Doncaster Rovers v Reading: Grant McCann opens up on personal motivation against Royals
GRANT McCANN'S motivation to see his Doncaster Rovers side win today is not exclusively down to the fact that three points would rubber-stamp League One safety.
It has a personal element.
Five days ago, the Rovers supporters who made the long Bank Holiday Monday trip to Exeter City let their feelings be known in no uncertain terms at the final whistle by booing players and staff following a painful 3-0 defeat at St James Park.
Several choice words of invective were thrown in as well.
McCann felt the hurt acutely, which has inspired him - and hopefully his players - to flip things around by 5pm this afternoon.
At the end of today's game, a cathartic moment in front of a rather more pleased Doncaster faithful would do nicely.
McCann, who admitted to 'rattling a few cages' in a team meeting on Tuesday morning, said: "The mindset needs to switch to 'I've trained well this week, I need to perform well now'.
"I include everybody - myself and my staff - to go and put a real performance on that our fans can appreciate and clap us off the pitch instead of booing us off. That would be a real good aim for myself."
A victory would enable McCann to start preparations for next season in earnest. The Rovers chief is envisaging 'a big summer ahead'.
But first things first after a very disappointing Easter, which saw Rovers lose twice.
McCann continued: "We want to get to a point where we can go and activate that plan, but we need another win out of these five games. I'm hoping it comes on Saturday.
"I'm hoping the players realise what we have put out there in the last two games, particularly the second half against Mansfield and predominantly the whole game against Exeter is nowhere near the levels required and I include myself in that."