Pre-Match Thoughts: Mendez-Laing Previews MK Dons Clash

Derby County winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is looking forward to the return to Sky Bet League One action after a short break for cup competitions.

The Rams travel to MK Dons on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off), following the recent Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup ties against Torquay United and Liverpool, and know that three points could see them jump into a play-off place.

Mendez-Laing sat down with RamsTV on Friday to preview the trip to Stadium MK, with the Rams set to be backed by around 6,500 supporters.

On the Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool…

It was unbelievable, not just for me but for a lot of the young lads as well. It was great for the club and the supporters. The atmosphere was unbelievable and it was just an all round good evening to draw 0-0 and take it to penalties.

The performance was very professional. We had to be disciplined and I thought we played when we needed to. We held our shape well and credit to Joe Wildsmith because he was unbelievable in goal. It gives us confidence going into the league against MK Dons on Saturday.

It’s the standard now, we went to Anfield and were able to do that so there’s no reason why we can’t go anywhere and do the same.

On the travelling support…

We owe it to the supporters to put on a performance for what they have done for us this season. It will be rocking in the away end on Saturday and hopefully we get those three points.

It’s nice to have a song from the fans for me, but I just hope they don’t sing it when my daughter is there! I’ve got a great relationship with the fans and I try and get back to as many of them on social media as I can, so hopefully that continues.

On the fixture congestion…

It’s tough. The travelling does build up but we’ve got unbelievable facilities here, so there’s no excuses. I’ve been at clubs where there’s no swimming pools or jacuzzi, and all the rest of it, so there’s no excuses - but it is tough.

It’s hard being away from the family but it’s part of the game, it’s the game we chose and we’ve got to get on with it.

On MK Dons…

We’re all focused on Saturday. Three points is the target. We’ve just been out to train and worked on them, we’ve got a game plan and we need to execute it.

I’ve come up against them a few times, they are a good footballing team but I think with the way we play, we have to believe that we have got a good chance of going there and doing something.