Rovers hit the road again at the weekend when they travel to face Coventry City in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.
Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at home to Sunderland.
Coventry on the other hand host Rovers as they go in search of their fifth consecutive win in League One, with their 4-2 win at Bradford City the latest victory in that run.
Brief history of Coventry City
Coventry play at the 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena, which has been their home since 2005, minus a brief spell away between 2013 and 2014, since their departure from their former ground, Highfield Road.
They are nicknamed the Sky Blues which comes from the colour of their playing kit.
They returned to League One this season, bouncing back from relegation in 2017 immediately, with goals from Jordan Willis, Jordan Shipley and Jack Grimmer seeing the Sky Blues beat Exeter City 3-1 at Wembley Stadium in the League Two play-off final back in May.
Last season also saw Coventry finish sixth in the league, which would be the Sky Blues first top-six finish since the 1969/70 season, with the promotion their first from any tier since 1967.
Who’s the gaffer?
Mark Robins is the man in charge of the Sky Blues, with Robins being appointed as manager in March 2017. Robins previously managed the Sky Blues for most of the 2012/13 season, before being given permission to take the reins at Huddersfield Town.
Robins is most noted for famously saving Sir Alex Ferguson’s job at Manchester United, scoring in the third round of the 1990 FA Cup against Nottingham Forest, with rumour going round that had United lost that game, Ferguson would have received his marching orders.
Across his two spells in charge of the Sky Blues, Robins has overseen 121 games, winning 58 of those, whilst drawing 22 and losing 41, leaving him with a total win percentage of 47.93 per cent.
Ones to watch
Michael Doyle
The Dublin-born midfielder is in his second spell with the Sky Blues, having made 304 appearances for them in his first stint. Doyle began his professional career with Celtic, but after not making an appearance in the league for the Bhoys, he joined Coventry in 2003, going on to become a huge fan favourite at the club, winning the Player of the Year there in 2005. Doyle moved on to Sheffield United in January 2011, being a part of the Blades squad that reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2014. Doyle joined Portsmouth in 2015 and was captain of the side that won League Two back in 2017. Following the title win with Pompey, he re-joined the Sky Blues and with the captaincy, lead them back to League One.
Lee Burge
The stopper came up through the ranks with the Sky Blues and has gone on to establish himself as their number one over the past couple of seasons. Barring a brief spell on loan at Nuneaton Town in January 2013, Burge has spent his whole career at the Ricoh Arena, and was in goal for their Checkatrade Trophy final win over Oxford United in 2017. Burge once again starred for the Sky Blues last season, making 40 appearances in League Two as they returned to the third tier at the first attempt via the play-offs.
Jordy Hiwula
The former England youth international signed for the Sky Blues over the summer on a permanent deal from Huddersfield Town. Hiwula began his career with Manchester City, coming through the youth ranks at the Etihad Stadium, though much of his time was spent away on loan at Yeovil Town and Walsall. He joined Huddersfield in 2015, though yet again he spent most of his time away from his parent club. Hiwula enjoyed another spell at Walsall, as well as seasons with Bradford City and Fleetwood Town, with his time with the Bantams seeing him help them to the League One play-off final. He signed a deal with Coventry in August this year and scored his first goal in a Sky Blues shirt against Forest Green Rovers in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Who’s the ref?
Carl Boyeson will be the man in the middle when the two sides meet on Saturday. Boyeson has taken charge of 11 games in league and cup competitions this season, dishing out 44 yellow cards, though he is yet to show a red card.
Boyeson has already officiated a Rovers game this season, being in the middle for the first home game of the season in the 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in August, though you would have to go back to January 2017 for the last time he took charge of Coventry, last taking control of the Sky Blues for their 2-2 draw at home with Bolton Wanderers in League One.
He will be joined by assistant referees Matthew Smith and Ronald Ganfield, with David Plowright being named as the fourth official.
Last time out
Rovers last meeting with Coventry came in April 2016 in League One at the Keepmoat Stadium, with Rovers winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Tommy Rowe and Andy Williams.
Rovers last win at the Ricoh Arena came in March 2015, coming from behind after Dominic Samuel’s 5th minute goal for the Sky Blues, with Richie Wellens, Jonson Clarke-Harris and Harry Forrester turning the game on its head.
Tickets for Rovers’ next home game in Sky Bet League One against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday November 17 are still available via the Club Doncaster Box Office – purchase yours now by either visiting in-store at the Keepmoat Stadium, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.