‘It’s the same green pitch, it’s the same 11 v 11’ - Darren Moore urges Doncaster Rovers to shut out the noise at Sunderland

But Darren Moore will encourage his Doncaster Rovers players to ignore their surroundings as they bid for victory on Wearside on Friday night.

Moore admits he enjoyed the opportunity to play at the Stadium of Light himself during his career but says it is important to simply ‘crack on’ with the task at hand once the first whistle sounds.

“It’s a fantastic arena,” he said. “Our players have been up there and know the arena and what to expect.

“I remember myself going up there as a player. I’ve played up there a few times.

“It used to wet my lips going up there and playing there because as a boy growing up wanting to be a professional footballer, they’re the sort of arenas you picture yourself in because most of the televised games are at these high level places so you have that in your psyche.

“But it’s the same green pitch, it’s the same goalposts, it’s the same 11 v 11.

“So usually, when the game starts, you put all that behind you and crack on with the game.

“The excitement of the game and excitement of the crowd adds to it.

“I think it’ll be a good game.”

Mirroring his views on his players handling the atmosphere at Sunderland, Moore says he is reluctant to alter his approach to the game in a bid to quieten the home crowd early.

“I think that is always the thing that you think about - do you go with this gameplan or stick with what you believe in?” he said.

“You just try to stay with and believe in what you’re about.

“My focus is about Doncaster Rovers, that continuation of improvement and performances and I felt with that, that is where the results have kept coming.

“We keep analysing games and try to put wrongs right and get stronger at the rights. There’s always things that we’re building on.”