Mansfield Town midfielder Jamie McGuire is confident we can build on our good start to the league campaign which has so far seen us pick up six points from a possible nine.
The next test for the Stags is away to Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday (3pm) and McGuire said that the team will aim to keep improving: â[Weâve got] six points on the board, two home games - a good start - especially at home.âWe were unlucky against Northampton in the first game but we got the six points from the two home games so going there [to Dagenham] and getting the three points would be great but at the end of the day if we pick up a point [it would be satisfactory] - the main thing is that we donât lose the game and [that we] give a good account of ourselves.â
McGuire believes that Dagenham will pose a similar threat to Oxford United - who Stags' overcame at One Call Stadium last week. âThey [Dagenham] like to play the ball out from the back. They know itâs going to be competitive, they know theyâve got to work hard [against us]. Theyâre doing okay but itâs all about us going down there and even if we pick up a point itâs not the end of the world.â
After Tuesdayâs combative performance against Newport County, the midfielder has hailed the Stagsâ grit and determination. He said: âWe like to go all-out, we like to defend, we like to attack. Weâre competitive and I think you do need that in League Two. When we played Sheffield United they let you have the ball but in League Two itâs more 'in to your face'. Theyâre right up against you, but I donât mind to be honest as long as weâre winning games, thatâs the main thing for us.â
The 30-year-old said that the competition for places in central midfield is rife, and he is enjoying playing with summer signing, Simon Heslop: âHessyâs been there and done it. He knows League Two well, he knows League One well, and heâs been a breath of fresh air. We are vying for our places. Whoever the gaffer chooses on a Saturday or a Tuesday, everyone knows what to do and youâve just got to keep hold of your place.â
The ex-Fleetwood Town man said that when he was thrown the captainâs armband for the Capital One Cup tie against Sheffield United, he had no qualms about taking it, he said: âIâd always take it and try and lead the troops and we did well.â
âI encourage the lads; keep them working hard because thatâs what youâve got to do in this league because itâs a competitive league. Youâve always got to be on your toes, youâve always got to defend which youâve seen as a team lately weâve done really well. Thereâs a good vibe at the moment between everyone.â