 by The Rovers Review After being knocked out of the Checkatrade Trophy to fellow league two partners Blackpool, Rovers look to remain at the summit of the table as we travel to promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle. Andy Williams completed 60 minutes during midweek for his comeback from injury, but isn't expected to start this weekend as the Mandeville and Marquis partnership is expected to continue. Harry Middleton is another player who returned from injury on Tuesday night, and he completed the full 90 plus penalties. Middleton and Keegan were two players in particular who Ferguson was full of praise for because of their attitude during the game on Tuesday. However, with our current midfield the league of Houghton, Blair, Rowe and Coppinger being so in-form at the moment, it's unlikely Middleton and Keegan will start. There are no other fresh injury concerns for Rovers, which is something positive for once. Head-to-head Rovers have won 12 of our games in the league so far this season, and Plymouth are equal to that amount too. They've only lost one more game than us. Rovers haven't failed to score in any of their games this season, and Plymouth have only failed in 4 games not to find the back of the net. Player to watch Plymouth's main goal scoring threat doesn't come from any of their strikers, but it does in fact come from their number 10 midfielder Graham Carey, who currently has 8 goals this term, just one more than Andy Williams and Liam Mandeville. Previous encounters The last time we faced Plymouth was in the championship during 2010 at the Keepmoat, where we lost 2-1. The only consolation was that James Coppinger managed to get a goal during this match. We have actually won 13 times out of 33 games against Argyle since 1935. Predicted lineup v Plymouth Marosi; Alcock, Baudry, Butler, Mason; Houghton, Blair, Rowe, Coppinger; Mandeville and Marquis. 
 by The Rovers Review VSC preview: After making it a 100% win rate through November, Rovers look to get off to a flying start in December by topping the table with a win over Stevenage. Andy Williams is fit and has recovered from his injury, but is unlikely to make the starting 11 because of Mandeville and Marquis's form upfront since his injury. Mandeville himself could extend his goal scoring form to four consecutive games, if he manages to snatch a goal v Stevenage this weekend. His fellow striking partner John Marquis could extend his goal tally to 11 if he manages to score. Back-up goalkeeper Ross Etheridge may be a doubt, due to him missing last weeks game through a dislocated finger, and that gives the opportunity to young keeper Louis Jones to be back-up keeper. Head-to-heads Rovers are the only team to have not scored in any of their games so far this season, in all competitions. Stevenage have only failed to score in four games, so it's likely to be an entertaining game. Both teams are quite low with keeping clean sheets, as we've only kept four out of 18 and Stevenage have only kept three. Previous encounters There hasn't been many previous encounters, but we've played them three times since 2012 and we've only won one against Stevenage. During the only victory in 2013, the goals were scored by Iain Hume and Rob Jones. The victory was a 2-1 away from home. Lets hope for more of the same! Predicted lineup v Stevenage Town Marosi; Alcock, Baudry, Butler, Mason; Houghton, Blair, Rowe, Coppinger; Marquis and Mandeville.
 by The Rovers Review After a deserved 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United last week, Rovers turn to struggling Leyton Orient for three points this Saturday. Liam Mandeville will be given another start after scoring in his last two games, and he's been set a challenge to keep Williams out of the team, who is expected return next week against Stevenage. One player who was missing from squad against Hartlepool was Riccardo Calder, so there could possibly be an injury or illness in that area keeping him out, however you would presume that he would be on the bench. Cedric Evina will most likely be kept out of the squad by the versatile Niall Mason, who is now adapting to life at left back after having a good performance last Saturday. After the Hartlepool match Ferguson said Marosi should be okay for Orient, and with Etheridge suffering a broken finger against the Pool, Marosi is the favourite to get the nod. Craig Alcock seems to have earned his place back in the squad too when he picked up 'Man of the Match' vs Hartlepool and linked up well with Matty Blair on the right. Head-to-heads Rovers will continue to defend their unbeaten home record in the league, which could be extended until December if we prevail against managerless Orient. Orient have picked up 50% of their wins this season away from home, which is decent considering they stand in 22nd in the league. We've met before One of Orients strikers, Jordan Bowery, spent a short while with us on loan from Aston Villa in 2014, making three appearances but scoring no goals. Currently for Orient, after signing this year, he has made 13 appearances, scoring one goal. Previous encounters The last time we both met was in April 2015, where we beat them 1-0 at their ground with a second half goal from former defender Rob Jones. Since 1954, we've played Orient 31 times, winning just 11 of those encounters. Predicted lineup v Leyton Orient Marosi; Alcock, Butler, Baudry, Mason; Houghton, Rowe, Blair, Coppinger; Mandeville and Marquis.
by The Rovers Review
More injury setbacks arise this week, but Rovers look to build on their previous 1-3 comeback away at Exeter last weekend, as Rob Jones and Billy Paynter return to the Keepmoat. Striker, Andy Williams, has been ruled out for a bit more longer, due to suffering food poison. The 30 year-old striker was due to return on 3rd December but now it is looking more like mid-December when he'll return as, due to the food poising, he will have missed some time off of his rehabilitation. This opens up the opportunity for 19 year-old Liam Mandeville, who came on as sub v Exeter and scored one and assisted two, making it into 'EFL Team of the Week'. Mandeville I'm sure will be given a chance to start next to current Rovers top goal scorer John Marquis, who is one goal away from double figures. Frazer Richardson looks like he has played his last game in a Rovers shirt due to him suffering a knee ligament injury, which will keep him out for the remainder of his contract. This doesn't worry me if - and that's a big if - Niall Mason or Craig Alcock don't pick up any injuries. Andy Butler will be touch and go for the game so I'd be in favour of resting him and letting Wright and Baudry have a chance at center backs. Tommy Rowe also completed 90 minutes against Exeter last weekend without any issues, so he should be fine for Hartlepool. Head-to-heads Rovers are undefeated at home so far this season in the league and Hartlepool have lost 38% of their away matches so far, which sees them sitting 15th in the league. Rovers have scored 33 goals in the league, and Hartlepool are behind on 25 so far this season. In addition, we score on average 2.06 goals per match and Hartlepool score 1.56 goals per match. We've met before Two former Rovers players could feature at the Keepmoat on Saturday. First one is former captain and interim manager (before Ferguson was appointed), Rob Jones. The 37 year-old signed for Hartlepool as a free agent in March 2016 after being released by Ferguson a month prior; the center back has gone on to make 10 appearances for the Pool since. Dormer striker Billy Paynter, who was involved in famous 0-1 victory against Brentford for promotion to the Championship in 2013, now plays for Hartlepool and has scored 16 goals in his last 44 appearances for the club. Previous encounters with Hartlepool Last time we met was at the Keepmoat in 2013 in league one, where Rovers beat Hartlepool 3-0 with goals from: Iain Hume, James Coppinger, and yes, of course - Billy Paynter. Overall, Rovers have won 37 games out of 99 games v Hartlepool since 1924. Predicted lineup v Hartlepool United Marosi; Alcock, Wright, Baudry, Evina; Houghton, Blair, Rowe, Coppinger; Mandeville and Marquis.
by The Rovers Review
After qualifying through to the next round of the Checkatrade Trophy, Rovers look back to the league as they travel to inconsistent Exeter City. Marko Marosi is fit again and is expected to retain the number one spot. Etheridge kept a clean sheet against Port Vale in the cup, but did make a few mistakes. Craig Alcock and Frazer Richardson are back in contention, causing pressure on the current defense. Andy Butler is fit for the game but may be rested, which could mean that Joe Wright is given another chance to form a partnership with Baudry, who continues to impress despite being played in midfield against Port Vale. The pressure may be on for Jordan Houghton, who is also fighting for a regular position in the team. One thing is for sure, and that is that Ferguson has some serious selection headaches defensively now we're getting more numbers back, with Mitchell Lund and Luke McCullough being the only defensive players currently injured. One player to watch out for at Exeter is 16-year-old Ethan Ampadu, who has impressed in recent performances. They don't seem to have a large goal threat, however, with their top goal scorers all sharing 3 goals between them. The last time we faced Exeter was in December 2004, where we lost 2-1 at St James Park to be knocked out of the FA Cup. Last time we played them in the League was way back in January 1998, where Rovers were thrashed 5-1. Overall, Rovers have won 22 games out of 45 games played v Exeter. Predicted lineup v Exeter City Marosi; Alcock, Butler, Wright, Evina; Baudry, Houghton, Blair, Rowe, Coppinger; Marquis
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