SAM ENJOYING ROVERS START
It’s a frustrating time for Doncaster Rovers supporters this weekend. Despite the super start to the season that the Club has experienced - the weekend’s international fixtures mean that there are no Championship games this weekend.
However, the Rovers players have had the opportunity to keep sharp in a practice game against Leeds United and for others who have featured prominently in the Rovers first four fixtures this term, it gives an opportunity to reflect on how the season has gone thus far.
“Obviously, it has been a big step,” says defender Sam Hird - who is continuing the success he had in the first team at the end of last season into this campaign.
“It’s a bit quicker, but in a strange way our midfielders say that you get a bit more time on the ball. Obviously, with the way that we play football, that is good for our team. Apart from the game against QPR, our midfielders have been absolutely excellent and that plays a big part in why we do so well.”
The recent performances by 21 year-old Hird have continued to earn the Doncaster-born defender plaudits from neutrals and supporters alike. The centre back has made the transformation from fringe player to regular starter - and Sam admits that it’s taken him by surprise also.
“I can’t really believe it to be honest, but the games I played when I was on loan at Grimsby gave me confidence and when I came back, the manager gave me a chance and I took it. I played quite a few games at Grimsby and, to be honest, I didn’t play in my preferred position - I played at right-back. But the spell was about getting my confidence and getting some first team games under my belt. I wasn’t expecting to be in the plans at Rovers at all last season, but the manager gave me a chance for the game against Swindon and I was chuffed to bits. I took my chance and the manager has had faith in me and in keeping me there.”
The Rovers face more tough tests once the domestic fixtures resume after the international break - and Hird admits that every game in this division is a big game.
“The next three games are against Birmingham, Charlton and Bristol City; they’re all going to be good games and going to be hard games. We’ll go into those games with every belief that we can get something from them and see what we can do.”
The first of the next three fixtures sees Rovers travel to St. Andrews to take on promotion favourites Birmingham City - a task that is set to be tough for the defence in particular.
“Against Birmingham, they have strikers like Kevin Phillips and Garry O’Connor, then they have Cameron Jerome and a couple more and if they don’t start; they’ll play in some part so we will need to be focused at all times.”