In-form Mansfield Town striker Kane Hemmings is enjoying life at One Call Stadium and believes confidence is high among the squad following today's excellent 3-1 win over Carlisle United, in which the frontman grabbed a brace.
The on-loan Oxford United man scored his first goal in the ninth minute, capitalising on a poor back-pass to round Carlisle 'keeper Jack Bonham and tap in before defender Rhys Bennett put Stags 2-0 up in the first half.
Carlisle got a goal back in the 67th minute, Jamie Devitt scoring a penalty, but with 15 minutes to go, Hemmings made it five goals in his last six games to finish the game off, turning in winger Alfie Potter's cross.
Speaking after the game, the centre forward believes confidence is flowing in the Stags camp as the victory, which rounded off an unbeaten festive period, moved Stags into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places.
"It's enjoyable, everyone's playing well," said the former Dundee man.
"We're all playing with confidence and we all know where we want to go. I think that's the main thing, everyone's got an idea of where we want to go and we want to be as high [up] the table as possible.
"Winning games breeds confidence and I think you can see that in the team at the minute.
"We've put ourselves in a great position in the league and hopefully we can capitalise on that and keep going forward.
"They had a way of playing and at times they were effective, but they never really had many clear cut chances on our goal. Despite the one [goal], I think we looked well worth the three points."
"We've put ourselves in a great position in the league and hopefully we can capitalise on that and keep going forward."
Mansfield's brilliant run has been aided by Hemmings hitting a rich vein of form and he feels like things are now going his way, as shown by the gift of an opening goal that he received during today's game.
"The last three or four games have been enjoyable and [long] may it continue. Hopefully the goals will start pushing us up the league.
"The gaffer's stuck with me when maybe he didn't need to and hopefully I'm repaying him at the minute.
"I've been doing the same things I've been doing since I've came in. I think the ball's just falling to me and I'm getting on the end of a few more things and just putting it away.
"I don't think I've changed too much. [I'm] maybe playing a bit higher, maybe not trying to get involved with the midfielders [as] much and just being a threat on the back line of the defenders.
"Obviously [I'm] delighted to get the two goals. The important thing is we got the win in the end because it puts us in a real good position and we've had a fantastic two weeks."
Looking forward, Hemmings is unsure what his future holds, with parent club Oxford United having the option to recall the striker later this month.
"I don't know what's happening. I think it's very much in Oxford's hands, what they decide to do. If [they recall me], I've had a great time here but if I'm still here I'll be delighted."
Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view the striker's full post-match interview.
