Energetic winger Alfie Potter says the Stags' squad are 'buzzing' following a run of just one defeat in 19 games in all competitions, a spell which has seen them move to just one point outside the automatic promotion places in Sky Bet League Two.
The Stags take on Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium on Saturday (13 January, 3.00pm kick-off) with Steve Evans' men aiming to break into the top three, whilst the U's will be hoping to close the gap the play-off places.
And Potter, who is hoping to extend his excellent run of form by starting his fourth consecutive game on Saturday, is feeling confident in his own performances and the team's displays in recent weeks.
"I've had a little run of games now. We've picked up a couple of wins and a good draw away at Cardiff so personally it's good for me at the minute and the group, it's going really well at the minute and long may it continue," the former Northampton Town man said.
"The more games we're winning, the more confident we're getting. I think it's starting to show in our performances. We're starting to produce much better performances."
"I think I've done well [lately]. I think I've deserved to stay in the team at this minute in time but I've got to keep doing that every week now because there is a lot of competition for places.
"I felt like I've been ready to play for a long time now. I've felt confident and I've felt fit so I've just been patient for my chance and hopefully I'll keep taking it."
In the league, the Stags picked up 10 points from a possible 12 over the festive period and following last weekend's marvellous display against Championship side Cardiff City in the FA Cup, Potter commented on the positivity within the Stags' dressing room.
"I felt like I've been ready to play for a long time now. I've felt confident and I've felt fit so I've just been patient for my chance and hopefully I'll keep taking it."
"Coming into work every day, everybody's buzzing! I've been at teams when things aren't going too well and sometimes coming into training is a bit of a drag but at the minute I can't wait to get in every day.
"I still think there's more to come from us, we've been a bit slow at getting started sometimes but now you're starting to see us click and I think we'll go from strength to strength as the season goes on."
Potter also believes that the support of the club's fans and the backing of the coaching staff helps to keep standards high in training and on matchdays.
"When the fans turn up and back us and you get the backing from all the coaching staff, that breathes confidence as well.
"The results play a massive part [in building confidence] but also the feeling you get from the fans does. When they're happy, we're more confident."
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