Doncaster Rovers v Gillingham: Points the priority for Darren Ferguson
In an ideal world, the Rovers chief will get both a positive result and performance, but with his pragmatic managerial ‘head’ firmly on, points are the overwhelming priority.
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Hide AdOn the opening day of last term, Ferguson suffered frustration after watching his Rovers side dominate the second half of their first game at Accrington, only to succumb to a late goal from Sean McConville and lose 3-2.
With Rovers having moved up a level and desperate to make a quick impact in League One, allied to the fact that they also kick off at home, Ferguson would take a victory, however he gets it.
He said: “In the opening game of the season, every club and team goes into it with real optimism thinking that they can have a really good season.
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Hide Ad“The first game of the season is a funny one as I do not think it is so much about the performance, but getting the result to try and kick-start your season.
“But, hopefully, we can get both and go into it in a confident mood and want to go well at home as we did last season.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson remains hopeful that transfer-listed midfielder Harry Middleton will be able to get fixed up with a club once the season gets underway.
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Hide AdOn Middleton still being at Rovers, despite being placed on the transfer list in May along with several other players, Ferguson added: “I am quite surprised, as he has played quite a few games now.
“But what you will find is that once the season starts, people may get injuries and clubs may not start as they had hoped.
“But I think we are still hopeful that it will happen (for Middleton).”