Manager Grant McCann says a change of focus will be a good thing for his side when they open up their Emirates FA Cup account on Sunday.
Rovers face National League North leaders Chorley at Victory Park in search of a first win in five games, and McCann says the approach will be the same against the sixth tier side as it would be against another team in the league.
“It’s a good time to have a break away from the league just to re-focus and gain a bit of momentum, we’re going out to win first and foremost on Sunday, there’s a big week coming up for the group and that starts with Chorley,” he said.
“Chorley will provide a tough test for us, I’ve seen some of their recent games and they’ve got some very good players, they play in a certain style that will hurt you if you aren’t switched on, so we have to make sure we guard against that.
“We go about the game the same way we would any other, we’ve got an excellent analyst and we’ve done a lot of background work on them too, the preparation will be exactly the same and now we know a lot about them.”
Rovers face non-league opposition for the second season in a row at the first round stage having beaten Ebbsfleet United away last year, and McCann is keen to ensure his side aren’t on the end of an upset this season.
“The FA Cup throws up surprises every season, the message from me to the players will be to make sure we aren’t on the front of the newspaper come Monday morning on the end of an upset, we’re going out to get through to the next round,”
“When you go to a non-league ground in the FA Cup it can always be a bit of a leveller, they’ll be really up for it but so are we, the FA Cup means a lot to me and a lot to our players as well, and I want us to have another good run.
“Everybody is looking for there to be an upset, that’s just how it is in this competition, non-leagues will be going out to beat the big boys at this particular stage, they’ll believe that they can beat us, we just have to get the basics right and make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Tickets for Rovers next home Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon are available via the Club Doncaster Box Office. Purchase yours now by either visiting in-store at the Keepmoat Stadium, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.