IT certainly has been a happy new year for Rovers fans so far.

Saturday’s win over Doncaster, while not the prettiest, showed yet again our ability to dig out a win in difficult circumstances.

This young side really is showing character, having held Manchester City the previous week and winning at Leeds the week before.

For all the merits of youth, fit again veteran keeper Paul Robinson has made a huge difference in his short time back between the sticks.

Against City, the defence appeared to have a renewed confidence.

They were assured that the right man was keeping goal behind them, and Robbo has proved that.

A couple of good saves in the cup match were followed by game-winning stops on Saturday when we were at our most vulnerable.

It is good to have him back and, at 34, he still has a good few seasons left in him.

It appears we may finally also have found a strike partner for Jordan Rhodes.

How refreshing it was to see Rhodes turn provider to tee up Rudy Gestede for the only goal of the game.

Rhodes is a fantastic asset to the team, obviously, but aside from him we have very few goalscorers in the squad.

Hopefully the two will build up a solid understanding and the R and R will become a formidable partnership.

It’s been a funny season so far and a lack of consistency has been our downfall.

This is the fourth time we have had back-to-back wins, but now we need to prove our promotion credentials and really push on.

Sitting just two points behind the play-offs and on a good run of form, this is the time to put a run together.

The possibility of a Rovers v Clarets play-offs meeting has already been mooted.

What a mouthwatering prospect that would be, especially if it was at Wembley.

Of course we still have the small matter of an FA Cup third round replay tomorrow.

We remain the only club to have stopped Manchester City from winning in any of their last 10 games.

Whatever happens at Eastlands, Rovers go there safe in the knowledge they have nothing to lose and may as well go for it.