Ahead of our meeting with Chesterfield live on BT Sport this Saturday, Michael Doyle is hoping for a repeat of the scenes from our victory over Mansfield in February.
We ended a 14-year wait for a win in the Nottinghamshire Derby with a 1-0 Meadow Lane success earlier in 2019 and we’ll be looking for another triumph against local rivals at the weekend.
Doyle has fond memories of the victory against the Stags and wants to give our travelling supporters a similar experience at the Proact Stadium.
“It’s a derby, and you saw the performance we put in against Mansfield to end the long run without winning against them,” said the skipper.
“I remember being on the pitch afterwards and how great the celebrations were, so we’re looking to replicate that at Chesterfield.
“When you take a big following like we are going to, it’s important that you reward them and we want the feeling we had after the Mansfield game again.
“The chance to celebrate with our fans and earn the bragging rights means all the incentives are there and, if we continue performing the way we have, we’ll be confident of getting a result.”
We’re unbeaten in six matches in all competitions and the Irishman says the drive in the squad gives the players hope of achieving their aims for this campaign.
“A lot of the lads who have come in want to get promoted,” Doyle revealed. “That’s their mindset and it’s what drives everyone because we want to do well.
“People want to prove themselves. They’re fit, raring to go, putting their bodies on the line and producing good numbers physically, which is what you need.
“All the highs in my career have been promotions and, in those seasons, the players have always driven things to meet the demands of the staff.
“I feel we have those sorts of characters here. There are four or five demanding from each other and that creates the determination in training, which comes out on a Saturday.
“We have all the things you need to be a success.”
Having served two suspensions this season, Doyle is eager to put things right throughout the remainder of the campaign.
“I let down the team and everyone involved, which is the hardest thing of all,” he admitted.
“It’s disappointing and frustrating not to be playing, but you have to look at yourself because there is no one else to blame.
“You have to work your way back up because you are at the bottom of the pile for putting yourself in that situation.
“I had to make sure I was ready to take the opportunity to come back into the team when it arose, and I’ve been happy with how I’ve performed.
“I don’t plan to give up the jersey again now – I’ve missed enough games.”