'We think the same' - Darren Moore on his relationship with Michael Appleton as Doncaster Rovers visit Lincoln City

One of the key roles of a manager is to formulate an approach to get the better of a rival - but what happens when you know that rival shares the same thoughts?
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That dilemma is facing Darren Moore as he takes his Doncaster Rovers side to promotion rivals Lincoln City, managed by his good friend Michael Appleton.

Moore worked as assistant manager under Appleton in a short spell at Blackburn Rovers after developing a close relationship while players at West Bromwich Albion, where their shared views on the game became apparent.

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“For me and Appy, we always shared a view,” Moore told the Free Press.

Lincoln City boss Michael AppletonLincoln City boss Michael Appleton
Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton

“It’s funny as both teams come together that it’s clear through the style of football, of how we see football and how we want to play the game and how we think the same.

“It’s why we worked well as a manager and an assistant. As players, when we played together and we shared views on the game, it was always similar views, how we saw it and how we wanted to play the game.

“I would say I took a lot of that from working with him.

“The work element with the players and the coaching. We’re both willing to put that work in with the squads.

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“I’m pleased to see what he’s doing and I’m sure he’d echo the same vice versa.”

Such a relationship was important to Moore when he was selecting his own assistant after taking on the manager’s job at Rovers 18 months ago.

And it led him to select Jamie Smith, who he had worked with on the coaching staff at West Brom.

“It is similar with me and Jamie,” he said.

“I think me and Jamie here, I don’t even have to think half of some of the things and Jamie just telepathically knows things because of how we see the game and the background in how we’ve come up.

“He’s a real top coach.”

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On renewing acquaintances with Appleton and Lincoln this weekend, Moore is relishing the chance for Rovers to test their mettle against one of the season’s top performers in the division.

Rovers won the reverse fixture at the Keepmoat 1-0 thanks to a stunning strike from Ben Whiteman, which proved to be the difference in an exceptionally tight contest.

Moore says his side’s performance on the day was one of the standouts of the season so far.

And he is expecting a similar level to be required from Rovers if they are to emerge with anything from their trip to Sincil Bank.

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“I would say it was a real top level performance in the other game,” Moore said.

“In and out of possession in a game where we scored an excellent goal and it took that to win the game.

“Both teams were asking questions throughout the game and we shaded it. There was not a yard given, it was a real tight game and we shaded it.

“It was a high level quality match and a real advert for League One football.

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“And we expect more of the same, if not a more intense game.

“It was a top match then and I think it will be this time too.”

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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.

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