The main message Darren Moore has given his Doncaster Rovers players this week

Moore felt Rovers could have been stronger in possession during their draw with MK Dons on the opening day of the League One season, where the visitors were dominant for large stretches of the game.

Though he believes the reason for the rather frantic play from his side could have been down to the fact it was the first fixture of the campaign, he has spent plenty of time on the training ground this week reinforcing the message about being smart in possession.

“I think the big thing this week has been to settle down and start using the ball a bit more,” he said.

“When I looked back to the MK Dons game, we did some great work off the ball. But when we got on it, we gave it back far too quickly and too soon.

“There was time we could have put our foot on the ball and recognised the situation.

“It was the first game of the season. When I look back on it was a typical opening day of the season - very cagey, ery frantic and it’s probably just the time of the season and we need to settle down.

“All the games with MK Dons since I’ve been here have been tight games, really close. This was a real cagey one. Both teams wanted to get the ball down and play football but they cancelled each other out as well.

“As the players are getting back in, they’ll settle down and find their rhythm and groove.

“I think that was probably the slight thing that I recognised.

“I have worked on things like that.”

Moore has spoken of his delight at the blank midweeks ahead before October brings eight matches in a 28 day spell.

And he says it has been a case of an information overload for his new look squad over the last few days.

“For me it’s about regurgitating information over and over again, even when you’re tired of it,” he said.

“It’s always working on principles both in and out of possession and we keep working.”

Moore has no fresh injury worries as his side heads to The Valley this weekend.

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