by Rich Colby

Doncaster Rovers and Paul Dickov make their final road trip of the season as they travel to Nottinghamshire to face Notts County at Meadow Lane.

Defeat at MK Dons during the week pushed Rovers into the bottom half of the table into 13th place, where a win would’ve seen them go 8th.  Fine lines between achieving and underachieving.  Victory at Notts County should push Paul Dickov’s men back into the top half going into the last game of the season.  Given Rovers overall good away form over the season, a win wouldn’t surprise anybody.

Notts County are simply fighting for their League One lives.  22nd in the table, 2 points off safety, 2 games to play, home to Doncaster and away to Gillingham on the final day.  Realistically nothing but at least 4 points from their final games will give them a chance of avoiding the drop.  For a team that hasn’t recorded a victory in the last 11 games, things don’t look hopeful for them and they are running out of games.  Experienced shot-stopper Roy Carroll will be the one trying to keep Rovers at bay.

Paul Keegan remains Rovers only injury doubt.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides this season.  Last time out the sides played out a forgetful 0-0 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium.  In fact the most entertaining moment of the evening was Notts Countys KwameThomas (already on a yellow card) receive a second booking for leaving the pitch too slowly whilst being substituted.  The teams last played at Meadow Lane in October 2012.  Goals from Paul Keegan (yes Paul Keegan) and Chris Brown gave Rovers a 2-0 win and 3 points on the road to the league title.

Come on you reds!

Overall record vs Notts County:  P 53/W 23/D 8/L 22

by Rich Colby

Paul Dickov’s men face their penultimate away game of the season as they make the journey south to face MK Dons at Stadium MK.

Mathematically Rovers play-off hopes are officially over after they could only manage a goal-less draw at the weekend against Fleetwood Town.  Paul Dickov will still be demanding his side finish as high as possible though, and victory tonight could push them into 7th place.  Unbeaten in the last three games, Rovers will be looking to continue that run tonight.

Confirmation of at least a play-off place is confirmed for MK Dons, but all eyes for them will be on that 2nd and final automatic promotion place.  Just one point behind Preston, the Dons will be looking for victory tonight which could push them into 2nd place providing Preston fail to win at Notts County tonight.  MK have won six out of their last seven games including a 6-1 thrashing over Leyton Orient at the weekend.  Rovers really are coming into town at the wrong time and will have to stop striker Dele Alli adding to his already impressive total of goals this season.

Paul Keegan is Rovers only absentee for tonight.  Rob Jones is expected to play his third game in a week after shoring up the defence since his return.  Mitchell Lund should also keep his place after a solid performance at right-back on his first team debut.

The sides last squared off in October at the Keepmoat Stadium and fought out a 0-0 draw on what was Andy Butlers debut for Rovers.  The last meeting at Stadium MK was in March 2013 on Rovers promotion season from League One.  On the night though they looked anything but promotion hopefuls as they went down 3-0 to goals from Izale McLeod, Daniel Powell and Stephen Gleeson.  Paul Dickov will definitely be looking for a better result tonight.

Come on you reds!

Overall record vs MK Dons:  P 8/W 3/D 4/L 1

by Rich Colby

The end of the season is in sight, with just four games to go Rovers host Fleetwood Town for the first time ever at the Keepmoat Stadium.

While both sides can mathematically still reach the play-offs it is very unlikely that they will.  Rovers sit ten points off sixth place with four games to play while Fleetwood sit eight points off sixth with three to play.  One thing is for sure, whatever the result of this game, someones play-off hopes will be mathematically over and it will be back to the drawing board for next season.

Fleetwood have had a good season overall.  Promoted from League Two last season they were many peoples favourites for a relegation fight, however they sit in a solid 8th position.  Their home form has been good and overall they will be happy with their away performances, picking up 26 points on the road.  Midfielder Steven Schumacher will be the one to watch for them.

Paul Dickov’s men got back to winning ways during the week with yet another away win, this time at Leyton Orient.  I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was ecstatic for Rob Jones scoring the only goal after being ruled out through injury for so long.  Another win against the Cod Army would move Rovers above them onto 60 points for the season so far.

Paul Keegan remains out of the squad through injury despite taking part in light training while the fitness of Luke McCullough and Nathan Tyson will be reviewed.

The sides last faced each other for the only time in their history back in October where Fleetwood ran out 3-1 winners.  Stephen Dobbie opened the scoring but Rovers striker Nathan Tyson leveled the scores within six minutes.  In what was an overall poor display by Paul Dickovs men, a rarity on the road, Liam McAlinden and David Ball sealed the game and the points for the Cod Army.

Paul Dickov will be hoping to try and finish Rovers final two home games on a high after a poor showing to the Doncaster faithful overall this season.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Fleetwood Town:  P 1/W 0/D 0/L 1

by Rich Colby

Only five games left of the League One season to go and Rovers make the long journey to the capital to take on Leyton Orient.

A draw against Rochdale at the weekend extended Rovrs not so great form to just one win in the last eight games.  The poor form of Paul Dickov’s men over the last few weeks has put to bed any thoughts of making the play-offs this season.  There is still pride to play for over the final five games and Paul Dickov will expect maximum effort and commitment in a bid for players to earn contracts for next season.

Leyton Orient have had a rotten season.  Last seasons League One play-off finalists are in a battle to stay in the division this season, only outside the relegation spots on goal-difference.  Their form has picked up over the last couple of weeks though and are unbeaten in the last four games.  The O’s will be fighting for their lives as they aim to claw their way away from the relegation zone, so Rovers wont have it easy.  Striker Darius Henderson has netted in the last two games, and Rovers will have to keep him quiet to make it three in a row.

Rovers remain without Paul Keegan, but him aside there are no further injury worries for Paul Dickov.

The sides last met back in October at the Keepmoat Stadium.  A goal in each half from Jay Simpson and Darius Henderson gave Orient all three points.  Last time Rovers traveled to the Matchroom Stadium in September 2012, goals from Iain Hume and David Cotterill gave rovers the points on their way to promotion.

Come on you reds!

Overall record vs Leyton Orient:  P 30/W 10/D 6/L 14

by Rich Colby

With six games to go it appears that Rovers season is all but over.  The 3-2 defeat at Sheffield United on Tuesday evening put Paul Dickov’s men 14 points behind the Blades and 10 off the play-offs.  But the miracle is still mathematically possible as Rovers welcome Rochdale to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Keith Hill’s side have had a fantastic season overall.  Dale currently occupy 7th position in the table, just 4 points off 6th placed Chesterfield with a game in hand.  A win for them at Doncaster would keep up the pressure on the play-off contenders, so don’t expect them to come and settle for a point.  Midfielder Peter Vincenti will be the one to watch, he has notched 14 goals so far this season.

Supporters and former Rovers players have called for Paul Dickov to give some game time to a handful of players from the youth team for the rest of the season.  There are rumours that he might just do this so expect to see Liam Mandville and Harry Middleton possibly in the squad.  It was thoroughly pleasing to see Rovers club captain Rob Jones on the bench on Tuesday night after a long absence, maybe he can expect some playing time too this weekend.  Luke McCullough and Paul Keegan remain doubtful.

The sides last met back in November.  Rovers fell behind after 8 minutes to a goal from Matt Done, but Kyle Bennett equalized after 28 minutes.  Late goals from Theo Robinson and  Curtis Main gave Rovers a 3-1 win and all 3 points.  Last time the sides met at the Keepmoat stadium Rovers registered another victory.  An 89th minute goal from Bongani Khumalo gave Paul Dickov’s men a 1-0 win and a route to Round 2 of the Capital One Cup.

Rovers are undefeated against Rochdale in the last six fixtures.  The last defeat coming in March 1998.  Heres hoping that run stretches to 7 games come 5pm on Saturday.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Rochdale:  P 104/W 53/D 17/L 34