Jayden Bogle has insisted there’s a good feeling in the Derby County squad as they prepare to tackle a hectic run of fixtures in the Sky Bet Championship over the next few weeks.
The Championship returned to action earlier this month following a three-month suspension due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Derby were in good form prior to the unexpected break in the season and they have returned to action with two wins from two matches.
A 3-2 success at Millwall in their comeback fixture was followed up by a 2-1 victory over Reading at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.
All games are to be played behind-closed-doors for the remainder of the campaign and Phillip Cocu’s side haven’t let that affect them on the pitch.
Derby are three points off a top six spot and from their final seven matches they have to play six teams directly above them in the table.
Defender Bogle, who turns 20 next month, believes the Rams’ squad are relishing the run-in.
Speaking to RamsTV, Bogle said: “There is a good feeling about the place at the moment.
“We have come back from the break in good shape and we are just trying to continue what we did before the season was stopped.
“We are competing against the top teams in the league in our games right now and that’s what we want to be doing.
“I think to be successful you have to stand up against these teams and fight against them.
“We have a great squad with a lot of characters in that will put up a big fight against the top teams that we have to play against."
He added: “We have got a lot of experience in the squad. We showed last season that we can come almost out of nowhere and push on towards the end of the season and get ourselves into the top six.”
Bogle admits playing behind-closed-doors is a unique experience.
The right-back says fans are a massive part of football, especially when it comes to providing and atmosphere and driving the team on, and hopes to have them back in the stands soon.
“It’s different, obviously, because the fans are a major part of football but when you are playing the games, you have just got to get used to it,” he said.
“You just focus on the game and do what you have to do on the pitch. Everyone has adapted really well to it and the results have showed that.
“The fans are a major thing but if it’s the safest way to play games right now, then it has to be done.
“We are hoping to get the supporters back as soon as possible but at the moment we are just having to be focused on playing football and getting results.”
Bogle has made 33 appearances in all competitions for Derby this season, scoring once.