Gary McSheffrey has challenged his Rovers squad to deliver consistency as they head to Rochdale in Sky Bet League Two this weekend.
A difficult run of results was ended with consecutive victories and McSheffrey has urged his players to show they are clear of their wobble with a strong performance at the Crown Oil Arena.
On building on the win over Crawley Town:
“We want to build on what we’ve done in the last couple of games and keep the consistency there. That’s our intention.
“It’s not about putting too much pressure on the lads but can they build consistency and go on a run.
“We had a tough couple of weeks and it’s about how you bounce back. We just want to stay consistent with it but we’ve bounced back well in two games.”
On convincing people that Rovers can achieve their goals this season:
“You’re always going to have your doubters but you have to go out to entertain and try to win football games which is what we do.
“You prove people wrong with consistency and we just need to keep a consistent level of performance and keep winning games. That’s how you change the minds of the doubters.
“We know we’re working hard and preparing the team well and as long as I know that, my conscience is fine and I can sleep at night.
“People aren’t going to be happy all the time. We had a sticky patch, we held our hands up and we deal with it. It’s how we bounced back from it that’s important.”
On talks involving players and staff following the runs of defeat:
“Sometimes it’s good to get things out in the open and if anyone has a problem, they have the opportunity to talk.
“It was nothing over the top. We had good honest, constructive conversations. Has it worked? So far.
“But the only way it works is if you build consistency and good habits. That’s what we try to do - continue with good habits and continue with the good training, preparations, messages.
“Then it’s down to the players once they go over the white line and how they perform.”
On the switch to a two-man front line:
“It worked at Lincoln away after the hour when we brought George [Miller] on to partner Kieran [Agard].
“It helps George because is he really an out-and-out number nine that plays up on his own? It depends on the service he gets but he does look better with a partner.
“It’s been difficult to do that because Josh Andrews has been injured and Reo Griffiths too. Kieran came back from an injury in the summer. You have to nurse them and make sure you’ve got a two that you can use.
“That has been the difficulty, getting two on the pitch. Reo [Griffiths] coming back will help us with it.”
On choosing a best XI:
“I think I’m the type of manager that looks to get the best shape or the best squad out of what I’ve got at my disposal.
“If you stick to the same system even when you haven’t got the players to play that way, I don’t think you’re going to get the results you want.
“You have to be adaptable. You need a Plan A but you have to have a Plan B and Plan C as well.
“You’ll probably have good options for a couple of weeks but you’re never far away from picking up a couple of niggles.
“We’ll always welcome more options and welcome the headaches.”
On Kyle Hurst’s start to life at Rovers:
“The boy has got talent, first and foremost, so it’s down to him.
“Then it’s giving him the opportunity to be put on the dancefloor and show what he can do. He’s taken it so far.
“He’s building with confidence and growing in confidence. I’m really pleased that he’s having such an impact.
“He definitely takes the responsibility to get on the football.”
On the test of Rochdale:
“Rochdale have picked up. They’ve won their last two games 1-0 so they have definitely become more structured and organised.
“It’s going to be a tough place to go but we do go there with the confidence that we know we’ve got the players who can win a game of football in this division comfortably.
“If we apply ourselves right and work harder than them, I’d like to think the quality of our players will come through.
“That’s the plan but we respect the opposition of course.”