Darren Moore on Doncaster Rovers' 'biggest challenge' of the season

The Rovers boss has made multiple changes to his side in each of the recent matches due to a combination of keeping players fresh and looking to avoid injuries.

And he says those aims, as well as striving to win matches, have been incredibly difficult to achieve during three-game weeks.

“With a normal season you’d probably have six or seven midweek games spread over the season,” Moore said.

“We’ve probably got more than that number of midweek games left so you’re getting three games in a week more than not.

“It’s just getting recoveries in and physically getting ready players who we know just can’t do that over 90 minutes in three games in a week.

“So we’ve had players who can only do 60 minutes. We’ve had players that can only do 30 minutes.

“We’ve had to rotate and move people around and it’s been about trying to keep them fit and not sending them backwards.

“Credit to the players, credit to the sports science and medical departments, we as coaches trying to integrate and merge the whole thing together as well as trying to stay competitive.

“I think that has been the challenge this season

“All managers and clubs this season would be faced with different obstacles to overcome.

“We’ve had to manage it and we’ll just keep working together to make sure we’re at our maximum for games.”

Rovers head to Blackpool on Tuesday night for their third match in a seven day span, following the defeat to Accrington Stanley and draw with Hull City.

Against Hull, Rovers were able to push deep into added time to earn a point and did not look unduly fatigued at full time, which Moore believes represents the progress they have made in bringing players up to the levels of fitness required to complete 90 minutes.

“I’m really pleased to see it,” he said.

“Taylor Richards is starting to do more towards 90 minutes. I’m pleased how we’ve managed him and he’s now at a level where we feel he can do 90 minutes.

“Scott Robertson came on and looked fresh. He’s looking more like it and so is John Bostock.

“Omar [Bogle] did well, Jon Taylor, Josh Sims - these are all people we’ve been working hard with to nurture them.

“It’s the sort of work the supporters don’t see. The volume of work and intensity of work we have to put in them.

“There has been some real high level, intense sessions that we’ve had to give them and some lower levels ones where we’re just increasing the volume.

“Ultimately it’s helping them towards being able to play 90 minutes.

“I want a squad that I can look around and look on the pitch and think they can all do 90 minutes, no problem.

“We haven’t quite had that but we’ve been working towards it and I think we’re getting there now with them, which is great because it means they’re getting stronger and fitter.

“I’m pleased to see that we’re towards it.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.