Doncaster Rovers: '˜Don't just settle, Liam' - Ferguson demands more Mandeville following Bury fall-out

Darren Ferguson has told Liam Mandeville not simply to settle for anything less than a regular starting spot.
Liam Mandeville started the season up front alongside John Marquis.Liam Mandeville started the season up front alongside John Marquis.
Liam Mandeville started the season up front alongside John Marquis.

The 20-year-old forward, who burst onto the scene last season, was banished from the matchday squad at Bury after Ferguson took exception to his reaction at being dropped from the starting eleven.

He made an impressive - and goalscoring - return to the side against Scunthorpe United in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday.

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Afterwards, Ferguson was asked whether Mandeville had shown just the right sort of reaction on the pitch against the Iron.

“Yes, he did,” said Ferguson. “That’s what I want.

“I’ll have a good chat with him as this week goes on in terms of what I expect. I want people to be disappointed when they’re not playing.

“Liam’s a very good player and he knows that I think that of him. But he just needs to keep on wanting to be playing every single week and not settling for anything else.

“His performance didn’t surprise me, because he’s got the ability.

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“But he’s only a young boy and he’s come a long way in the last 12 months to be fair to him.

“Perhaps I just expect too much sometimes, but certainly he knows where I’m coming from with it. He gave a great reaction [against Scunthorpe].”

Andy Williams is a doubt for this weekend’s FA Cup first round tie at Ebbsfleet after taking a knock just under his ribs.