McDaid waiting to come to Rovers' aid

DONCASTER Rovers star Sean McDaid is one of several of Sean O'Driscoll's men chomping at the bit.

The 21 year-old has yet to start a league game this season and his only meaningful appearance came in the club’s Johstone’s Paint Trophy win over Bradford City.

“It is obviously frustrating not to be in the team,” said McDaid. “I think any professional footballer would be disappointed not to be playing regularly and I am no different.

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“I thought that I had a chance of starting in the opening game against Millwall because I had had my best ever pre-season, but it was not to be.

“We’ve got a big squad and there are a lot of good players at the club. It is just a case of working hard in training and whenever I come off the bench so that when I do get my chance I am in a position to give it my best shot and hopefully do enough to keep my place.

“That is what Lewis (Guy) has done. He started the season on the bench but he got his chance due to injury problems and he has taken it with both hands.”

The versatile McDaid is equally at home at left-back (his preferred position) or the left side of midfield.

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But his cause hasn’t been helped by the fact that left-back Gareth Roberts has been in excellent form this season and that summer signing Martin Woods has also done well on the left of midfield.

“Gareth has been playing well and I am sure the fact that there people waiting in the wings is helping to bring out the best in players throughout the team,” said the former Leeds United trainee.

McDaid admits that both he and his team-mates have been disappointed with the club’s start to the season.

“Pre-season had gone well with a nice mixture of games and everything looked geared up to getting off to a flying start, but it didn’t happen, though we had enough chances to have beaten Millwall in our opening game instead of drawing 0-0,” he said.

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“We lost our next two games and instead of us being up there challlenging as as everyone expected, we found ouselves languishing in the lower reaches of the table.

“We had looked to be getting things right before losing 3-2 at Southend last weekend.

“Tomorrow’s game against Cheltenham is very important and one that we have got to be looking to win. Three of our next four league games are at home and we’ve got to be looking to pick up some wins in those games and climb back up the league table.

“Whoever the manager picks in those games will be be doing their best to get the club a win and the fans can also play their part as well by really getting behind the team.

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“We particularly need the fans to get behind us when the game is tight. I know that supporters can sometimes feel frustrated when we are struggling to break sides down.

“But because other teams see that we’ve spent a bit of money over the last couple of years, and are rated as one of the promotion favourites, they probably raise their game against us.

“Teams are going to come here and try and make it difficult for us and we’ve got to deal with that. As I said earlier we have not made the start that we wanted, but that also applies to several other clubs expected to do well. There is a long way to go. I don’t think that you can start to get a good idea of who is going to have a good season until after 10-15 games.”