Reece James on cards being laid on the table after Doncaster Rovers' defeats to Fleetwood and Sunderland

Rovers turned in disappointing and error-strewn performances for the back-to-back losses and there was a determination to clear the air ahead of the midweek clash with Accrington Stanley.

Though beaten again, Rovers were much improved and James says the focus now must be on further progress when they host Hull City on Saturday.

“A lot of it was about getting things out on the table,” he said.

“We’re all men and you’ve got to make sure you speak about these things.

“Everyone at this club wants to win games.

“After these games there’s been a lot of things said in the changing rooms and made sure the message was clear that we have to put it right.

“Wednesday was the night to do that and unfortunately we didn’t.

“But what we have to do now is focus on doing it on Saturday and make sure we go into the games thinking we can win.”

James is confident Rovers have the right mentality to ease themselves out of their sticky patch and get back to the form that led them to nine wins from ten matches.

“I think everyone in the changing room wants to win games and you’re at the wrong club if you don’t think you can win any game in this league,” he said.

“I think you have to go into any game knowing you can win. I think the gaffer has brought that mentality to the club.”

During the latter stages of their excellent run of form, Rovers demonstrated superb defensive resilience to withstand long periods of pressure from the opposition.

But against both Fleetwood and Sunderland, poor mistakes led to their downfall.

And James thinks those can be put down to a lack of concentration rather than a more systemic issue.

He said: “I think sometimes it's a lack of concentration in games.

“If you look at the goals we’ve conceded, there’s not been many where we’ve been carved apart.

“In other games we’ve done that to other teams.

“It;s not been that case, it’s either been individual errors and switching off at times where we’ve been punished.

“We’ve been solid as a unit.”

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.