Gaffer content with win over local rivals in Checkatrade Trophy.
Darren Ferguson labelled a 2-0 win over League Two counterparts Mansfield Town in the Chekcatrade Trophy as a job done.
First ever senior strikes from Alfie Besstin – on debut – and Riccardo Calder saw Rovers home; giving the manager a glimpse in to the potential of future first team players.
“I thought second half we were good. First half we did okay, we didn’t play with enough zest in our game, it was a little bit too nice for me and we spoke about that at half time,” he said.
“I expected more of them; I’ve got to be honest, which is a compliment. I could have easily gone in and said that it was fine.
“We looked solid enough, certainly but we just needed a bit more going forward and second half they did that, I thought they were very good.
“For me the future in terms of the players that played tonight is bright. We’ve got a lot of young players, but a lot of good ones and I said that to them at the end that they’ve got trust each other a bit more.”
While Beestin, who signed in the summer from Tadcaster Albion grabbed the headlines, Ferguson was keen to stress how much work he still needs to do.
“He’s a good player, he wanted to run with it too much in the first half and he’s not got the physical strength that the big centre halves he’s playing against have,” said the Scot.
“He needs to pass and move; maybe he needs to beat people in different areas.
“I’ve got high hopes for him and I don’t want to build him up too much – I’ve said that before – but certainly we hope he’s going to be a really good player for us.”
Despite an injury list that tallies in to double figures – which has led to the signing of experienced defender Frazer Richardson – Ferguson was adamant that the Rovers’ fourth win in succession would do no harm.
“It just keeps the momentum going, its four wins on the bounce. It’s a fantastic thing, that habit of winning can become a habit,” he said.
“You saw last year where it was the opposite – a habit of losing – the mentality is now that we’ve got to keep winning and take the momentum.
“We’ve got a really though game on Saturday (against Crewe Alexandra). We’ve got rest in to the players we wanted to but certainly the ones who’ve played have done themselves no harm.
“We’ve brought Frazer Richardson in on a short term deal and he’ll do fine for us. He’s got good experience, played 25 games in the Championship (last season).
“I think we were a little fortunate to get him but he was keen when I spoke to him on Sunday, he beds in really well, he’s trained, he’s a good lad and a good pro. Maybe at this moment in time, it’s the bit of experience we need.”