Doncaster Rovers v Lincoln City - Imps not top by accident, warns Darren Moore

DARREN Moore sees no need for Doncaster Rovers to dramatically change their approach as they welcome League One leaders Lincoln City to the Keepmoat Stadium this afternoon.
Taylor Richards: Set to return.  Picture: Bruce RollinsonTaylor Richards: Set to return.  Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Taylor Richards: Set to return. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Rovers enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, picking up 13 points from their opening six games, averaging just over two goals every 90 minutes.

However, it has been a frustrating week for Moore’s side who lost back-to-back games against Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With their season just eight fixtures old, Doncaster are still well within touching distance of the top six.

They have never lost three league games in a row under Moore, who believes their recent defeats were down to a lack of focus. It leaves him with an easy fix as they face the Imps, who have won seven of their nine matches this term.

“Up until the last couple of games, our season has been outstanding,” said Moore.

“It is not about throwing the toys out after two games, it is about continuing what we have done well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It has just been lapses of concentration that have cost us, dearly, at both ends of the pitch.”

Doncaster Rovers' manager Darren Moore: Expects tough test.Doncaster Rovers' manager Darren Moore: Expects tough test.
Doncaster Rovers' manager Darren Moore: Expects tough test.

He continued: “There were parts to our game, in both matches, that made us feel like we did enough to come away with something.

“The fact of the matter is that we haven’t come out with anything so it is about working on the training ground to fix that.

“The performances have been there and we have performed to the level I have expected but it is about keeping mentally active now.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lincoln’s only defeat of the campaign came against Bristol Rovers on October 10.

Since then, they have won three of their last four games and not conceded a goal for 360 minutes.

Doncaster won 2-1 when the sides met at the beginning of the curtailed 2019-20 season, with the reverse fixture never played after the EFL made the decision to end the last campaign early because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Imps have conceded just five goals in nine games and Moore insists his team needs to be at their “absolute best” to get a positive result.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The league table doesn’t lie, it is as simple as that, they are there because they deserve to be there,” said Moore.

“They have started the season very, very well and maintained that form, confidence is high for them.

“They are playing at the top level of their game and they possess a huge threat. They are not at the table of the table by accident.

“There are always players looking to support the man with the ball. It is a great game for us, the league leaders coming into town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Games against Lincoln have always been good for the club, I expect the same on Saturday as well.

“We know we are going to have to be at our absolute best to get anything from the game.”

He added: “They are a team very much in the ascendancy and know their jobs inside and out. They are on the real crest of a wave at the moment.

“They are playing some excellent football and keeping games tight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is a real stern test for us on Saturday. It is a really exciting league this season. If we want to get anything from the game we have got to be really, really good.”

The League One table is already starting to take shape and Moore feels the sides in and around Doncaster right now will be the ones challenging for a place in the play-offs.

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats, Rovers are just three points behind sixth-placed Charlton and have played one game fewer than the majority of teams above them.

“You usually say that after 10 or 12 games you can surmise where teams are going to be at,” said Moore when assessing the early league table.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“At this point, teams are still usually finding their feet and settling down but this season it has come about quicker because of the fixture list, with the quick turnaround of matches.

“Maybe there are still one or two teams getting to grips with the demands of it.

“We have had a fair share of injuries early doors and, looking at it, we have been relatively happy with the solid start we have had.

“The last couple of games have been quite mixed.

“I would like to give it a few more weeks but the table is starting to take shape but I never look at the league table because it is all about us at Doncaster Rovers and putting our energy into the next fixture.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Moore is hopeful that midfield duo Madger Gomes and Taylor Richards will be in contention to face Lincoln today.

Both players missed the trip to Plymouth on Tuesday night while Richards was also absent for the loss against Crewe. Neither player is thought to be seriously injured.

Imps manager Michael Appleton is likely to be without midfielder and captain Liam Bridcutt, who is struggling with a thigh injury. He was absent as Lincoln won 1-0 at Crewe on Tuesday night.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.