Friday’s opponents Middlesbrough have parted company with Manager Tony Mowbray.
Following the the news many fans will think this is a good thing for Rovers but it often not the case when you face a side who either has a new manager or just parted with one. Middlesbrough have failed to set the division alight and are struggling in the bottom half not where the former Premier League side feel they should be with the players they have.
Why should it be detrimental to Rovers? Well, Paul Dickov and his team will have been analysing the way that Middlesbrough play under Mowbray, which now under caretaker manager Mark Venus or another manager, if they get someone in, could be totally different. Rovers Analyst Adam Smith can only work now on how the players they have play or their weaknesses and strengths but tactically all the matches that the team have watched may not give as many clues how to beat them. The worst scenario is that Middlesbrough set another manager on who has a completely different style of play and tactics such as Tony Pulis or Nigel Clough, which we won’t know how they will line up.
Another usual effect of a manager going as in Sheffield United’s case is that the confidence under the manager was low but now the players are fighting to prove to the new manager or possible manager that they deserve their place in the starting line up. A change of tactics or style could lead to a win and this breeds confidence for any side. Many sides go on a run under new management as we saw when Dean Saunders, came in for Sean O’Driscoll, during the 2011-12 season, when we were in the Championship bottom half after 7 games. We then had a run that took us out of the relegation spots for a period.
The one thing that Paul Dickov and his management team will be working on is how Rovers will play whatever system or tactics that Middlesbrough under whoever is in charge Friday play, which will have the added pressure of being live on Sky Sports. The pundits will be analysing this weeks events and the way that they play which should take the pressure off Rovers as we will still be seen as the under dogs.
Check out Paul Dickov’s views on the game on Rovers Player Thursday after his pre match press conference.
The latest odds from Sky Bet for Middlesbrough next permanent manager:
Tony Pulis 5/4
Martin O'Neill 7/1
Nigel Clough 14/1
Middlesbrough vs Doncaster
Middlesbrough 4/5
Draw 12/5
Doncaster 100/30
All the latest odds from Sky Bear are available at www.skybet.com/doncaster
(Odds correct at time of publish)