Doncaster Rovers

Rovers head into the game off of the back of a fine victory against Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and manager Dean Saunders was full of praise for his sides’ performance in the tie. 

‘I thought it was a good performance from us,’ he said

‘It was a professional performance and we controlled the game from start to finish, I would like to have seen a bit more penetration but we had to be patient because they put everyone behind the ball. 

‘It was another step forwards for us, we have been controlling games for 15 maybe 20 minute spells, but that was the first time we controlled a game from start to finish this season. I thought we kept the ball really well and were patient; we ended up scoring from a corner which is great.

‘Chesterfield sat off our midfield players so it gave them more time on the ball so they controlled the game. The next step for us is to penetrate teams more and get through on their goalkeeper a bit more than we did.’

Although Hartlepool have not had the best start to the season, winning only once in the league thus far, manager Dean Saunders is well aware of the threat that they posses and the experience they have in the squad.

‘I think they [Hartlepool] have been unlucky,’ said Saunders

‘I watched their game against Crewe last week, they had three really easy chances but missed them, they played Sheff Utd the week before and had two easy chances to score before Sheff United did and missed them too. 

‘I think they are a decent team and have some legs throughout the side with a big centre-forward in Steve Horward, who is really experienced and has a good goal scoring record in the division above, up front. 

‘We have got three different ways of playing, if I change what we are doing during the game I expect everybody to know what to do , but it takes months and months of practice – if you make a couple of new signings you have to go over everything again. 

‘We went to Orient and knew they were going to bang the ball on top of us but we had a plan to combat it, we knew that Stevenage were going to sit back but unfortunately they scored before us so that changed their plan and they sat back even more - things happen in game which mean you have to adjust. 

‘I have an idea on how Hartlepool will play, but you can never be sure until game time so we have to cover everything. We’re not going to get bullied, we’re not going to get out passed and we’re not going to get out worked!’  

Rovers Player subscribers can listen to the full interview HERE