NorthEast United FC travel to the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday to meet hosts Jamshedpur FC in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18. The league debutants are on a good run of form, having picked up four victories in their last five encounters and another win will see them consolidating their position in the top four. Jamshedpur’s Brazilian midfielder Memo has been highly influential in the midfield, stringing passes together and breaking down opponent attacks. On the eve of the weekend’s first fixture, indiansuperleague.com caught up with the 30-year-old for his views on the club, the season and more. Here are the excerpts.

It’s Jamshedpur’s first season in Hero ISL. How has the experience been with your new teammates?

It’s a new team and I already knew that we would face some difficult stuff. But the mentality of the players are very good and I like it a lot. From now, we just have to keep working hard to succeed and enter the playoffs.

Your thoughts on Jamshedpur as a city and the football culture here?

I love the city and I am in love with the fans. They’re very nice people and they treat us very well. The only way to be grateful to them is by playing a good game and getting the team to the playoffs.

Jamshedpur are on a good run of form. What has been the driving force behind that?

It was very nice to be there in those games. For me, the mentality of the team is very good and that’s why we got there. It’s very difficult to get there in the playoffs, but the mentality of the players are always to work hard and be like a unit and a family to get to the playoffs.

How has Wellington Priori’s arrival bettered the team?

It was good that he came here, not because he’s a Brazilian but because he is a good player. He is a good addition to the team, a good player for the team and he comes with a little bit of experience also. It helped the team get in a position they are in now.

How has your experience been working under Steve Coppell?

My job is to come to train, work very hard and represent myself. I think, the reason he played me in every match is because he sees that I am working very hard every day. About him as a person, he’s a very good coach and more than a coach, he’s a father to me because sometimes he comes to me to give some opinions. The only way to be grateful to him is to go to the pitch and give my best and help the team.

It’s a crucial phase in the league, so how is the mood in the camp like?

The mindset in the group is like we are going to the final. Now, every game is like a final. We are very confident in ourselves and we’re working very hard. And I think, this confidence will get us in the playoffs.

How important is the game against NorthEast?

This game will be very very important for us. If we get this win, we go one more step closer and it will be very important to us in the run-in to the playoffs. We are very focused and we will go all out to get the three points.