WE welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Kassam Stadium this afternoon knowing it will be another really good test for us.

Last season’s play-offs seem a long time ago now, but I think Doncaster were there on merit and came very close to a return to the Championship.

They remain a really good team and I have enjoyed watching them play when we analysed them in the build up to today’s clash.

After a dozen games or so I think the league table is starting to take shape and we are in a handy position.

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We had one rough week early in the season but since then we have been pretty consistent and one defeat in 11 games is a good run by anyone’s standards.

I think there is more to come from this team and I have complete faith that the players will keep pushing forward and get us even higher up the table.

On Tuesday night we booked our place in the next round of the Leasing.com Trophy with a draw against Portsmouth.

We should have won after carving out chance after chance, but credit to their keeper, who had a great game.

But we must also pay tribute to our own players.

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Yet again we refused to be beaten and were rewarded with a late equaliser through Rob Dickie.

With both sides through, penalties didn’t mean too much.

It will go down as a 2-2 draw in the record books – it was in the group stages, not a knock out game!

I was a bit frustrated not to win in normal time, but without checking the statistics I’d love to know when we were last in this position.

It’s October and we’re in the top ten and still going in two cup competitions, with the FA Cup just around the corner as well.

But you know what I’m going to say next . . .!

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Football has a terrible habit of knocking you down if you get carried away.

We haven’t achieved anything yet and just have to keep our heads down, keep working to turn a promising start into a truly memorable season.

When Tuesday’s game went to penalties, I got all the players together and turned to Fabio Sole.

Here was a young man who was making his full debut and had only been on the pitch for ten minutes.

I asked him if he fancied taking the first one and straight away he said “yes, not a problem.”

I love that response.

Ok, it wasn’t a high pressure situation but it still takes a bit of bottle to step up like that and score.

Once again, it underlined one of the core values taught in our academy – responsibility.

Fabio was happy to accept responsibility and take that penalty, just as I know Fabio Lopes, another youngster who came on during that game, would have done.

Both of them were at the training ground the next day for their module with the LFE (League Football Education).

The academy is producing good footballers, but it is also producing fine young men.

They shake hands with all the staff every morning, will look you in the eye when talking to you and truly understand the way the whole club goes about its business.