by Rich Colby

With six games to go it appears that Rovers season is all but over.  The 3-2 defeat at Sheffield United on Tuesday evening put Paul Dickov’s men 14 points behind the Blades and 10 off the play-offs.  But the miracle is still mathematically possible as Rovers welcome Rochdale to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Keith Hill’s side have had a fantastic season overall.  Dale currently occupy 7th position in the table, just 4 points off 6th placed Chesterfield with a game in hand.  A win for them at Doncaster would keep up the pressure on the play-off contenders, so don’t expect them to come and settle for a point.  Midfielder Peter Vincenti will be the one to watch, he has notched 14 goals so far this season.

Supporters and former Rovers players have called for Paul Dickov to give some game time to a handful of players from the youth team for the rest of the season.  There are rumours that he might just do this so expect to see Liam Mandville and Harry Middleton possibly in the squad.  It was thoroughly pleasing to see Rovers club captain Rob Jones on the bench on Tuesday night after a long absence, maybe he can expect some playing time too this weekend.  Luke McCullough and Paul Keegan remain doubtful.

The sides last met back in November.  Rovers fell behind after 8 minutes to a goal from Matt Done, but Kyle Bennett equalized after 28 minutes.  Late goals from Theo Robinson and  Curtis Main gave Rovers a 3-1 win and all 3 points.  Last time the sides met at the Keepmoat stadium Rovers registered another victory.  An 89th minute goal from Bongani Khumalo gave Paul Dickov’s men a 1-0 win and a route to Round 2 of the Capital One Cup.

Rovers are undefeated against Rochdale in the last six fixtures.  The last defeat coming in March 1998.  Heres hoping that run stretches to 7 games come 5pm on Saturday.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Rochdale:  P 104/W 53/D 17/L 34

The VSC are in support of Supporter Ownership Week, a celebration of clubs who are supporter owned, which begins today (11th April) with a series of matches across football and Rugby League.

SD has worked alongside supporters for the last 15 years to make the dream of supporter ownership possible, and the week is about celebrating the people who’ve done it, and the people who have taken or are taking the journey.

A crowdfunding campaign is already running alongside the campaign, where you can donate to raise money for SD to provide more support for supporter ownership in the future: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/supporter-ownership-week

There are around 60 matches involving supporter-owned clubs during the week, almost every supporter-owned club being in action. SD has created a special Matchfinder service so that you can watch a match at your local supporter owned club: http://www.supporters-direct.org/supporter-ownership-week/match-finder.

For more information visit http://www.supporters-direct.org/press-release/its-ours-supporter-ownership-week-2015-kicks-off-on-the-pitch

by Rich Colby

It certainly wasn’t a good Friday for Doncaster Rovers when they last took to the field as they slumped to their 14th defeat of the season.  The 3-0 defeat to Bradford City pushed Rovers to 12th in the league, but they must pick themselves up as they prepare to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

No matter what stage of the season, a local derby is always important, and this is one of the first fixtures Rovers fans look for when the list is released each June.

After the weekends results, Paul Dickov’s men now sit ten points outside the play-off places.  You would have to say it is probably too late already, but Rovers would probably have to win most if not all of their remaining games to make the top six.  A win against the Blades would drop that to seven points with six games to go.

Sheffield United have lost just once in their last six games including victories against Port Vale, Scunthorpe and Barnsley. On paper that doesn’t look promising for Rovers, but Paul Dickov’s men are a different animal away from home, so a victory wouldn’t surprise anyone in the Rovers camp.

Victory for the Blades would further secure their place in the top six barring a real collapse.  Midfielder Jason Holt will be the man to watch for them after netting in the last three games.

Rovers have no new injury concerns, but expect a few changes after Friday nights poor show as a furious Paul Dickov faced the media after.

The sides last faced each other back in November at the Keepmoat Stadium where a Jamie Murphy goal gave the Blades all three points.  The goal came just moments after Rovers had missed a penalty.  Rovers last visit to Bramall Lane was in September 2012.  The sides couldn’t be separated as they played out a 0-0 draw.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Sheffield United:  P 32/W 7/D 12/L 13

by Rich Colby

Good Friday sees the start of a busy period for Doncaster Rovers and Paul Dickov and they make the final push in an attempt to reach the illustrious play-offs.  Tenth placed Bradford City are the visitors to the Keepmoat Stadium in a Friday night Yorkshire derby under the lights.

Rovers haven’t played for almost two weeks since their last outing and victory over Coventry City.  Since then, results for teams around them haven’t done as much damage as the league table might suggest.  Rovers have slipped to 11th in the table, but still remain just four points off 6th position having played a game less than three of the five teams above them.  Fridays game could be make or break for both Rovers and the Bantams, with a draw being no good to anybody.

Midfield legend Jamie Coppinger has had a full week of training during the international break and should feature in the squad.  Longer term absentees Paul Keegan and Rob Jones remain doubtful.  Harry Forrester recently featured in the Football League team of the month and will be hoping to keep up his good form with a start.

Bradford will still be reeling after their 1-0 defeat to Chesterfield on Tuesday night.  The defeat cost the Bantams a place in the play-off spots to which Chesterfield took full advantage whilst sneaking into that 6th position themselves.  Striker Jon Stead has always loved a goal against Rovers and the back four will need to keep him quiet to prevent him from doing the same again.  He will be the man to watch for them.

Victory for Rovers would keep them in touch with the play-off places, as would victory for Bradford.  If anyone needs that win just a little bit more though, you would have to say it was Paul Dickovs men.  A defeat and falling six or seven points behind at this stage of the season could equal season over.

The sides last met at Valley Parade back in November last year.  Rovers nemesis Jon Stead struck right on half time to give Bradford the lead, but two goals in the space of ten minutes in the second half, including a stunning strike from Curtis Main gave rovers a 2-1 victory.  The two teams haven’t played at the Keepmoat Stadium since September 2007.  Mark McCammon (2), Lewes Guy, Martin Woods and an own goal gave Rovers a 5-1 victory in the Johnstones Pain Trophy First Round.

Come on you reds!

Overall record Vs Bradford City:  P 76/W 24/D 23/L 29