Darren Ferguson says he is expecting a very different Blackburn Rovers side to the one they faced in August when the two sides clash on Tuesday night.
Rovers host Blackburn at the Keepmoat Stadium in a reverse of the visitors’ first home game of the season, one which Doncaster took all three points in a 3-1 win, but Ferguson says things will be very different to the last encounter.
“They’re a very different side to the one we came across back in August, they’ve got different personnel, Bradley Dack wasn’t fully fit when we played them, they’re playing a different formation now and that’s really worked for them,” he said.
“It was a great time for us to play them, they’d lost on the opening day and we went there for their first home game and played very well, but they’re a more confident team now and in my opinion, they were always going to be near the top.
“We grew into that game and going into half time at 0-0 gave us a lot of confidence, we scored early doors and from then on we really hurt them on the counter attack, it won’t be a similar game, but it’ll be a tactical affair and one that we’re all looking forward to.”
Blackburn visit the Keepmoat knowing that three points will be enough for promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship at the first attempt, but Ferguson says his players will be out to spoil the party.
“They’ve set standards and they’ve found consistency, and they’ve done it very, very well, and that’s what you’ll always find with consistency and results, and that’s the key to success and they’ve managed to do that, and they deserve it,” he added.
“There’s certain things that we have to do well tomorrow and it’ll be a tough test for us, we have to be very good on the ball tomorrow, but they are where they are for a reason, and no matter how they started they’d always be where they are now for me.
“They know that a win gets them up, and that’s what they’ll be going for, I’ve said to the players that we don’t want anyone coming here and celebrating promotion and it’s not nice, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Rovers’ game with Blackburn Rovers is now an all-ticket fixture, and tickets are still available via the Club Doncaster Box Office, either in-store, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.