Grimsby Town first-team coach Ben Davies is pleased that the work put on by the coaching staff in training is feeding into the team's mentality and believes the squad is in a good place in terms of competition for places.
The positive momentum is certainly present within the Town team after recent results in the league, with the Mariners unbeaten in League Two since their opening day defeat to Leyton Orient.
With Grimsby heading home this weekend to take on Crewe Alexandra after three away league wins in a row, they will now be hoping to record their first home victory against the club they swept aside at Blundell Park in the Carabao Cup last month.
READ MORE: Crewe Alexandra boss aiming to put things right in Grimsby Town league rematch
The team's progression so far this season is by no means down to luck, according to Davies, who works closely with the players and is an integral part of pre-match preparations in his current role.
"The lads just keep going," said Davies. "It's a good trait that they've got which goes back to last season in the play-offs, and it is a good habit that they've got. Their fitness levels are a testament to their hard work on the training pitch.
"The Sutton game was probably the only one where they maybe finished a bit stronger, but other than that, when we get into the last half an hour of games, we come on strong. It is not luck either; fitness levels to maintain that intensity is something we work on and pride ourselves on.
"Pre-season this year was different, especially for the players that were here last season and just had to carry on in terms of maintaining their fitness due to the shorter break.
"However, one of the gaffer's biggest strengths is his recruitment, and we have that competitive environment in the squad now that the players we have seem to relish, but there is also a real togetherness.
"It is over to them now to stake their claim in the team. There will be matchday squads where people who haven't yet been left out will be, especially with one or two players still working their way back to full fitness."
Grimsby Town ready to launch January bid for goal-scoring midfielder from AFC Fylde
Sheffield Wednesday legend Carlton Palmer weighs in on Alex Hunt's Grimsby Town move
Luke Waterfall earns League Two Player of the Month nomination for August after great start
Grimsby Town boast fifth-best defence in the EFL as Paul Hurst instils winning mentality