How Madger Gomes transformed into an unlikely goalscoring hero for Doncaster Rovers

Prior to this season, the Spanish midfielder had never scored for Rovers. In fact, he had never scored a single goal in senior football.

But with strikes against Blackburn Rovers, MK Dons and Charlton Athletic, the 23-year-old has unearthed a new string to his bow.

Gomes himself puts the change in fortunes in front of goal down to opportunities opening up for him – something he felt evaded him in his first season at the Keepmoat.

“I always in training try to score goals but usually in games I do not have the chance,” he told the Free Press.

“I have been getting the chances to shoot and I am trying to do that.

“Hopefully this season I can score more goals.”

For Rovers boss Darren Moore, Gomes’ scoring streak has come about due to a changing mindset in the midfielder.

Moore and his coaching staff have worked with him since the return to training in August about pushing up the pitch and taking shots on when chances open up.

“I think for Madger it’s been about getting him higher up the pitch,” Moore said.

“But also, when he gets higher up the pitch, it’s about him having the mindset to score and not pass.

“I think he’s tasted it now and he’s getting into more threatening positions now.

“I thought he was in more threatening positions and we didn’t quite see him for that pass.

“But he’s definitely getting in these positions to score goals, which is great for him.

“I’ve said to him, in terms of being part of the midfield, he does so much tremendous work for the team but there were times last season when he was in great positions but he just didn’t take the opportunity or he didn’t believe in himself.

“I think it’s been about a change of mindset for Madger.

“Now he’s got the first goal, he likes it and he’s got the taste for it, and he’s scoring more goals.

“Long may that continue.”

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