Coventry v Doncaster: Dickov confident that Rovers can regain form

Rovers head into today’s game at Coventry on the back of a run of one win in six matches, which has dropped them to 12th place, but the never-say-die characteristics that Dickov possessed as a player are just as prevalent in him as a manager.

His confidence is not borne out of sheer optimism either, more his side’s impressive run of one league defeat in 11 from just before Christmas to February 21, with Dickov now seeking a reprise.

He said: “The thing I am confident about is I know these group of players can go on a run, I know there’s a lot of talent there.

“There’s a real determination to put things right. They have got nothing to lose; there’s nine games left and 27 points to play for and the last thing they want is to get to the end of the season after that.

“I have said to the group and to them as individuals ‘don’t have any regrets’. I have told them to go out there and give everything they can and if it’s not quite to be at the end, at least they will know they have given their all.

“But if we play as we can in every single game, we’ll be right in the mix.”

Dickov has consistently spoken about being happy to be within sight of the play-offs going into the final definitive weeks of the season and he is not deviating from that course now and is keeping calm.

Adamant there will be plenty of movement in the table between now and May 3, he added: “If we are in touching distance, I’ll be happy. I don’t think the points tally for the play-offs will be anything near as high as in recent years purely because everyone keeps beating each other.”