Commanding central defender Krystian Pearce says the Stags' squad are 'buzzing' following a run of just one defeat in 11 Sky Bet League Two matches.
Their excellent form has seen them climb to fifth in the League Two table, just three points outside the automatic promotion spots.
And Pearce, who has made the most appearances of any Stags’ defender this season, has given a glimpse into the confident Mansfield Town dressing room.
"Everybody in the camp knows that if you aren't doing the business on the pitch, you won't be there next week so everyone tries to put the effort in during training and on a matchday," the 28-year-old said.
"Everyone knows the quality's improved. I think generally there's a buzz around the place and everyone's buzzing.
“I think the boys are more confident this season that we can get the job done and finish in the top three rather than the play-offs.
“I think we’ve just got to stay positive, keep doing what we’re doing, stick to our beliefs and play the football we’ve been playing.
“It’s very tight at the top so we need to keep getting the points on the board and hope others slip up.
"Everyone knows the quality's improved. I think generally there's a buzz around the place and everyone's buzzing."
“Hopefully we can continue what we’ve been doing. We’ve not lost many games this season and we just need to draw a little bit less and turn those points into three points and end up in that top three.”
Nicknamed The Chief by his teammates, Pearce admits keeping a clean sheet in Tuesday’s 5-0 drubbing of Newport was more pleasing than the winning margin, but has stressed his desire to put back-to-back wins together with this week’s trip to Exeter City just 48 hours away.
“I’m a defender so clean sheets are my objective every game. A clean sheet and a win is all I ask for every week, so I was pleased.
“I think the lads wanted to bounce back from the previous game. Obviously we were on a good run before that game so we’re trying to start a new run now.
“We were on a good run and obviously we’re trying to get promoted so we know these are big games and we need to try and win back-to-back games.
“It’s going to be another tough game but they’re beatable. We’re in good form and spirits are high so I see no reason why we can’t go down there and get three points.
“They’re near enough up there every year so it’s going to be a tough game but I’m confident that we can get three points there.”
Krystian Pearce’s news conference is available to view in full by logging into iFollow Stags.
