Doncaster Rovers v Plymouth Argyle Match Preview
by The Rovers Review
Darren Ferguson is expecting a tough encounter as Rovers welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Keepmoat.
The Rovers manager made it obvious that he’s not expecting an easy ride as he welcomes Derek Adams’ team who are unbeaten in their last seven games – seeing them rise to 11th in the league.
“They’re very similar to ourselves, they’ve managed to grow into the league and get confidence from recently being unbeaten in seven games – I think – it will be a hard game.
“We know them well. There hasn’t been much change between both club’s personnel rise and in terms of how we both play, so it will be a tough game with both teams in pretty good form. We’re at home and we want to take the game to them.”
On the injury front, Rovers are looking very healthy with no new issues and long-term absentees Alex Kiwomya and Luke McCullough are increasing their training programme, with Ferguson saying they’re looking “sharp”. It was confirmed they will both be involved in the upcoming development games before featuring in first-team games.
Rovers are strengthened by the return of Ben Whiteman as the 21-year-old was recalled from his loan last week, but he has returned for an undisclosed six-figure fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He will come straight back into Darren Ferguson’s thinking.
After earning three consecutive clean sheets over Christmas, it means that Rovers now have the fifth best defensive record in the league, after conceding just 28 goals in 26 games. Plymouth don’t have the best attack in the league either, as they boast the 18th worst goals for stat, scoring only 29 goals in 26 games.
When away from home the Pilgrims have a 38% record of being one goal down at half-time.
The last time these teams met was in the reverse fixture this season at Home Park where Rovers beat a 10-man Plymouth 3-0 with goals from Andy Butler, John Marquis and Alfie May.
Their previous visit to the Keepmoat, however, ended in a win for Plymouth as Sonny Bradley’s second-half goal was the only thing to separate both sides.
