Stags' assistant manager Paul Raynor says he can feel 'the buzz' around One Call Stadium ahead of this Saturday's eagerly-anticipated local derby against Chesterfield (1.00pm kick-off).
The fierce rivalry will be renewed for the first time since a 0-0 draw at One Call Stadium in 2014 and Saturday's match will be the 76th competitive meeting between the sides.
Both teams are in good form heading into the encounter, with Stags enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run whilst the Spirietes are without defeat in four league games.
And assistant boss Raynor admits that he is looking forward to the match after feeling the excitement around One Call Stadium in recent weeks.
"You see the buzz. You see the people outside when we pull up in a morning queuing for tickets. You see that extra edge, you see how important it is," the former Leeds United assistant said.
"We're really looking forward to it and we can understand why the fans are as well.
"There is an extra edge to them (local derbies). People who say 'it's just the same old game' – it's not. There is an extra edge to them and you get a little bit more out of players. The opposition will be up a little bit more for it and the atmosphere will be slightly different.
"It will hopefully be a sell-out here on Saturday with a fantastic atmosphere and you've got to relish that. You've got to look forward to that and I know speaking to the boys this morning, they're all really looking forward to it."
"There is an extra edge to them (local derbies). People who say 'it's just the same old game' – it's not."
With Stags currently on a nine-match unbeaten run, spirit is high in the camp and Raynor believes the quality of the Mansfield side is beginning to show on a more consistent basis.
"I think the quality of football that's been on show, particularly in recent weeks, there's been little sproutings of that throughout the season, but now it all seems to be coming together nicely.
"There's a real spirit there; you can feel it growing, you can feel it growing in the supporters and you can certainly see it growing in the squad.
"Chesterfield are playing very well at the moment. Jack [Lester, Chesterfield manager] seems to have gone in there and turned them around and got them some positive results. We know how tough it's going to be; forget what the neutral says, forget what the league table says, at one o'clock on Saturday, it's game on.
"We're all under pressure to win football matches, it doesn't matter where you are in the table. Jack came in when they were in a difficult position. We're under pressure to deliver and hopefully deliver promotion."
The former Nottingham Forest midfielder revealed that striker Lee Angol is set to return to training on Thursday after his knee injury, giving Stags a full squad to choose from ahead of Saturday's match.
"It was a tough game at Port Vale. We've picked up a few knocks and bangs and bruises, so we'll have a look at it today in training and see who looks sharp and who looks a little bit jaded, so we'll pick the team accordingly tomorrow.
"We've got Lee Angol training with us today. He'll have a couple of days' training before Saturday, so that's a positive.
"Everybody is fit and well and it's not very often throughout the season, whenever it is, that you've got everybody available to play and we've got the prospect of that for Saturday, which is fantastic."
Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view Paul Raynor's full news conference.
Have you got your ticket for Saturday's game yet? Tickets for the local derby MUST be purchased in advance. Tickets cannot be purchased on the day of the game. Click here for more details.
