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!

Doncaster Rovers vs. Derby County

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

Photo: Action Images

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