Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has stressed the importance of character in Derby County’s squad as they get ready for the start of the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship season.
The Rams’ attacker spent time on international duty with Guatemala last month, featuring in the nation’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, meaning he linked up with the squad a little later than his team-mates for pre-season training.
Derby's fourth pre-season outing will see them head to Sky Bet League One side Shrewsbury Town on Saturday (3pm kick-off) with the new season quickly closing in.
Mendez-Laing spoke to RamsTV at the club's green screen media day on Friday to discuss the build-up to the season and his experience on international duty during the summer.
On the green screen day and the start of the season…
I can't wait to get going! Some of the lads love this day, but it shows that the season's close and we're looking forward to it. You can see James Collins; he's had a fresh haircut. He loves being in front of the camera and stuff! You've got Jerry Yates. Jerry said he's got a few moves for the green screen, so we'll see if he really does. It's all good fun and a bit of banter starts going around the dressing room. The lads start to decide what they're going to do and how they're going to have their hair and things like that!
On how he’s feeling after a tough pre-season regime…
It's been tough, but we need it. I think it's hard to try to get the body to feel fresh when you're constantly trying to get fitter and fitter and fitter. There have been a lot of double sessions.
The day after a game, we're still training, which is very tough. It is a case of replicating the fatigue that you'll get from games into your legs from now. It is tough, but it's been an enjoyable pre-season so far and we've got another couple of weeks to get fitter.
On his time away with Guatemala ahead of pre-season…
It was a tough one because we had a couple of weeks after the season where we deservedly we celebrated and enjoyed getting promoted. In the back of my mind, I had those important World Cup qualifiers coming up. It was trying to find a balance there.
I was away with Guatemala for three weeks. After that I needed to let my hair down and relax with my family, but knowing that I had to come back to pre-season. You've still got runs to be keeping up with. We had successful games and I feel I got to pre-season in pretty good nick.
On how the new boys are settling into the group…
I think they've settled in really well. We've made some great additions, great characters, some leaders and I think some great players also. Everyone's gelling together. I think you could see on the field against Chesterfield on Wednesday that we're still learning about each other, and trying to adapt. I'm excited for the season ahead with this group of players.
On needing to have personality in the dressing room…
Yes, I'd say so. As I said, there are a lot of characters in the squad, different characters, and I think the gaffer is very good when it comes to picking people to be in a changing room, not just players on the field. It's important for us to build that chemistry between us. I can't tell you somebody who's come in and been like a bad egg, ever, with the gaffer. We've got a great squad and hopefully; we can do something good this season.
On the final three friendlies before the season starts…
I think Shrewsbury is about game minutes, again. We had 70 to 20 minutes the other day at Chesterfield, so I assume it will be another 70 to 20 minutes on Saturday. In the final two friendlies after that, I think we'll be building towards the season and probably looking more closely at the formation and shape, whichever that's going to be and whatnot.
