Brandon Hanlan has admitted he is working hard to hit his stride in front of goal early in the League One season, with the Doncaster Rovers forward keen to make his mark quickly as the club navigate a demanding opening run of fixtures.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield, Hanlan was candid about where he stands personally. "Trying to get firing as soon as possible," was how the forward put it, a phrase that reflects the reality of life for a striker in the third tier: results come and go week to week, but a goalscorer who is not scoring tends to find the scrutiny arrives swiftly.

Hanlan's comments arrive at a moment when Doncaster are still finding their feet. The 2-2 draw that manager Grant McCann described as an occasion when his side "kept giving it away" illustrated both the promise and the fragility in this Rovers squad. They can create; the question is whether they can hold a lead and whether their forwards can convert when the moments present themselves.

It is worth keeping perspective, of course. Four games is four games. A draw against Barnsley, where Rovers' own Lewis Byrne felt they had the better chances, suggested there is genuine quality in this group. The recruitment of Cavan O'Reilly on loan from Aston Villa and a further addition in Collins from Lincoln point to a club that has moved with purpose in the transfer window. Whether those additions translate into the cohesion that wins tight matches in League One remains to be seen over the coming weeks.

Hanlan specifically mentioned Plymouth Argyle in his interview, and that fixture will represent an early marker for both sides. Plymouth have made a similarly uneven start. Tom Cleverley's men beat Bradford City in their opener but were then held by Wycombe Wanderers, a result that Taylor's Wycombe side viewed as a demonstration of character. Plymouth are also without a handful of players; Joel MacKenzie is ruled out for a further two weeks, and Boateng faces an extended absence. A team carrying injuries into the autumn months tends to find the table does not flatter them until the squad reassembles.

For Hanlan personally, the narrative is straightforward enough. Forwards are judged on goals, and an early contribution would settle any questions about his own form while easing broader concerns at the Eco-Power Stadium. He has shown across his career that he can be a reliable source of goals at this level, and there is no obvious reason to panic after a handful of matches. But strikers know better than anyone that momentum matters, and finding the net before a fixture against Plymouth would do his confidence no harm at all.

What is clear from the interview is that Hanlan is engaged, focussed and aware of what is required. A forward who publicly sets himself the target of "getting firing as soon as possible" is at least asking the right questions of himself. Doncaster supporters will hope the answers come on the pitch, and sooner rather than later.

The League One table at this early stage is compressed and unreliable as a guide to anything. What matters for Rovers is stringing together a run that takes them away from the teams below and into contention with those above. A reliable goalscorer, firing with confidence, would make that considerably easier.

Frequently asked

When is Doncaster Rovers vs Plymouth Argyle in League One?
The exact date has not yet been confirmed in current reports, but the fixture is part of the early-season League One schedule and is expected in the coming weeks. Check the official EFL fixture list for the confirmed date and kick-off time.
Who is Brandon Hanlan and what has he said about his form?
Brandon Hanlan is a forward for Doncaster Rovers. Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield, he said he is focused on "getting firing as soon as possible", reflecting his desire to contribute goals quickly as the League One season gets under way.
How have Doncaster Rovers started the League One season?
Rovers have had a mixed opening, including a 2-2 draw in which manager Grant McCann felt his side gave the ball away too often. They have added several loan signings and are still searching for the consistency that will push them up the third-tier table.