Rovers travel to take on Charlton Athletic in Sky Bet League One this weekend.
Darren Moore’s side will hope to earn their first win of the new Sky Bet League One season at the Valley.
Opening day results
Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by MK Dons at the Keepmoat Stadium in their first game of the 2020/21 league campaign. Madger Gomes’ had put Rovers in front early in the second-half, before Baily Cargill’s late equaliser meant a share of the spoils.
Charlton got life back in League One off to the perfect start after a 2-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra. First-half goals from Alfie Doughty and debutant Conor Washington sealed all three points for the Addicks.
The man in charge
Lee Bowyer was named as the club’s permanent manager in September 2018 after six months in caretaker charge. In his first full season with the club, the 43-year-old guided Charlton to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship, but was unable to guide them to safety in the second-tier last season. He has stuck by the club despite relegation and will be hoping for a successful year this time around.
Since taking charge, Bowyer has overseen 119 matches, winning 50, drawing 26 and losing 43, giving him an overall win percentage of 42%.
Ones to watch
Alex Gilbey
The creative midfielder joined Charlton in the summer from fellow Sky Bet League One side MK Dons. Gilbey arrived at the club after twice winning the Dons’ Player of the Year award, and will be a key addition to Lee Bowyer’s side this season.
After progressing through the youth ranks at Colchester United, the 25-year-old racked up more than appearances for the U’s before departing for Wigan Athletic in 2016. Gilbey spent just one season at the DW Stadium though prior to his move to MK Dons.
Macauley Bonne
After helping to fire Leyton Orient back into the EFL, Bonne was snapped up by Charlton after their promotion to the Sky Bet Championship.
The Zimbabwean international made a decent start to life at the Valley, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances in the second tier. He is already off the mark competitively this season after bagging in the win at Swindon Town in the Carabao Cup first round tie.
Conor Washington
Another lively forward, Washington made his name in the EFL with Peterborough United in 2014. The Northern Irishman scored 33 goals in 94 appearances for Posh, before attracting the interest of Sky Bet Championship side Queens Park Rangers in 2016.
Spells with Sheffield United and Scottish Premiership side Hearts of Midlothian followed, before he came back south of the border to join Charlton in the summer.
Last time out
The last time Rovers faced Charlton resulted in a five goal thriller at the Valley in the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final second-leg.
Krystian Bielik gave the Addicks the lead, before goals from Tommy Rowe, Andy Butler and John Marquis turned the game on its head. Darren Pratley scored the hosts’ second goal meaning the match ended 3-2 to Rovers in 90 minutes taking the game to extra-time and eventually penalties.
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