Manager talks to the media prior to Rovers' first fixture in a fortnight.
Paul Dickov addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s first ever trip to Fleetwood in a relaxed mood.The Scot faces fellow countryman Graham Alexander and says he has no problem with his players putting pressure on themselves to achieve a play off spot in League 1 this term.
“I want to aim for the top six and get promotion but we have to be realistic as well,” he said.
“We believe if we keep our players fit and get consistent performances then we won’t be far off. I’ve got no problem with players coming out and saying that because I keep telling them to have belief in themselves.
“If they’re coming out and saying that, then they’ve got to back it up and that’s good for me.”
Dickov also said that he is ready to throw himself in to the hectic schedule in the run up to Christmas.
“I’m buzzing and I’ve said it all along that it’s difficult when you lose and great when you win but I love my job here,” he said.
“I’m working for good people above me and I’ve got a good relationship with the players and the media around the club, so I’m a lucky boy.
“It [the fixture list] is something that we’ve got an eye on but we know too well that you can’t look too far ahead. You know you’ve got to play the games in this league in a short space of time and it’s about managing the players correctly. If they need rest time, we’ll give it to them. Games that come thick and fast are easy to negate when you’re winning though.”
Rovers’ recent run of three wins in their last four outings was only halted by the international break – where Dean Furman and Luke McCullough represented South Africa and Northern Ireland respectively – yet Dickov is guarding against potential complacency.
“Confidence is high which is when you’ve got to be on your guard. Sometimes we’re at our worst when we’ve been at our best so we’ve got to guard because it will be a tough game for us on Saturday.
“Fleetwood are a good team who we’ve had watched so we need to be aware and do what we did in the Burton and Scunthorpe games, which is be hard to beat and then play your football from there because we’re going to have to dig in and do that on Saturday,” he finished.