Nigel Clough and his chargers are giving Rams fans hope that the corner may have finally been turned. False dawn or the real deal? The answers lie on the road!
Tuesday 19th October 2010 17:45
Keepmoat Stadium
Doncaster
Doncaster v Derby - Historical:
P 9 W 4 D 1 L 45 F 16 A 14
Last game at Pride Park:
13/03/10 Doncaster Rovers 2 - 1 Derby County (Hulse)
Recent Form:
Doncaster Rovers: 20/24 P 11 W 4 D 4 L 3 F 12 A 12
Leading scorers: Sharp (5)
Derby: 13/24 P 11 4 3 D 4 L 3 F 17 A 20
Leading scorers: Commons (5)
The Rams:
Another brilliant performance and another deserved result - things are looking up at Pride Park. At last! We've seen more than a few false dawns but this time it really looks as if the sun is rising on a new era at Pride Park.
The big difference is confidence. The arrival on loan of Frankie Fielding in goals seems to have given a confidence to the back four. Take nothing away from Stephen Bywater. I am one of his biggest fans and agree with Robbie Savage that he's the number one keeper in the league. Having said that, a lack of a credible number two competing for his place has left him sloppy and complacent. Hopefully seeing Fielding play will give Bywater the kick up the backside he needs.
Probable Team:
Fielding
Brayford, Leacock, Barker, Moxey
Bailey, Pringle
Bueno, Cywka, Commons
Kuqi
Subs: Deeney, O'Brien, Roberts, Moore, Savage, Noble, Green
No. Position Player
1 Keeper Stephen Bywater Injured
2 Defender John Brayford
3 Defender Gareth Roberts
4 Midfield Paul Green
5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain)
6 Defender Dean Leacock
7 Striker Steve Davies Injured
8 Midfield Robbie Savage (captain)
9 Striker Shefki Kuqi (on loan from Swansea City)
10 Midfield Kris Commons
11 Midfield Stephen Pearson
12 Striker Chris Porter Injured
13 Keeper Saul Deeney
14 Defender Russell Anderson
15 Midfield David Martin
16 Midfield James Bailey
17 Defender Jake Buxton
18 Midfield Ben Pringle
19 Striker Tomasz Cywka
20 Defender Miles Addison Injured
21 Defender Dean Moxey
23 Striker Conor Doyle
25 Defender Mark O'Brien
26 Striker Callum Ball
27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid)
28 Striker Luke Moore (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
29 Striker Ryan Noble (on loan from Sunderland)
30 Keeper Ross Atkins
34 Keeper Frank Fielding (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick
36 Defender Kallum Keane
37 Midfield Ryan Connolly
38 Midfield Medi Abalimba
39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Doncaster:
For once it's not us struggling with injuries (though we do have a few). Doncaster will be definitely be without George Friend and Shelton Martis, and James O'Connor is a major doubt.
James Chambers and Wayne Thomas longer term injuries and Adam Lockwood is has a swollen toe.
That shouldn't stop Doncaster being an attacking force. Perhaps Chairman John Ryan got carried away comparing James Coppinger to George Best however he was unapologetic. Speaking to the star he said;
"I thought going forward we were magnificent,"
"We could have had a few more goals. It could have been something like 7-4."
"James Coppinger was unplayable in the second half."
"It was like Georgie Best on the wing and I don't make any apology for likening him to Best the way he played today."
You could be cynical and say he was trying to put a few more bums on seats for an Autumn midweek fixture but you can't deny that Doncaster are doing well in this division - they certainly have had the ascendency over us in the last few years.
Sean O'Driscoll was upbeat after the game. Also speaking to the Star he said;
"IT was a fantastic result."
"I thought it was an entertaining game and anyone who was a neutral or a Doncaster Rovers supporter would have gone home happy."
"Billy (Sharp) has had games this season when he's worked as hard as he has today and other members of the team have scored."
"Today he got two."
"He was back on his old stamping ground and he's obviously enjoyed it. He really enjoys scoring goals."
Rovers Current Squad:
No. Position Player:
1 Keeper Neil Sullivan
2 Defender James O'Connor
3 Defender George Friend
4 Defender Shelton Martis
5 Defender Wayne Thomas
6 Defender James Chambers
7 Midfield Martin Woods
8 Midfield Brian Stock (captain)
9 Striker Steve Brooker
10 Striker Billy Sharp
11 Defender Adam Lockwood
12 Striker James Hayter
15 Midfield Mark Wilson
16 Midfield John Oster
17 Midfield Ryan Mason (on loan from Tottenham)
18 Midfield Simon Gillett
21 Defender Sam Hird
22 Midfield Dean Shiels
23 Defender Byron Webster
24 Defender Mustapha Dumbuya
26 Midfield James Coppinger
33 Keeper Gary Woods
What the bookies think:
Doncaster are favourites at 11/10 on while the Rams are at 13/5. The draw is 11/8. Kris Commons is at 6/1 while Shefki Kuqi is at 7/1.
Unsurprisingly, Billy Sharp is at 9/2 to continue scoring against the Rams.
A Kris Commons Hat-trick would get you 40/1.
Information for travelling fans:
Driving
It’s M1/M18 to J3 for Doncaster. The stadium is well signposted. Pass the retail park on the left and turn left at the next Island. The stadium is behind the shopping complex on the right.
Parking
You should be able to park at one of the firms near the round on the industrial estate for four quid however there is some street parking to be had nearby if you are early enough.
Drinking
There's not much around the stadium other than a Beefeater. They do serve away fans. Alcohol is available in the stadium.
Mick's prediction:
This should be a tough fixture and we've not had much joy in Doncaster recently. Keeping Billy Sharp quiet will be a tough job for the defence but they have shown they are up to it. I predict an attacking game that could end up high scoring by either or both sides.
Doncaster 2-2 Derby