The Rovers boss has steadfastly refused to make wholesale changes after winning promotion to the Championship via the play-offs and the move has paid off with the side taking four points from their opening two games.

Walker said: "I know that some people were panicking a bit during the summer because Sean hadn't brought in a lot of new players after winning promotion, but that was never the intention.

"Had he done that it would have changed the complexion of the team and that's not the way to do it.

"If you look back in history you will find that teams who have good players and who have stuck together for a few years have generally done well.

"If players know what every other player is doing and they are well coached they improve year on year."

A special interested observer who watched Rovers' clash at QPR yesterday was legendary left-back Rufus Brevett – who has a foot in both camps having served both clubs with distinction during his playing career.

Now studying for his coaching badges, Derby-born ace Brevett is still fondly remembered at Rovers – having first made his name in Steve Beaglehole's side that reached the FA Youth Cup final in 1988 alongside the likes of Mark Rankine and Paul Raven.

A host of scouts flocked to Belle Vue to watch Brevett's progress under first-team boss, the late Billy Bremner and he went on to join QPR for £250,000 in 1991.

And despite leaving Rovers, Brevett says the club have always held a special place in his heart – and says their recent progress has been "fairy-tale" stuff.

The 38-year-old added: "When I was at Doncaster we got relegated to the old fourth division and then – not long after – went down into the Conference.

"It's hard to believe when a team falls out of the League that within ten years they could be just one step away from the Premier League – it's just fantasy.

"Rovers were my first professional club and it's one of the first results I look out for.

"I don't see them much live but I have watched them a few times on television and they have always impressed me.

"The type of football they play is pleasing on the eye – you can tell the players enjoy playing that way.

"I definitely think that this style is the key to success in the Championship and the type of football we used to play under Jean Tigana at Fulham was very similar – it was a passing game."