by Rich Colby

Victory in the South Yorkshire derby at the weekend has provided Rovers with a bit of a springboard to move up the table.  A win against Notts County at the Keepmoat Stadium could propel them from 13th to 6th dependant on other results.

You could throw a blanket over most of League One at the moment as just ten points separate the play-off places from the relegation places.  Harry Forrester’s late strike against Barnsley gave Rovers a deserved victory to make it two wins in the last two at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Notts County currently lie 10th in the league with the same points total as Rovers (34).  They have only won once in their last five on their travels in the league, but they did win at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier in the season in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.  A late Billy Daniels strike gave them a 2-1 victory at the weekend and he will need to be watched again if Rovers want to push towards the Play-Off places.

Paul Dickov remains without midfielder Dean Furman and defender Cedric Evina, but those two aside has a fully fit squad to choose from.  Rovers are also boosted by the signing of midfielder Abdul Razak until the end of the season subject to international clearance.  Dickov may make a couple of changes with Nathan Tyson and Harry Forrester in contention for starting places.  If Razak does make the squad it will likely be from the bench.

Last time out Notts County took the spoils as they dumped Rovers out of the Johnstones Paint Trophy just over a month ago.  Hopefully Paul Dickov’s men have learnt their lessons from that night and can record a victory this time around.

Come on you reds!

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

by Rich Colby

After the mid-week FA Cup defeat to Bristol City its officially time to “focus on the league”.  And what better way to do so with a Yorkshire Derby against Barnsley at The Keepmoat Stadium.

If Rovers are still eyeing the possibility of a play-off place at the end of the season then they really need to kick on in the league.  Although undefeated in the last four league games, Paul Dickov’s men still occupy 14th place in the table.  Three points is a must in the Yorkshire derby in the hope of providing a springboard into the top half of the table.

Barnsley are very much in a similar boat to Rovers.  16th in the league but only seven points outside the play-offs with half a season to go still gives The Tykes hope.  Whilst their home form is ok, their form on the road is poor, their last away victory coming at Sheffield United on 1st November.  Rovers will still need to keep an eye on top scorer Connor Hourihane in order to take the bragging rights for another few months.

Rovers remain without Dean Furman who is away with South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations.  Cedric Evina will also miss out.  Paul Dickov should confirm the signing of Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater in time for him to be available for the game.  He will replace Sam Johnstone who has joined Preston North End on loan.

The two teams last met just over a month ago and shared the points in a 1-1 draw.  Barnsley opened the scoring after just 5 minutes when Lewin Nyatanga was left unmarked from a corner kick.  Striker Theo Robinson managed to salvage a point for the Rovers after 52 minutes.  Last time out at the Keepmoat Stadium the teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Barnsley:  P 70/W 25/D 22/L 23

by Rich Colby

The FA Cup will be under the lights again tonight as Rovers travel to Bristol City for their FA Cup 3rd Round Replay.

In a closely contested affair, the original fixture finished 1-1.  A 50th minute hooked shot by centre-back Luke McCullough gave Rovers the lead, but a 70th minute goal from Rovers nemesis Matt Smith forced the game to a replay.  The winners of the replay will face Premier League opposition of West Ham United or Everton at home.

It is doubtful that Paul Dickov will change the side too much that battled back from two goals down to snatch a late late draw at Oldham at the weekend.  Nathan Tysons return from the subs bench to score Rovers first goal could see him earn a place in the starting line up to replace Theo Robinson.

Rovers have received a major blow in the goalkeeping department with the news that Sam Johnstone has been re-called back to Man United amid rumours of a permanent move to Preston.  Paul Dickov will be in for a long day in the office today trying to sign a replacement  Dean Furman remains on international duty and Cedric Evina remains sidelined.

Bristol City will be looking to continue their good form after their impressive 4-0 win over Notts County at the weekend.  The Robins have only lost once in their last ten games in all competitions and will also take heart from the 3-0 beating they gave Paul Dickovs men in the league at Ashton Gate.  The strikeforce of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Matt Smith will give the Rovers defence plenty of work to do for ninety minutes or maybe even longer.

Paul Dickov’s men are unbeaten in nine games on their travels.  The last defeat coming against Fleetwood back in October.  Heres hoping that goes into double figures tomorrow night and the reward of a Premier League tie in the fourth round.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Bristol City:  P 43/W 11/D 13/L 19

by Rich Colby

After another promising performance last week, Rovers are back to league action this week as they travel to Lancashire to take on Oldham Athletic.

Paul Dickovs men are unbeaten in the last four games. This has mainly come from having a sturdy defence and Dickov has taken action in the last ten days by securing the services of Reece Wabara and Enda Stevens until the end of the season, along with two and a half year deals for Andy Butler and Luke McCollough.

Rovers will be without Dean Furman for the trip to his old club as he has now joined up with South Africa to travel to the Africa Cup Of Nations.  Aside from Furman and Cedric Evina, everyone else should be available.

Oldham haven’t won a game since their defeat to Rovers back at the beginning of December in the FA Cup.  They have scored just the 1 goal and conceded 13 in their last three matches.  Whilst this will be a worry for Lee Johnson it will be a boost to Paul Dickov who will want to take full advantage.  Top scorer and former Rovers player Jonathan Fort will need to be watched carefully by McCullough and co.

Oldham and Rovers sit 13th and 14th respectively in the league, but only three points outside the play-off spots, so both teams will be striving for a win in this one.  I expect goals in a close encounter.

Come on you reds!

Overall record v Oldham:  P 40/W 17/D 15/L 8

by Paul Williams

Maybe the FA Cup is not the draw it once was and a home game in the third round against Bristol City is hardly a glamour tie. But it is a home tie and they have been as rare as snow at Christmas over the last few years.

It is also an opportunity for lower-league clubs to swell the coffers and return of JET (Jay-Emmanuel Thomas) to the Keepmoat is an interesting aspect of the visit of the current League One leaders. The Robins beat Rovers 3-0 at Ashton Gate at the start of the season but PD’s men rather self-destructed that day. Recent results suggest the gaffer may have finally found his best formation but there will have to be some tinkering over the next month as Dean Furman probably plays his final game before jetting off to captain South Africa in the Africa Cup Of Nations while the future of several loan players has yet to be officially decided. Will Richie Wellens also be risked returning from injury?

City manager Steve Cotterill is a bit of a love-hate figure with Rovers fans from previous visits with former clubs – basically, everyone loves to hate him. He has selection problems of his own but City have been taking the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy seriously this season and there’s no reason to suspect that he won’t field his strongest team for a tie that they will also view as winnable, given Rovers’ home record.

Overall record v Bristol City:  P 42/W 11/D 12/L 19