'It's what we're all asking at the minute' - Ben Whiteman on how Doncaster Rovers transfer performances against top sides into other fixtures

The captain scored the winning goal as Rovers turned in a superb performance to nullify a Lincoln side that arrived at the Keepmoat top of League One, continuing the trend of strong showings and results against the division’s strongest sides.

It has been against opposition whose primary focus has been to halt their flow where Rovers have struggled most so far this season, including in the previous game at Plymouth Argyle - and Whiteman admits that has baffled both him and his team mates.

But he believes a slight alteration in approach against the Imps could work in Rovers’ favour in difficult games in the future, with Fejiri Okenabirhie playing a big role.

“I think that’s what we’re all asking at the minute,” Whiteman said when asked how performances against top sides can be transferred into other matches.

“When we’re up against a bigger team in the division that comes and has a go, I think we come out on top.

“But sometimes when a team tries to nullify us and build from that, it’s been a bit difficult.

“I thought we showed a different side of us on Saturday when we went a bit more direct to Fej, Joe [Wright playing right back and I think it worked.

“I wouldn’t say we were too predictable, but teams do come to press us because they know it’s our strength.

“At Plymouth we were all off it. It’s not a case of blaming anything or anyone for that. To a man we weren’t good enough.

“But we put it right on Saturday.”

Rovers delivered on a superb game plan to get the better of Lincoln on Saturday - a feat made all the more impressive by the quick turnaround from the long midweek trip to Plymouth.

Whiteman says much of the groundwork for such performances is carried out when Rovers are afforded time on the training ground, such as over the recent international break.

It then allows detailed plans to be unveiled in meetings, with the squad feeling capable of delivering them due to previous work.

“I think as soon as we’ve got a free week it’s very detailed when we’re heading into the next game,” the skipper said.

“On the opponents, where we can hurt them, what their strengths are and trying to nullify it. And we can use all that in the future.

“It’s a short turnaround at the minute, but we did our recovery from Plymouth on the Thursday, had the meetings and then got out on the grass.

“Friday was so detailed in terms of on and off the ball, again in another meeting for us to see it.

“I thought it showed when we needed to.

“Big Joe at right back was class and he won most of his headers. I think it showed different sides to us when we went a bit more direct. It gave us a foundation to play.

“Fej was outstanding, getting hold of the ball and bringing us into the game.

“It was a good game. They came to play and we did too.”

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