Darren Ferguson is looking for a strong end to the season as his Rovers side head into the final 10 games of their Sky Bet League One campaign.
Bradford City are the first to make the trip across Yorkshire to the Keepmoat Stadium, and Ferguson knows they will provide a tough test.
“They have a competitive team and there’s a good blend of experience and youth, they’re main threat from last time we played them is suspended in Charlie Wyke, but there’s still a lot of options up top for them,” Ferguson said.
“They made a change in manager recently, they had a tough period over December and January and its never nice to see another manager lose his job, but Simon Grayson has a great record in this division.
“Games like these create a great atmosphere, understandably you’ll have some games where the crowd get the players going, and others where it’s the other way around, but when there’s an edge to a derby it’s easier to get everyone up for it.”
The game with the Bantams will be Rovers first since their trip to Southend United last Saturday, but Ferguson says that his players are ready for Monday’s clash.
“We had a nine-day gap between Southend and then Bradford on Monday, then we have another 12 days before we face Blackpool, we’ve sat down at length to provide a plan to what we want to do to make sure were as fresh as possible,” he said.
“We have a heavy schedule and we have to make sure we get enough freshness into the players, firstly ahead of Monday and then the Blackpool game, but we will to be ready for the big period coming up.
“We know now that we have seven games across April, and from the Bury game it’ll essentially be a case of train, play the game, and then rest because the fixtures do come thick and fast, but we will manage it just fine.”
The visit of Bradford City on Monday March 19 is now the only home game for Rovers in March. Tickets are available via the Club Doncaster Box Office. Buy yours now either in-store, by calling on 01302 762576, or going online to tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.