'A pleasure to watch' - Luke Molyneux laps up praise as resurgence of Doncaster Rovers' star man continues
After a slow start - by his own sky-high standards - Luke Molyneux is back doing what he does best for Doncaster Rovers.
The winger has enjoyed a renaissance in recent weeks with stellar performances topped off by a smattering of goals and assists. Indeed, the only thing missing from his latest man-of-the-match showing against Chesterfield last weekend was a goal himself.
The 27-year-old terrorised the Spireites' left-back all game and produced a terrific cross for Owen Bailey's equaliser. That took Molyneux's goal contribution tally (goals and assists) to 11 for the season.
His teammate Jack Senior - who scored the eventual winner in Derbyshire - admits he and the bench were mesmerised by some of the skills Molyneux showed against the Spireites. "We were sat on the bench and some of the things he was doing... The first touch from a switch - he just makes it look so easy," he told the Free Press.
"Then there was one just in front of us where he just nutmegged someone and we all just looked at each other. He's showing us what he is capable of and that's giving us all belief in each other really.
"He's expressing himself really well at the minute and I can't describe it as anything other than a pleasure to watch."
After a tough period of late, following the passing of his grandfather who he was mightily close to, Molyneux is back at his sharpest and producing the kind of form that saw him sweep the board amid Rovers' title success last season. Safe to say his manager, Grant McCann, is happy with the wideman's return to form.
"Luke started the season a wee bit slow by his standards, but he's getting fitter, stronger and sharper all the time," said McCann.
"He's getting better all the time and that's what we want. He's looking leaner and I know there's a lot of work that goes into the players and Luke's no different to all the boys. From a physical point of view, it's about making sure that their diet and what they are eating is proper. And Dave (Rennie, head of medical) works very hard with the players.
"Also, there's a bit of psychological and mentality stuff that we're giving him a bit of help with as well. But he's changing and he's certainly enjoying his football again. And when he's like that, he's unplayable at times."
The manager also extended his praise to his fellow wing options, Glenn Middleton, Jordan Gibson and Damola Ajayi. He added: "Luke's not played a lot at League One level. So I don't know whether him, Jordan, Glenn and Damola were maybe doubting themselves a wee bit earlier (in the season). Maybe a few of them were thinking that full-backs are quicker than they are in League Two.
"But Jordan and Mols are both quick. They're both in good form as are Glenn and Damola. I'm pleased with the four wide players we've got because they're all contributing, which is really pleasing."