Neal Ardley felt Notts County showed all the characteristics they will need throughout the rest of the season during Saturday’s 3-2 win against Tranmere.
The Magpies took the lead three times and were pegged back twice but held on for the win, with Jon Stead (2) and Kane Hemmings on the scoresheet.
And the way Ardley's side responded to the setbacks gave him confidence for the rest of the campaign.
“The fans have seen their team fight, scrap and show nous towards the end,” he said. “They are the qualities we will need to show this season.
“We took the lead and then conceded, then did the same again, but we came back and got the third goal and saw the remaining minutes out well.
“There is an element of relief to secure the win because it was all about three points today and the fans were brilliant.”
Ardley was also impressed with his side's attacking play.
“We had a really good threat going forwards,” he said. “Even before the goals we had some great chances.
“It was excellent to see the strikers getting on the scoresheet and Nathan Thomas could have got one as well.
“We have attacking players that know how to score goals so we just need to ensure we create chances for them.”
The gaffer is not resting on his laurels, though, and his focus has already switched to next week.
Ardley said: “We know there’s things we still have to work on and we need to pick up points at Grimsby as well.
“My job is to help the players believe that if we work together we can achieve our goals.
“We need to maintain the aggressive mentality and keep working hard so that we pick up more points before Christmas.”