Pre-Match Thoughts: 'There's A Good Atmosphere Around The Place' - Mendez-Laing

Derby County winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing says there's 'a good atmosphere' around Moor Farm Training Ground following Saturday's late 2-1 home win against Bristol Rovers.

Mendez-Laing's 90th minute strike saw the Rams make it three wins in a row in Sky Bet League One and he's hoping the side can replicate last season's dramatics at Vale Park, where they won 2-1 thanks to another late Mendez-Laing strike, to make it four on the spin when they head to Port Vale on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of Tuesday evening's match, Mendez-Laing reflected on his current form, Saturday's win and looked ahead to another tough game under the lights.

On the mood in camp...

There's a good atmosphere around the place. It's always good when you're winning but three on the bounce in the league now is a good starting point for us. We've been trying to put runs together and it's been tough, very stop-start, so it's good but we've got another game Tuesday that we're trying to go and get three points in again.

On things clicking...

In the last interview I did, I said the same thing. I'm not going to say it again, but I hope so. Saturday wasn't one of our best performances but like we said in the changing room after the final whistle, we'd have probably lost or drawn that last year. It shows the character we've got in the dressing room.

On his personal form...

I feel good. Confidence is a massive thing in football and I knew once I got my first goal of the season I'd stop overthinking things in and around the box and I think that is showing now.

On where his confidence comes from...

The be-all-and-end-all is, you start playing well and naturally you take it into the next game. Everyone is going to have dips in form, no matter who you are. When you're scoring and assisting as an attacking player, it just gives you that confidence going into each and every game.

On his goal on Saturday...

Last minute winners are unbelievable. I think I gave the free-kick away for their goal too so it was a great feeling to grab the winner.

On the win Port Vale last season...

It's one that will live long in the memory. We created so many chances and it felt like one of those days when it wasn't going in. The scenes after the winning goal, still watching it now gives me goosebumps and hopefully we can go and replicate that again.

On keeping momentum going...

I think we just need to keep doing the same things. The lads are all working hard, pressing together and helping each other out. We are playing forward and with confidence so we need to keep doing what we're doing and being ruthless in front of goal.