 by The Rovers Review After winning all five games of 2017 so far, Rovers head into February looking to continue the superb run. Fresh injury news coming in from Darren Ferguson is that youngster, Will Longbottom, has taken a 'knock' and as a result will be doubtful for this weekends match. Ferguson has also confirmed that new striker, Alfie May, wouldn't feature either after picking up an injury too. So, as it stands we're a bit light on attackers on the bench. Aaron Taylor-Sinclair has began to do basic warm-up training and Gary McSheffrey isn't too far off, but both players should be training by the end of the month. After not losing a game at home this season, and also being 7 points clear at the top of the table , Ferguson is adamant that the players will not get complacent and that they still have a lot more potential within the team to do better. In addition, Ferguson said that Cedric Evina now needs to compete to get his place back in the side. This comes after Evina failed to move out of the club, during the January transfer window. Head-to-heads Rovers have the best home form the league, as they remain undefeated at the Keepmoat since the start of the season and have collected a total of 36 points from 14 home games, while Morecambe collected 18 points from 12 games on the road. Morecambe have one of the leakiest defences in the league, as they have conceded 43 goals in 25 matches, whereas Rovers have conceded just 34 from 28 matches. Players to watch Striker, Jack Dunn is Morecambe's player to watch, as he has scored 6 goals for the Shrimps this season, however only 2 have come in the league. Midfielder, Kevin Ellison is their joint-second topscorer along with Paul Mullin scoring 5 goals this season for Morecambe. Previous encounters Last time out was in September 2016, where James Coppinger celebrated his 500th appearances for the club, as Rovers triumphed 4-1 with goals from: Andy Butler, John Marquis, Matty Blair and James Coppinger himself. Predicted lineup v Morecambe Lawlor; Blair, Baudry, Butler, Mason; Houghton, Grant, Rowe, Coppinger; Marquis and Williams. 
 by The Rovers Review After winning 3-1 in their last three games, Rovers look far down south to take on Yeovil for the final time this season. Liam Mandeville is back to fitness and will come into contention for the starting 11, but will find it hard to replace Andy Williams and John Marquis. Matty Blair is said to be okay, after coming off with a 'knock' against Crewe during the 3-1 win, last Saturday. Ferguson is looking to ship out four players, such as: Cedric Evina, Mitchell Lund, Reece Fielding and Louis Jones, all on loan. He has said that he'd like to see Evina and Lund especially leave on loan for more game time. At the press conference on Thursday Ferguson alluded to the fact that it's not because of Cedric Evina's ability why he's not featuring, but simply that there is already depth there with Mason doing a good job at left back and Tommy Rowe being able to fit into left wing back if needed, as well Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, who should be returning from injury soon. Head-to-heads Out of the last 8 league games, Rovers have the second best form record in the league behind Exeter City, collecting 19 points. Yeovil aren't in the best form, having earned just 7 points from the last 8 games. Yeovil have a better defensive record than Rovers; they've conceded just 31 goals in 26 matches, whereas Rovers have conceded 34 in 27 matches. Player to watch Striker Francois Zoko is Yeovil's player to watch, as he is their top scorer netting 7 goals for far this season for the Glovers. Previous encounters Last time out at the Keepmoat Rovers won 4-1 with a hat trick from Andy Williams and a goal from James Coppinger back in August. Last time we visited Huish Park was during one of our seasons in league one in August 2014, where we won 3-0 with goals from Curtis Main, Harry Forrester and Theo Robinson. Overall, Rovers have won 5, drawn 2 and lost 8 against Yeovil since 2003. Predicted lineup v Yeovil Town Lawlor; Blair, Butler, Baudry, Mason; Houghton, Grant, Rowe, Coppinger; Marquis and Williams.
 by The Rovers Review Rovers face Crewe Alexandra at the Keepmoat in a hope to keep their undefeated start 2017. Liam Mandeville has now returned from injury, and will come back into contention. He'll be pressuring Andy Williams, who hasn't scored in the league since returning from injury himself. Mitchell Lund is another youngster, who has recovered from injury, but with Matty Blair and Craig Alcock battling over the right-back position you can see that it's going to be hard for Lund to get a shout. Ferguson has even commented that he's looking to send Lund out on a one-month loan during this window. Left-back Tyler Garratt won't be featuring in the first team for the remainder of the season after extending his loan with Eastleigh. This gives Niall Mason a chance to make the left-back position his own, although he needs to make up for his mistakes in previous matches, such as being responsible for Barnet's goal just the other weekend. Head-to-head Rovers remain unbeaten at home this season, while Crewe are poor away from home, picking up a total of 14 points from a possible 39. This match will see David Artell take charge of his second game for Crewe after losing his first. Rovers manager Darren Ferguson will be taking charge of his 70th game v Crewe and will be looking to make it 30 out of 70 wins in charge. Player to watch Loanee Alex Kiwomya is the player to watch for Crewe. He is also Jordan Houghton's team mate from Chelsea and causes a threat from Crewe's midfield. Crewe striker, Ryan Lowe is their top goalscorer with 9 goals scored so far this season. Previous encounters The last encounter with crewe was in September 2016, where we lost 2-1 with goals from Ryan Lowe and James Jones and Tommy Rowe making the defeat less embarrassing, scoring from the penalty spot. Last time Crewe came to the Keepmoat it was the dramatic late 3-2 win before Christmas in 2015. Goals from Conor Grant, Andy Williams and Cameron Stewart earned Rovers three points that day back in league one. Predicted lineup v Crewe Alexandra Lawlor; Blair, Butler, Baudry, Mason; Houghton, Grant, Rowe, Coppinger; Marquis and Williams.
 by The Rovers Review After completing the double over Portsmouth last week, Rovers look to do the double over Barnet this week. Goalkeeper, Marko Marosi, has been ruled out for 3 months after picking up an ankle injury v Portsmouth last week, which was similar to the one Craig Alcock sustained at the beginning of the season. New signing Ian Lawlor will be available for selection, but personally I'd like to see Etheridge given a chance to redeem himself between the sticks. Cedric Evina is believed to be remaining at the club after weeks of discontent. It's reported that Evina had the chance to go on loan to another league two club, but he turned it down after talking to that manager. Evina could return to the squad, and will put pressure on Aston Villa loanee, Niall Mason, who was considered at the 'weak link' against Portsmouth. In-form youngster, Liam Mandeville is 'touch and go' for the game after missing the previous two games due to picking up a 'knock', personally I wouldn't risk him. Head-to-head At home, Barnet have been picking up 1.42 points per game, but Rovers just have the edge on them, because we have earned 1.58 points per game on the road. Rovers sit 4 points clear at top of league two, where as Barnet occupy the last spot in the play-offs, in 7th place. Player to watch John Akinde is Barnet's top goal scorer, with 18 goals so far this season; all of which came in the league. He played a big part in the reverse fixture, as Barnet threw long throw-ins into the box where Akinde then pounced and threatened Rovers goal several times, but never managed to score. Previous encounters We last played Barnet at the Keepmoat in October last year, where it finished 3-2 to the Rovers with goals from: Coppinger, Blair and a late winner from Williams, before he consequently picked up his injury. Last time Rovers travelled to Barnet in the league, was in 1997, where we drew 1-1. Overall, Rovers have won 4, drawn 5 and lost 4 against Barnet in the league since 1991. Predicted lineup v Barnet Etheridge; Blair, Butler, Baudry, Mason; Houghton, Grant, Rowe, Coppinger; Marquis and Williams.
 by The Rovers Review After grinding out a 1-0 victory at home on Monday, Rovers face a visit from fellow league two promotion candidates Portsmouth on Thursday night. Liam Mandeville is expected to miss this encounter due to suffering a slight 'knock' prior to the Stevenage game. Andy Williams and John Marquis are expected to be given a chance to rekindle their partnership upfront against Portsmouth. Conor Grant is expected to keep his place in midfield with his return to the club last week. 18 year-old Tony Donaldson in the last few days signed for Rovers on an 18 month contract and he is expected to make his debut on the bench. Head-to-head Rovers remain unbeaten at home this term, but will they crack under the pressure of Sky's cameras as Portsmouth have won six of their thirteen away games this season? Portsmouth have the best defence in the league as they've only conceded 22 goals in 24 games and Rovers have conceded 31 in just as many games. Players to watch Midfielder Gary Roberts is the player to watch on the Portsmouth team with him being their top goal scorer with 7 goals, and threatened Rovers with an equaliser late on in the previous game, but never managed to score. Roberts is closely followed by striker Michael Smith, who has scored 6 goals, with three coming in the league. Previous encounters Rovers last faced Portsmouth in October at Fratton Park, which saw Rovers be 2-1 victors with goals from John Marquis and Andy Williams. Carl Baker was the only consolation for Portsmouth that day. Overall, Rovers have won 4 and drawn 3 out of 10 encounters against Portsmouth since 1947, so hopefully Rovers good record will continue in front of the TV cameras this Thursday as Rovers look to gain way at top of the league - doing the double over Portsmouth would definitely be a statement to the rest of the league! Predicted lineup v Portsmouth Marosi; Baudry, Butler, Mason; Houghton, Blair, Rowe, Grant, Coppinger; Marquis and Williams.
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