Teenage striker hoping he can force his way in for trio of local derbies.
Liam Mandeville was hoping that his first senior goal for Doncaster Rovers could act as the catalyst for a first league start.The eighteen year old forward came off the bench in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Walsall to rifle home a 20 yard strike and provide food for thought for manager Darren Ferguson.
“He’s definitely made me improve my standards because I did let them slip for a while,” Mandeville said of Ferguson’s demands.
“I’m trying to improve all the time and hopefully I can make a few more appearances and a few more goals.
“He’s shown that he’ll give youngsters an opportunity so you have to try and take it when it comes your way.”
Rovers travel to rivals Scunthorpe at the weekend ahead of a “massive trio” of local derbies but talk of the play-offs has, for now, subsided according the youngster who was one of three academy products to end Tuesday's game.
“We have to take each game as it comes and get as many wins as possible, get as high as we can but there’s no talk of the play-offs,” said Mandeville.
“There’s three massive games coming up and we need to get as many points on the table as possible.
“Getting in the side is always the aim, you’re always fighting for a place in the team but I’ll bide my time.”