Gary McSheffrey insists he is only concerned with Rovers delivering a strong performance this weekend as his side comes up against early pacesetters Leyton Orient.
The visitors set a new record points haul for the division over their first ten matches of the campaign before losing against Newport County last weekend.
While acknowledging the tough test Orient will provide, McSheffrey was fully focused on his own team as he spoke to the media in the build-up to Saturday’s fixture.
McSheffrey on the search for a more complete performance:
“We’re striving to get some better performances on a consistent basis and we keep working hard to do that.
“It’d be more of a concern if there weren't points. We try to find solutions when certain players aren’t available. Certain players being available instantly makes us a better team, more comfortable in possession in the building phase.
“We’re a bit erratic with stuff at the minute but we keep working hard to improve and slowly but surely we’ll get some really good players back that will improve us instantly.”
On the challenge of facing Leyton Orient:
“The next game is always a tough game. They’re all tough games in this division.
“They have had a good start but we just focus on ourselves and what we need to do to try to get a win for ourselves.
“They’ve lost their last game of football so they’re coming here on the back of a defeat, although they did play pretty well.
“In this division, anyone can beat anyone. We go into the game to implement our own thing on it and make sure our house is in order.”
On getting a reaction from the squad:
“It wasn’t a great performance and we lost one game of football. We can’t see it as too much of a setback. We won three previously before it, if you include the cup game.
“We need a good response and the lads need to give minimum 100 per cent effort, work hard and get through any difficult periods.”
On the return of Richie Wellens:
“I did my coaching badges with Richie. He’s a nice guy and he’s had a great start.
“We’re just focused on getting our own house in order and hopefully he doesn’t have a good day back at the stadium.”
On the latest injury situation:
“George Miller and Kyle Knoyle are both touch-and-go for the weekend. It’s not a definite yes or no and we’ll give them as much time as they need.
“Joseph Olowu, we’re hopeful he won’t need surgery but it’s going to be a six week stint out. Hopefully then he’ll be back with a mask. He’s got some swelling to get down first but we’re hopeful.
“Tom Anderson is training with the group. The plan was the Barnsley game in the Papa John’s Trophy and he’s still on track for that. He’ll training again on Friday and we’ll see from there.
“It’ll be based on symptoms with Tommy Rowe. He’s done some running but he’s still feeling a niggle on it. We’re just going to have to wait to see how he improves.
“There’s a few players that are touch and go. There’s no one definitely back. We’ll work with a similar squad to Tuesday and hope a few more can be back.”
On Bobby Faulkner’s progress:
“He has been starting and we have to be aware that we can’t be too heavily reliant on him. There is a lot of development in him still and a lot of things he needs to improve on.
“We love what he’s good at but there are lots of areas he needs to develop in his game.
“It’s important that we dip him out when he needs it.
“He’s been a plus point, that’s for sure. He;s a great lad.
“When I took him into the youth team he was a boy in a man’s body, in his mannerisms, how he interacts, his politeness, his eagerness to learn, his work ethic. He collects all the poles and mannequins after training.
“His feet are well and truly on the ground. He’s a delight to work with.”
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