MILLWALL midfielder Ed Upson says the atmosphere at the club is “totally different” to what it was earlier in the season.
Upson missed seven games with a knee injury he sustained against Peterborough before returning to the first team as a substitute in the 5-3 JPT win over Plymouth last week.
The Lions began their current eight-game unbeaten run during his spell in the treatment room and Upson senses the mood is far more upbeat than it was at the end of August when they were struggling near the foot of the League One table.
He also believes that the recent spell of good form is breeding confidence in the squad and reinforcing the tightness of the group.
“The atmosphere is totally different now,” Upson said. “Obviously when you’re losing it’s not going to be good, but we’ve picked up some results and everyone’s positive, in a happy mood and having a laugh. That’s how you want it coming into work every day.
“I think we stick together. We’ve got the right players and the right mentality.
“We’ll have little bad spells in patches in games but it’s about staying positive. It’s more about mentality because we know we’ve got the quality.
“We’ve got such a tight-knit group of lads, everyone’s nice to each other and friendly, at the right times, obviously.
“It was about tweaking the mindset. Winning games strengthens that mentality meaning you go into every game confident you can win every time. A winning mentality is the confidence to know that you can do that.”
Upson recognises he faces a battle to reclaim his place in the side with George Saville having established himself as an automatic selection in central midfield and Aiden O’Brien and Shane Ferguson excelling on the flanks.
“I’ll just train as hard as I always do and try and show my ability,” Upson vowed. “We are a good team so it’s about being patient.”