Grant McCann admitted for the first time that Doncaster are play-off contenders in League Two after his side continued their incredible run with a seventh straight victory.
Goals from Joe Ironside and Hakeeb Adelakun saw Rovers through to a 2-1 win over Walsall, who found a late consolation through Isaac Hutchinson.
A run of just one defeat in 14 has helped transform Doncaster, who have surged away from relegation danger to four points off the play-off places in that period.
McCann continues to insist his players are taking it one game at a time but conceded they had put themselves in the mix for an unlikely top-seven finish.
“We’ve put ourselves in the picture, haven’t we,” he said. “That is a testament to the staff and players and all the hard work that has gone into it, and our fans backing us all the way, all season.
“We just want to finish strong. No one is getting ahead of themselves. We’re looking forward to Accrington coming here on Saturday.
“We’ve got to get the rest and the recovery right for the players to make sure we can go again with the same sort of energy to try to win the game.”
Doncaster’s performance was not as strong as they had been previously in the run – but that only made the win more pleasing for McCann.
He said: “That was probably the most satisfying win of it all just because I know we didn’t play to where we can and we still got the win.
“Walsall were the only team to beat us in the 14 games and, while we didn’t use that as motivation, it felt a strong win for us because we know how good they can be.”
Walsall head coach Mat Sadler admitted feeling frustrated that defensive lapses had cost his side after they had made a promising start to the game.
“I thought in the first half that we were really good and got into some really good positions but on the night that final execution wasn’t there to take the chance when it came,” he said.
“It looked like we’d scored with the first corner of the game and we controlled the game, certainly in the first half.
“We got done with a ball that we’d spoken about before the game which is frustrating.
“I think it was one of the harsh realities that you have to defend those situations if you’re going to win away.
“There were lots of really pleasing aspects but the goal affected us in the second half and we couldn’t get going again as we had.
“Being front and centre under the lights teaches you that you have to be ready for whatever happens.”
Postecoglou thinks Spurs can end Guardiola's Premier League dominance
Ange Postecoglou relishes the opportunity to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Premier League dominance after he signed a contract extension with Manchester City.
It was announced by City on Thursday that Guardiola will stay at the club until 2027 after agreeing a new two-year deal, taking his time at the Etihad to over a decade.
Under Guardiola (since 2016-17), City have lost more Premier League games (six) and conceded more goals (22) against Spurs than they have against any other opponent in the top-flight.
It is perhaps unsurprising then that, despite the City boss having lifted the Premier League trophy in six of the last seven seasons, Postecoglou was happy his competitor was remaining at the helm.
"I look at it the other way, imagine you knock him off? That would be something, eh?,"Postecoglou began.
"And I'm at the stage of my life where I'd rather have a chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. In the right way, obviously.
"I think when greatness is around, you want to be around it. Hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well.”
Postecoglou is preparing to travel to face City in the league on Saturday during Guardiola’s worst run of form of his career.
City have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions. The Citizens last lost more consecutively between March and April 2006 under Stuart Pearce (six – the fifth game of which was also against Tottenham).
It could present the perfect opportunity for the Australian boss to start his ascent on Guardiola’s dominance, though he will have to face demons of his own as his side have won just two of their last 11 Premier League away games (D2 L7).
"I love the fact that there is a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. It does for me anyway, raises my level, gets me going,” he added.
"I love the challenge of that and I never see that as a bad thing."
New Man Utd boss Amorim: 'I will do my thing, my way'
Ruben Amorim insisted "I will do my thing, my way" at Manchester United rather than concerning himself with where his predecessors went wrong.
The 39-year-old will be on the touchline for his first game as United head coach on Sunday as they face Ipswich Town, taking over from caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Amorim was confirmed as the new head coach at Old Trafford at the start of November after Erik ten Hag was sacked following a poor run of results.
The former Sporting CP boss will not look to the past for answers, however, as he looks to turn the fortunes of United around.
"I will not try to find out the right thing to do or try to find out what was missing with Erik ten Hag, with Jose Mourinho, with Louis van Gaal," Amorim told Sky Sports.
"I will not try that because I think it's a waste of time. They chose me because they saw something and I do something in a clear way.
"I really don't know what the [other managers] missed here but I know I will do my thing, my way and try to find out what is missing in my way of seeing football."
Ten Hag guided United to two trophies but struggled to maintain form across all competitions as they fell to a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.
It adds to the persistent struggles of the club since the departure of Alex Ferguson as, despite their illustrious history, United have failed to win a league title since 2013. But Amorim believes he can deliver success.
"We will have really hard moments but, in the end, I truly believe that we are going to succeed," he said.
"The first impression is that it's so big, with a lot of departments. I came from a big club in a small country. Here is a different world.
"You have a lot to do. You are not just a coach. You have to be something more.
"So it's a little bit different, but I think I'm prepared for that. And it's Manchester United. It doesn't matter the last years."
Amorim enjoyed great success at Sporting, winning two league titles.
He took charge of 231 games in all competitions, the most in the club's history, and won 164 of those matches, losing just 33 times, with his 71% win percentage also a club record-high mark. His team scored 510 goals, averaging 2.2 per game.
After a successful four-game stint for interim boss Russ van Nistelrooy, Amorim officially took over at Old Trafford on November 11.
He is, however, understanding that fans may still be wary of the future, given what has come before.
"I know that at this moment our fans are with mixed feelings - 'I want to be excited, but I have been here so I'm a little bit afraid. It's the same story all the time. I can be disappointed,’" said Amorim.
"So what I can say is that I'm really excited. I'm not afraid to show it. But I have a clear idea that this will take time.
"Don't confuse my happiness with naivety. It's not the same thing. I'm really happy.
"I know what to do. But I have an idea that we are going to suffer a little bit before improving in the way that you should improve."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
