Blunt Tom Anderson backs up doubts over desire at Doncaster Rovers in recent weeks

Rovers have lost their last three matches, with a run of two wins from 14 seeing them drop to five points off the top six in League One.

Veteran James Coppinger questioned the mentality and hunger within the group following Monday’s defeat to Bristol Rovers.

And Anderson agreed when asked if there had indeed been a lack of motivation and desire.

“If I’m being brutally honest there has,” he told the Free Press.

“That’s down to us as players. We have to get the best out of each other.

“There’s nothing more the manager and the staff can do. They’re preparing us the best they can for every game. The results fall back on us as players. We’re the ones on the pitch and it is up to us.

“We have to make sure we dig deep, we play with the fire and determination. As long as we stick together and we get back to doing that, then we’ll get results.”

Anderson says there needs to be a determination and willingness to carry out the ‘ugly’ side of the game if Rovers are going to reverse their fortunes.

Rovers started 2021 with a series of dogged performances that helped pick up the wins to keep them firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion.

And a return to performances packed with resolve is vital according to the skipper.

“I say it’s the ugly side of the game but it reaps its reward,” he said.

“You win the tackles and headers and it’s the fine margins that can make a massive difference between a draw and a win or a loss and a draw.

“If we get back to doing that, we’ll have a strong end to the season.”

Anderson is also convinced that one win will make all the difference for Rovers - who host relegation threatened Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

“It can give everyone a lift and belief starts creeping back into the team that we can get into the play-offs,” he said. “And that is what we’re aiming to do.”

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