No room for sentiment as gaffer faces former club.
Rovers manager Paul Dickov has said that he faces “big decisions” when his side return to the Keepmoat Stadium to face his former employers, Oldham Athletic.The Scot was at the Boundary Park helm for over two and a half years and was best remembered for leading the Latics to a famous FA Cup fourth round win over Liverpool, but he said he’s treating the fixture no differently.
“Oldham are a club that I always look out for and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they provided me with,” he said.
“They are a great club and I had a good relationship with all the fans there as well. It’s definitely a game I’m looking forward to as a manger but no more than any other. I want to win every game and this is no different.
“Oldham are a good team. People are looking at their current league position and the fact that they’ve only picked up two points, but their performances have been much better. We have to make sure that we are really at it.”
Dickov’s men go in to the game off the back of two strong away wins against Colchester and Watford in the League and Capital One Cup respectively and will be looking to get the first home win of the season when the likes of Harry Forrester, Rob Jones and Jamie McCombe return.
“There are big decisions to make after the win at Watford midweek. We’ve spoken to the players and told them if they’re not in the starting lineup for one game, not to get too disheartened,” said Dickov.
“One thing that is particularly pleasing is the togetherness that we have in the squad. It’s been fantastic recently. We still want the guys who are not picked for the team to have a good attitude because if they do that then they will get their chance.
“We’ve had 7 games in August alone; everyone is going to be needed so its important enthusiasm levels are kept as high as they are at the moment.
“Our away form has been terrific in the first four games and now we need to convert that into home performances.
“Performance wise we aren’t quite where I want to be but we are improving all the time and I think that’s evident. It’s important we carry our form into the Oldham game.”