Midfielder says team is brimming with confidence after win against Walsall

LUCAS AKINS insists Saturday’s trip to Doncaster will give a good indication of how far Boro have come this season.

The 23-year-old, who signed from Tranmere Rovers during the summer transfer window, scored his third goal for the club on Tuesday night to help his team to an impressive 3-1 win over Walsall at the Lamex Stdium. But it was the right-winger’s powerful performance that caught the eye among the home supporters, and Akins says second-placed Boro will head to the Keepmoat Stadium brimming with confidence.

“It’s a massive game against a big team who will probably be up there at the end of the season,” Akins told the Comet. “It will be a good test to see how far we’ve come, but we’ll be going in there looking to maintain our unbeaten run and our good away record.

“So if we can get a good result that will set us up again. We’re second in the league now so we’ve got something to hold on to. That winning mentality is still in the team so hopefully we can carry that on against Doncaster.”

Akins was delighted he and his team-mates finally recorded their first home win of the season against the Saddlers, and insisted he was never concerned with the previous results at the Lamex.

“No we weren’t really concerned, and I think that’s because of our position in the league,” said Akins. “We’d been unbeaten and we knew we’d get it right because there have been positive signs previously. So it was just a matter of time if we could keep up the performances and we did against Walsall.

“Saturday was disappointing after conceding two early goals but once again we showed our spirit by fighting back. And it wasn’t as though we were playing poorly, we played pretty well, and tonight we’ve done it again but got the victory we deserved.

“We’re very happy to get the first home win out of the way and maintain our unbeaten run. It’s brilliant and it was a good performance. We were obviously disappointed to concede a goal but we bounced back again with two great goals.

“The first half went pretty well and Shrooty [Robin Shroot] has got on the scoresheet again which is great for him. Overall I think we deserved the win.”

The Huddersfield-born midfielder also praised the quality of the squad at Gary Smith’s disposal, after the Boro boss made a trio of changes from Saturday’s match – with Miguel Comminges, Shroot and Greg Tansey all impressing.

“The gaffer made a few changes for the match and the boys that came in did brilliantly. Greg Tansey came in and scored a fantastic goal and played very well. We know we’ve got a good squad here so people can come in and do a great job.”

Akins also says he has settled in well at his new club, and believes it’s down to the team’s performances on the pitch that has enabled a seamless transition.

“I think I’m settling in ok. It’s always better when you get on the scoresheet but it’s been really easy to fit in here as there are some great people involved at this club,” he added.

“The transition has been brilliant, and I’m enjoying my football. And when you’re enjoying it hopefully the performances come with that and I’m not feeling any pressure.”