Danny Schofield insists the focus is on building form and momentum as Rovers welcome National League North side King’s Lynn Town in The Emirates FA Cup this weekend.
Rovers host the on-form Norfolk outfit in the first round tie on Saturday and head coach Schofield says the approach will be nothing but professional as he looks to build on his first win in charge.
Schofield on how he will approach the cup tie:
“This is the most important game of our season now - the next game always is.
“We want to go as far as we can in the FA Cup. I’ll be picking the starting XI and the substitutes on past form, the way they’ve been performing in training and how I feel their profile can compete best against King’s Lynn.
“I’m just focused not on the financial gain of winning football matches but on building form and momentum and trying to get the team winning as many games of football.”
On the challenge of facing an opposition team with nothing to lose:
“Every game poses different types of challenges. That’s the beauty of the FA Cup - you get teams mixed together from all across the leagues - and I’m a big advocate of the competition. I loved it as a kid growing up and I love it now. It provides a lot of excitement.
“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge. We’re fully focused, everyone is professional and everyone is fully prepared to compete and try to win this game.”
On the potential for a cup run to galvanise supporters:
“I think winning football games definitely helps to do that and lift the spirits and instil belief in supporters, players, staff and the whole city.
“The FA Cup can do a whole lot for that. It’s a big competition. Supporters in general love it and we’re no different at Doncaster.”
On Adam Long and Luke Molyneux’s availability and Tommy Rowe’s return:
“They’re both back in training. They came out of the game unscathed. They didn’t train for the first couple of days this week but they’re both available for selection.
“I don’t think Tommy Rowe is too far away. He’s potentially ten to 12 days.
“I’ve been speaking to him and Michael McBride the physio, keeping tabs on him and the work he’s doing.
“He’s an important part of our squad and our club and we need him back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
On building on his first win as Rovers head coach and what he’s learned so far:
“It was a really good moment and I think the performances over the three games have been really positive. To get that first win was really pleasing and well deserved.
“The players are willing to learn, they’re very open-minded. They’re hard-working and want to be the best footballers they can be, which is a great start.
“Their attitude and application in every training session and every game has been first class so they’ve been a joy for me to work with.”
On implementing his style on the team:
“I think things like that take time. We've got a clear vision of how you see football being played, which is obviously aligned with the club.
“We try to aim for perfection every day on the training field and we try to aim for perfection every time we step onto the pitch when we compete in games.
“We know we can’t achieve perfection but as long as we are trying to move towards it and trying to play our way of football which we feel can win games, we know progress is being made.”