No festive rest for promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers

A continuation of hard work and dedication is on the Christmas menu for Doncaster Rovers players as they prepare for what could be a crucial period in this so far impressive campaign.
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High-flying Rovers take on Accrington at the Keepmoat on Boxing Day before embarking on an unenviable five-game run of away matches in league and cup which will see Darren Moore’s side take in trips to Fleetwood, Peterborough, Oxford, Blackburn and Swindon.

And there’ll be no resting on their laurels, though, with Moore expecting his team to maintain the high standards they have set themselves and that means sacrifices will be made.

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"They'll be in to work,” Moore told Doncaster Free Press. “We know in the Christmas period there's no real time off - we can't have any time off because of the games situation.

Doncaster Rovers midfielder Taylor Richards is more than  prepared to work hard over the festive period and sacrifice what the rest of us take for grantedDoncaster Rovers midfielder Taylor Richards is more than  prepared to work hard over the festive period and sacrifice what the rest of us take for granted
Doncaster Rovers midfielder Taylor Richards is more than prepared to work hard over the festive period and sacrifice what the rest of us take for granted

"For us, we'll be in. Christmas for me is a normal working time because of the important games and we have to prepare.

"Footballers make huge sacrifices in terms of time with families and loved ones because they have to prepare for a game on Boxing Day when the majority are watching them play - the players need to be ready to perform on Boxing Day and throughout the Christmas period.”

In-form Rovers midfielder Taylor Richards, who is far from home having joined on loan from Brighton, knows those sacrifices will be worth it if he and his team mates continue to stay at the top end of the table for the remainder of the season.

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“We have a game on Boxing day against Accrington, I'll stay here and just get ready for the game because that's another big game,” he said.

“You have to try and stay focused. If I stay focussed I have a better chance of helping the team and moving up.

“That's your job, you go to work, this is what you need to do. There are rewards for football but these are the sacrifices you have to make to get to the next level and keep pushing forward.

"You have to sacrifice certain things but hopefully something positive comes out of it.”