Rovers start their two game away stand against Scunthorpe in npower League One action this Saturday.
After a frustrating draw with 23rdplaced Portsmouth last Saturday in a weekend that otherwise went firmly in Rovers favour, Rovers skipper Rob Jones defiantly credited the result as a point gained with all points from now to the end of the season being invaluable.
Rovers get an immediate chance to put last weekend’s result right against another side in the relegation zone in Scunthorpe who are coming off a run of just one win in six games. The Iron are in danger of slipping into the drop zone at the worst possible time and face three top half sides in their next three outings.
Rovers are also entering a tricky run with Tranmere Rovers and Swindon Town to play in the next fortnight, making a return to winning ways vital tomorrow at Glandford Park to maintain their
April in the next game at the Keepmoat.stthree points cushion on third placed Swindon, who visit on the 1
Irons manager Brian Laws took charge of the last meeting at the Keepmoat in November and will hope his side fair better on Saturday after losing 4-0 in Doncaster’s largest win of the season. The goals came from Woods, Cotterill, Jones and Paynter just after the hour mark.
Rovers have been solid of late in part due to a steely determination instilled by manager Brian Flynn to make sure Rovers continue their habit of grinding out results. A habit that has seen the club lose just once in the last eight games.
win in twenty away games this season, which has already been a remarkable away campaign for the club.thStill the best away side in the division, Rovers can record their 13
Although buoyed by the this week’s contract extension of young midfielder John Lundstram from Everton until the end of the season, Rovers are short in midfield as the youngster faces a late fitness test. Dean Furman is also away on international duty with South Africa following his short cameo last weekend and Dave Syers is still sidelined.
The irons will be without skipper Paul Reid who sustained an injury in the last game against Notts County. If Rob Jones scores on Saturday he will have scored in both fixtures this season against his former employers where he remains their record signing at £700,000 from Hibernian in 2009.
Interesting Facts
In recent years Scunthorpe United have made a habit out of producing or developing strikers that have all gone on to play at a higher level, Jermaine Beckford, Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh, Gary Hooper and Martin Paterson have all come through the club in recent seasons.Scunthorpe United can also boast to having had three England captains play for them in their history. Liverpool and England legends Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence, and the less than illustrious footballer but pretty special cricketer and all rounder, have all played for the club.Ian Botham
Last Meeting – League – 24/11/2012
Result –
Doncaster Rovers - 4(M, Woods 22mins, Cotterill 46mins, Jones 62 mins, Paynter 64 mins)
Scunthorpe United- 0
Teams –
ROVERS –Gary Woods, Paul Quinn, Rob Jones, Tommy Spurr, James Husband, David Cotterill, Paul Keegan, James Harper, Martin Woods, Iain Hume, Billy Paynter.
Subs -Chris Brown (Martin Woods 59 mins), Sammy Clingan (Harper 67 mins), David Syers (Keegan 77 mins), Shelton Martis, Robbie Blake, Michael Woods, Jon Maxted.
Scunthorpe–Steve Mildenhall, Christian Ribeiro, Mark McChrystal, Niall Canavan, Tom Newey, Mark Duffy, David Prutton, Josh Walker, Jimmy Ryan, Nathan Ellington, Leon Clarke
Subs -Andy Barcham (Ryan 66 mins), Karl Hawley (Ellington, 66 mins) Damien Mozika (Walker 74 mins),Callum Kennedy, Mike Grella, Callum Howe, Sam Slocombe.
Team News
Weather
Dean Furman and Cameron Howieson are both on international duty and miss the game, whilst Brian Flynn waits on news on midfielder John Lundstram.
Snow and strong winds, becoming lighter and intermittent later. Very Cold with easterly winds.