The Rovers players have been tasked with holding individual presentations for head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson – a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience in the case of Tyrhys Dolan.
Tomasson has used the process as a way of getting to know the players quicker, and for them to provide input on their own game.
A key part of Tomasson’s philosophy is ‘team is number one’, getting the players to buy into the vision of the club and keeping a close team spirit and togetherness.
Dolan feels players have been willing to come forward with their ideas, and speaking more in team meetings, as well as on the pitch as a result of the head coach’s approach.
The 20-year-old held his one-on-one presentation with Tomasson ahead of the pre-season friendlies, the forward having opened his account against Accrington Stanley.
“That was different, I’ve never really taken a presentation before,” Dolan explained.
“It was just infront of the manager and it was a bit nerve-wracking.
“It’s players showing and giving ideas on what they think, rather that just listening to the manager, but having your own input.
“I think it’s getting the boys talking a lot more in training, and off the pitch, so it’s good.”
Rovers have already held one pre-season training camp in Portugal, with another to follow this week in Scotland.
That has allowed Tomasson, appointed as Tony Mowbray’s successor last month, a chance to assess his squad on the training pitches, but also develop connections with them off the pitch.
The presentations have allowed him to do that on a one-on-one basis, and Dolan said: “I think that’s what I need, that individual chat with the manager and those presentations can only make us better and give ideas.
“It’s not just football, you’re giving your input off the pitch so it’s been really good what he’s doing and all the boys are talking a lot more and it’s reflecting more on the pitch and players coming out of their skin.
“Everyone is buying into in to what we’re doing, it’s not just the manager putting his point across, it’s all of us, we’re all a team and wanting to hear each other’s ideas and can only make us better.”
Having arrived as a free agent in 2020 following his release by Preston North End, Dolan featured in every matchday squad in 2020/21.
A spell out injured last season, and the form of Reda Khadra, meant he had to settle for a more bit-part role, though he still managed to clock up 37 appearances.
Under Tomasson, the players have been handed a fresh start, with competition high in order to gain a place in the starting line-up on the opening day against QPR on July 30.
“You want to come in and excite the manager. Everyone is giving everything in training and trying to get into that starting XI.
“It’s really good, competition all over the pitch and that’s only good because it’ll make you better.”
Dolan is heading into his third season at the club, with a productive 77 appearances in his two campaigns so far.
However, the England Under-20 international knows there is always room for improvement.
“I’m coming into my third season, I want to be a source of goals and assists throughout and be a mainstay in the team and keep working hard and putting in good performances,” he added.
“It seems like it’s a young squad, last season it was young but now it seems even younger.
“I’m looking around and I’m one of the players whose been here the longest and I’ve only been here a few seasons!
“We did well last season, but under a new head coach now, with a new voice, I think we can do better this season.”
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