Gaffer fully focussed on notching maiden league win for 15/16.
Paul Dickov has said that there is a “feel good factor” surrounding Doncaster Rovers at the moment.Rovers face newly promoted Southend United at Keepmoat Stadium looking for their first league win of the season after encouraging draws against Bury and Wigan.
“The pleasing thing from my point of view is that the players are really happy with how we’re playing, the structure and the fact that we’ve had a settled pre season behind us,” said Dickov.
“The one thing we’ve got, and it’s been apparent to teams around us, is the close knit feel around the club.
“There’s a feel good factor about the place, the fans were magnificent again and what we have to do is make sure we keep that going by getting a result on Wednesday night.”
The Scot also lauded the introduction of countryman Gary MacKenzie in to the fold after his debut in the 0-0 draw with the Latics on Sunday.
“I thought he was fantastic to say that was his first game. He didn’t have much game time in pre season. He’s a big old unit but he’s very calm and assured on the ball and very aggressive without it,” he said.
“He and Andy (Butler) were excellent because Will Grigg is a handful at the best of times. Gary has this tendency to make the game look a bit easier than it is with the experience that he’s got.
“He gets us playing from the back and what we’ve got to do is make sure that we keep him and the other defenders fit.”
Dickov, despite a few injury worries, won’t be pressed in to making any loans prior to being reacquainted with former sidekick Brian Horton who is now on the Shrimpers back room staff.
“With people getting so close to fitness, the one thing we’ve tried to stay away from – although it’s inevitable – is getting in several loan players. We’re very aware of how close the group is, how hard they work for each other, how much they pull each other through and we don’t want to upset that by bringing in short term loans which is what’s happened previously," he said.
“Richard Chaplow has trained fully, Rob Jones didn’t as he’s got a niggle at the back of his knee which is nothing serious but he will be out for a couple of days. Paul Keegan and Dany N’Guessan, we’re looking to get back on the training pitch by the end of the week.
“The one thing about Chaplow is that he’s a top professional who is naturally very fit. We saw that in pre season and he looks after his body really well and I’d have no qualms about having to start him.
“They (Southend) have had decent performances. They got a decent point at Fleetwood and were unlucky against Brighton in the cup before not the best of results (a 2-0 loss at home to Walsall) on Saturday. Phil Brown and Brian Horton will be looking to them for a reaction. I’ve seen Phil’s comments that they’re perhaps a little too easy to play against and I guarantee it won’t be that easy on the night.
“Phil is a positive and forward thinking manager and get that result out of their system but we concentrate on us and how we want to play. Yes, we’ll take a look at the opposition and the videos but the way we are at the minute and he feeling I’ve got about the group means that we stick to what we do.”