by Rich Colby

Doncaster will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend as they face Gillingham at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Tuesday nights 1-0 defeat at home to Notts Counts sadly means that Rovers were eliminated from the Johnstones Paint Trophy, leaving just the league and FA Cup fixtures to focus on.  It also means that as Rovers go into the game on Saturday, they still have the unwanted record of just one home win all season.  While away form is good, the home form remains something that Paul Dickov really needs to find a solution for.

Changes to the side are to be expected as Paul Dickov rung the changes during the week.  Reece Wabara, Enda Stevens, Paul Keegan, Jamie Coppinger and Richie Wellens are all in line for recalls to the side.  Cedric Evina remains sidelined.

Gillingham currently occupy 20th position in the league table,  four places below Doncaster and both sides will be looking for the three points to push them up the table.  The Gills have won just one league game in the last ten, but Rovers will need to keep striker Cody McDonald quiet in order to get anything from the game.

The last time the two sides faced each other was in March 2008 where Rovers won the game 2-1.  A goal from James Coppinger and a second half penalty gave Sean O’Driscolls men victory.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Gillingham:  P 55/W 12/D 13/L 30

by Rich Colby

Doncaster Rovers return to the Keepmoat Stadium tonight for the first time in four games to face Notts County in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

Rovers last featured in the competition back on 7th October beating Burton Albion 3-0 and have since had to postpone the Notts County game twice due to other match commitments.  Whilst all other teams and fighting it out in the area Semi-Finals this week, Paul Dickov’s men will still be playing the quarter final.  The winners receive a home tie against Preston North End in the Semis.

Doncaster will be looking to continue their excellent form, loosing just once in the last eight games.  But they will be hoping for a change of fortune at their home of the Keepmoat Stadium after winning just once all season in front of the Rovers faithful.

Notts County qualified for the quarter finals after defeating Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park back in October.  Two goals in the first half won the tie 2-1 for The Magpies.  The men from Meadow Lanes form is patchy at the moment.  After recent good results against Sheffield United and Coventry, they have also been knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two Accrington Stanley and lost in the league to relegation threatened Yeovil Town.  The man to watch for them will be the experienced goalkeeper and former Manchester United shot stopper Roy Carroll.

Rovers only injury doubt is Nathan Tyson.  Paul Dickov has revealed that Jamie Coppinger has been struggling with a dead leg for the last three weeks, and Ritchie Wellens has a slight back strain; however both should feature though.  Dickov may change the lineup slightly with games coming thick and fast, but he won’t want to disrupt momentum too much.

Paul Dickov’s side are just four games from Wembley and insists this competition is of high priority.  Heres coping the club and fans can keep dreaming on Tuesday night.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Notts County:  P 51/W 23/D 7/L 21

by Rich Colby

Paul Dickov returns to Oldham for the first time since his departure two years ago as Rovers travel to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup.

FA Cup ties are always special occasions and both sides will be wanting victory and progress to Round 3 here, where they could hit the money spinning jackpot of facing a top Premier League side.  The game at Boundary Park will be played out by two teams who are both currently very hard to beat.  Rovers have lost just once in the last seven games and Oldham have lost just once in the last three months.

Rovers turnaround has definitely coincided with the arrivals on loan of Sam Johnstone and Andy Butler; both natural organizers and leaders. But Paul Dickov will still be looking for more from his team.  Although the recent 1-1 draws at Crewe and Barnsley could be deemed as good results, Rovers did plenty to win both games comfortably.

Paul Dickov has no fresh injury concerns going into the game.  Nathan Tyson could return and Rob Jones should also be available for selection.  Rovers will have to keep an eye on Oldham's in form striker and former employee Jonathan Forte.  Forte has 13 goals to his name already this season and will be looking to add to that tally against his former club.

Rovers last played Oldham in the FA Cup in December 2012 and slumped to a 3-1 defeat.  Paul Dickov was in charge of the Latics that day and will be hoping to reverse the result for his current employers.  After Doncaster took and early lead through a Robbie Blake goal, a strike on half time from Reece Wabara and two second half goals from Matt Derbyshire won the game for Oldham.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Oldham:  P 39/W 16/D 15/L 8

by Rich Colby

You can’t beat a South Yorkshire derby under the floodlights, and that’s exactly what is in store tonight as Doncaster Rovers make the short trip to Oakwell to face Barnsley.

Without tempting fate, Paul Dickov’s men seem to be on the rise at the moment with just one defeat in the last six games in all competitions.  Rovers will be looking for that continuity tonight.  League one is as tight as ever and a run of good results over the December period could propel Rovers up to the top end of the table.

Barnsley currently lie one place above Rovers with only goal difference separating the two teams.  The Tykes will be looking to reverse their latest form too after losing their last couple of games by the odd goal. Rovers will have to break past former shot stopper Ross Turnbull if they want the points at Oakwell, as well as keeping out a man who I’m sure would love a goal more than anyone tonight – Marcello Trotta.

Paul Dickov has no fresh injury concerns with only Cedric Evina set to miss out.  After Rovers more consistent form of late the side will likely remain close to unchanged.

Rovers haven’t tasted victory at Barnsley since March 2010 when a James Coppinger goal was the difference between the two teams.  I’m sure we’d settle for the same tonight.  The last time the teams faced each other in February this year at the Keepmoat Stadium, they played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw.

Come on you reds!

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

by Rich Colby

Paul Dickov’s men travel to bottom of the table Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, with the aim of winning back to back league games for the first time since March.  Confidence should be back amongst the Rovers side after solid victories recently over Weston Super Mare and Rochdale, and also three wins in the last four games.

Last Saturdays late winning goals by Theo Robinson and Curtis main pushed Rovers up to 16th in the table and they will be looking to move up to mid table with victory at Gresty Road.

The hosts from Cheshire are battling hard with a very young side on a limited budget.  Crewe are currently three points from safety and will be striving for victory just as much as Rovers.  The Railwaymen are without a victory in their last six games but Rovers will still have to keep a close eye on loanee striker Nicky Ajose.  The Leeds striker knows where the goal is after scoring 17 goals last season for Swindon and Peterborough in League One.

Rovers only injury worry is left back Cedric Evina who remains sidelined.  Midfielder Jamie Coppinger should be ok to play despite being taken off last week at Rochdale.  Rob Jones could also feature in the squad.

Heres hoping for another successful away day and 3 points to move Rovers further up the table.

Come on you reds!

Overall record v Crewe:  P 94 / W 39 / D 24 / L 31