He may have got a fight against relegation to contend with but Paul Dickov insists the FA Cup is massively important for Rovers.
Rovers have not progressed beyond the third round in the last three seasons but Dickov is determined to end the run.
Graham Westley’s League One strugglers Stevenage visit the Keepmoat on Saturday for the third round clash.
And although many bosses – particularly those with an injury crisis as severe as Rovers – would see a clash with lower league opposition as an opportunity to hand out some much needed rest, Dickov views the game differently.
“The FA Cup is going to be massive for us this year,” Dickov told the Free Press.
“There’s nothing better than picking up results and putting a run together to get the season going again.
“We won’t be taking it easy because we can’t afford to do that.
“We’ve got to be careful with this game.
“I know how easily upsets can happen in the cup.
“Knowing Graham Westley as I do, his side will be up for it.
“They have a history of causing upsets and they’ll be looking at us and thinking they can do it again.
“We’ll make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Dickov knows all about FA Cup upsets having masterminded previous club Oldham’s victories over Nottingham Forest and Liverpool last season.
Stevenage will be looking at the FA Cup for a source of much needed tonic themselves as they sit deep in the League One relegation zone.
Stevenage had won just once in their last eight matches while only two sides in the division have conceded more than Boro.
The warning shot for Rovers came early in the season when Stevenage dumped Ipswich out of the Capital One Cup.
But Rovers had the upper hand in meetings between the sides last season, winning one and drawing one.