Manager Dean Saunders spoke to Rovers Player ahead of tonight’s game against Oldham Athletic (7.45pm).
Dean admitted that the phenomenal form shown away from home has overshadowed the games played at the Keepmoat Stadium.
“It’s because our away record has been so good that our home record doesn’t look as good. I think if we win this game we will be in the top eight for home records too - We’ve won eight games at home already this season, counting the three cup games, and we’re only in November.
“We’ve got to keep things going, things are going well but you can’t take your eye off the ball – we’ve got to keep doing all the defensive work that we have been doing and not start thinking that we are better than we are.
The team has benefitted from the hard work put in by the backroom staff none more so than the physio department, and Dean went on record to praise the work that they are doing to ensure the players stay injury free.
“Our medical bill has been reduced from £143,000 last year, which was the highest in the league, to £2,000 so far this year.
“Credit has to go to Mal Purchase and Alex Dalton in the physio department, and club doctor Tim Douglas. We manage to keep everyone fit and that’s not by luck, it’s the way we go about things. By not overtraining the players, making sure they’re hydrated, making sure they’re recovering properly after games and making sure they’re getting the right treatment so when they come back into training after they’ve been injured they’re ready.”
Looking ahead to the game, Dean admitted it will be a tough test and but he is hoping the supporters will turn up in numbers, as they did on Saturday against Scunthorpe United, and get behind the team.
“Oldham are a decent team and they’ve got some good players. I worked with Matt Derbyshire at Blackburn so I know that he is a brave player that gets goals.
“They’ve also got Jose Baxter who has scored eight goals already this season so we’re going to have to be careful of what we’re doing. As I said we can’t think we are better than we are, we’re still coming together as a team.
“It will be a really hard game, but we had a big crowd at the game on Saturday and they got behind us which helped, and I’m hoping that they will all turn out against Oldham tonight and do the same.”