Creative midfielder Jacob Mellis is looking forward to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup First Round tie against Shaw Lane, but warns the Evo-Stik side deserve respect for their good run of form in 2017/18.
After providing the assist for striker Kane Hemmings to score Stags' goal against Exeter last week, former Chelsea man Mellis will be hoping to claim a place in manager Steve Evans' starting XI on Saturday.
And the 26-year-old is excited for Saturday's clash with the Ducks in what will be, if selected, Mellis' first cup tie against non-league opposition.
"I'm excited for it. I've never had a tie like this before. I normally just get teams in the same league or whatever, so I'm looking forward to this tie," the ex-Bury man said.
"We've got to respect them, they'll respect us and it'll be a good cup tie, I think.
"They're winning most games so it's a good test for us and you know with the FA Cup, anyone can win, so we've got to respect them.
"We'll prepare the same way [as a league game], exactly the same. They're going to have some good players and on the day anyone can win, so we'll have to be on our toes.
"They're going to have some good players and on the day anyone can win, so we'll have to be on our toes."
"I'm sure they'll think they can beat us, which is fair enough. We've got to be professional and play our football."
The ex-Barnsley midfield maestro has been used intermittently by manager Steve Evans so far this season and although he admits he'd like an extended run in the Stags' side, Mellis understands why the gaffer opts for different personnel in certain matches.
"I respect the gaffer; whatever team he picks, we do well. We played away at Newport, it's a difficult place to go and got a point and then I came in for the home games.
"I'm just happy when called upon. Obviously I want to be playing more but that's down to me. It's down to my form to show I should be [in the team].
"Like the gaffer says, it's not personal. You pick a team to win, to go out and perform. It's whoever can get the job done and if the players who are playing get the job done then everyone's happy."
Mellis played a starring role in last week's 1-1 draw at home to Exeter City, a match which Stags dominated for large spells, and the former England U19 international hopes he can contribute to more eye-catching performances heading forward.
"If you look at the game against Luton and the game on Saturday, we've just got to produce more performances like that. Exeter are a good team and we made them look average, so if we put in those kinds of performances then I'm sure we'll climb the table.
"In any competition, whether it's the Checkatrade [Trophy] or the FA Cup, we just want to win games.
"I think you can see this team is bubbling under something now. We've got to stop talking now and just do it really."
Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view Jacob Mellis' full news conference.
Why not watch Saturday's cup tie in the Kevin Bird Suite for just £5? Click here for more details.
