Darren Moore is not getting carried away as Doncaster close in on play-offs

Posted Wednesday, January 08, 2020 by PA

Doncaster boss Darren Moore is refusing to get carried away after victory over Shrewsbury took his side within two points of League One’s top six.

Rovers have a backlog of fixtures for a variety of reasons and still hold two games in hand over many of their rivals in the division.

In taking care of one such outstanding fixture in comfortable fashion with goals from Niall Ennis and Tom Anderson, Moore’s side took a significant step up the table.

But he insists he is only focused on the next fixture and not where Rovers sit in the pecking order.

“We’re just working from game to game,” Moore said.

“Other people are the ones talking about the stats but for us it’s been all about the next game.

“That is all the players have been focusing on really.

“It was a different type of game. It wasn’t free flowing like the previous game but it was a gritty, determined display.

“Those characteristics are always good to have.

“They’re an honest group and they showed that in so many ways.

“It’ll be a game to look back on and while it probably wasn’t pleasing on the eye, the three points are very rewarding.

“We were plucky, determined, stuck to a game plan and ground out a result.

“It was a difficult game but credit to the players for staying with it and getting each other through the game.

“The boys did not allow them back in the game. We had to head, track runs, stay focused – all those things to earn the win.”

Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts declared the 2-0 defeat an off-night for his side and spoke of his disappointment that they failed to carry momentum from their excellent performance in the FA Cup against Bristol City.

“I think it was just an off night for us,” Ricketts said.

“A lot of people didn’t hit the high standards they have on a number of occasions.

“Every three points makes a massive difference. It wasn’t a make-or-break for us, there’s still a lot of games to go.

“We’d all like to score a lot of goals but it’s only the second in 13 or 14 we haven’t scored so let’s not get carried away. But ultimately we’ve got to be scoring in the situations we get if we want to push on.

“We didn’t hit the heights after giving them a goal. There’s no point setting the traps we set if we don’t capitalise on them.

“Everyone looks at themselves. We all know it wasn’t good enough for where we want to be.

“It’s an extremely disappointing night. We came into this off the back of a great performance against Bristol City.”