Rovers Player caught up with manager Brian Flynn who spoke about the past week and why he feels Rovers are ‘best team in the league’.
Rovers had a free weekend due to scheduled league opponent MK Dons’ FA Cup commitments and Brian admitted that has worked to the team’s advantage.
“We’ve used it to our advantage,” he said
“The players had Saturday and Sunday off which at this stage of the season is vital in terms of resting little niggling injuries they might have and just having a rest in general.”
Rovers, however, did play a behind closed door friendly against Manchester United, at Carrington on Monday, which was a worthwhile exercise in Brian’s eyes.
“At the end of last week I had a call from Manchester United enquiring whether we would like to go across and play a behind closed door friendly to which we duly obliged to - it was a really good exercise
“It turned out really well; it wasn’t planned at the start of the week to have a game, but when an opportunity like that arises you should take it - so many good things came from it.
“Seven players who hadn’t been playing recently got in a full 90 minutes which was so important. Martin Woods has been training with us for the last two or three days so for him to get a game of that nature is perfect – it was well worth the visit.”
When asked whether the break was a good thing or bad, Brian revealed that it was an opportunity for him to get to know the players more in a training environment.
“As a manager and a coach I see it as a two week opportunity to get to know the players even better on the Training Ground. With the practice match yesterday and training this week we’re all geared up and looking forward to Saturday now.
“It’s an important period of the year and they’ve had a mini break which will prove so important.”
Brian’s answer was resolute when asked about targets for the season.
“We’re going for top spot,” he said
“We’re not going to settle for second spot because you might get caught, you won’t get caught if you’re top that’s for certain.
“From day one I’ve said ‘we are the best team in the league’ and I still believe that. I’ve watched every team in the league over a period of seven or eight months. I’ve seen all the strengths and weaknesses of the other teams and it just confirms what I already knew that we are the best team in the division.”
When asked about a points target for the Season, Brian re-iterated that the target was promotion however many points it takes.
“We want promotion however many points it takes.
“Some people say 90 points would do it, I’m led to believe 90 odd points would have just about got a play-off spot last year, you can’t really say how many point would do it – it’s a case of getting the next three points.”