Grant McCann believes Rovers will be ready for a strong test at Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day.
Rovers are unbeaten in six games in Sky Bet League One, leaving them outside of the play-off places on goal difference.
He said: “We know what type of game to expect, we’re in a good position but there is a lot of improvement in us.
“The fitness of the group is improving as the season goes on, we’re doing a lot of work with the players to make sure we have a really good second half of the season.
“I’m sure Joey Barton will have hoped to have been higher up the table than where they are but they have some very dangerous players.”
The reverse fixture between the two sides saw the Cod Army come out on top, but McCann feels his side have improved in the time between the two games.
He added: “We played better than the score-line suggested on the day, we conceded sloppy goals from set-pieces which we weren’t happy with.
“We’re going into the game remembering how frustrated we felt after that result and looking to give a good account of ourselves.”