaser Kasim back into midfield against Colchester.

The 20-year-old defender is comfortbale with playing at centre-back and potentially having to get his hands dirty.

“I do enjoy playing wing-back rather than centre back, but I can play there if needs be,” he added, “You always have to put your body on the line in certain circumstances if it comes to it then something I’ll have to do.

“When you make a few changes after a team that’s doing well it’s always going to be a bit more difficult. With a bit more preparation and training ground I feel that we’ll do well.”