Doncaster Rovers still a work in progress, says Brighton’s Taylor Richards

Tuesday’s first-half performance against in-form Blackpool was poor and plodding, and Rovers could have few complaints at going into the Keepmoat Stadium dressing room 2-0 down.

But they turned it around in the second period to win 3-2.

Like many in the squad, Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Richards has been loaned to Doncaster to learn the game and he played an important part on Tuesday, coming off the bench at half-time and setting up Reece James’s equaliser within eight minutes.

“I feel like it’s a young team and all the older players are helping us to get used to it,” said the 19-year-old.

“I’m not used to playing first-team football, this is my first loan so they’re helping a lot. But I feel like the consistency will come once we get going.

“The gaffer was saying some of the so-called lower teams we’re not picking up points against, but I feel like it’s concentration and I feel like it will come.

“I’ve never had a Saturday-Tuesday schedule but that’s why we’ve got so many good players, so it’s easy to rotate. You’ve got to give 100 per cent and you’ll get your rest with the rotation.”

Richards and Matt Smith, on loan from Manchester City, have both been used in the hole by manager Darren Moore at times this season, but against Blackpool they worked well together, with the former slightly deeper.

“Matty’s a very good player, all the good midfielders are,” said Richards. “I played with Matty when I was at Man City so I know what he’s about. He’s a good lad and I feel like whenever the gaffer picks the team, it’s the right one so whoever’s asked to play, whether it be Matty, me, Ben (Whiteman) or Madger (Gomes), I feel like we all do a good job together.

“I feel like all the midfielders can play in different positions, we can all play deeper or higher.

“It’s just having an understanding of the position you’re asked to play in and what the gaffer wants you to do.”

“It’s tactical as well and sometimes what he needs of us might suit Matty more than me.”

Winning in the manner they did meant Doncaster were able to pick up the three points and some valuable lessons as they look to reproduce some of their outstanding performances this season more consistently to challenge for the promotion that at their best they look well capable of.

Perhaps that inconsistency is inevitable from a young squad, but Moore is determined to iron it out.

“I have a desire within me to get these younger players ready to show they can perform irrespective of the level of club they’ve come from,” he commented. “What they have to learn about is getting the consistency. That’s what’s needed.

“The message will have been clear from Tuesday’s first half showing to the second half, what it takes. You can only hope they learn from it and I’m sure they will not just for here at Doncaster, for their careers.

“When we’ve gone behind we haven’t moped or sloped.

“It’s a good ingredient to not know when you’re beaten.

“It’s a game for me to look back on and analyse and find where we need to get better. There’s massive learning from it.

“What happened in the first half happened but the second half was a good showing and we’ll move on from that.”

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