New skipper Tom Anderson ready to lead by example at Doncaster Rovers

The towering centre half took the armband at Doncaster Rovers following the departure of Ben Whiteman earlier this month.

As he prepares to lead his side out at the London Stadium this weekend in the FA Cup tie with West Ham United, Anderson says the message of giving your all on the pitch on every occasion will be clear from the captain.

“It’s massive,” he said.

“You can have all the talent you want but if you don’t work hard, as I see it, I don’t think you’ll get very far.

“I think first and foremost you have to work hard and that’s just the basics.

“As the captain of this team, that’s what I will do.

“We’ve got a good group here. We work hard every day in training and we’ll keep doing that and see where it takes us by the end of the season.”

The 27-year-old is typically laid back and hopes to be a skipper that will be approachable for players of all ages at the club.

But he insists he will be prepared to show his tough side if the situation calls for it.

“I like to see myself as a leader,” he said. “I want to be approachable off the pitch and on the pitch I’ll give it my all.

“If some people need a rocket, then I’ll give it to them. I can be nice and approachable but I want everyone to work hard and if they’re not doing then I’ll let them know.

“I think it’s about making sure we all stick together.

“There’s 11 players in the team and I think if we can all stick together and work for each other then it’ll take us a long way.”

Anderson particularly wants to be able to guide the younger players at the club as they make their early steps at senior level.

He said: “We’ve all been there. I remember being young and not being sure about things. That’s what I mean about being approachable.

“If a young lad is not sure what he should be doing, on the pitch, off the pitch, in the gym, he can come and ask me. I’ll always be there for players.”

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