by The Rovers Review

Darren Ferguson is feeling confident ahead of the big South Yorkshire derby against Rotherham.

After missing the 6-2 victory over Ebbsfleet in the first round of the FA Cup, Joe Wright and Ben Whiteman have the all clear to return back to the team after completing training all week.
Will Longbottom will return to training next week following his injury, while long-term absentees Alex Kiwomya and Luke McCullough are back running on the grass as part of their rehabilitation.

Paul Warne’s Rotherham has had a positive start to life back in League One following relegation last season, as they sit just outside the play-off places in 7th position, but that doesn’t faze Rovers manager Darren Ferguson, “We go into Saturday’s game in a confident mood and the players quite rightly should be confident.
“I want my players to have composure and player the way we want to. I’m looking forward to it,” said Ferguson ahead of this Saturday.

Rotherham are without a win in their last three games, while Rovers have won two of their last three league games. Away from home, Rotherham have collected just seven points from eight games, but Rovers’ home form isn’t much better, only picking nine points from eight games at the Keepmoat.

It has been ten years since Rovers last met their rivals. In their last meeting, Rovers were on the winning end of the entertaining 3-2 victory at the Keepmoat Stadium in front of a crowd of over 12,000. Two goals from Paul Heffernan and a goal from Graeme Lee canceled out Rotherham’s strikes from Richie Partridge and Martin Woods that day.

by The Rovers Review

Rovers travel to Ebbsfleet on the opening day of round one of the FA Cup and Rovers manager and Darren Ferguson has called for his players to stamp their authority on the non-league side.

After leaving the pitch injury stricken on Tuesday night, Andy Williams is believed to be fit enough to feature against Ebbsfleet this Saturday as the back injury he sustained on Tuesday night isn't believed to be as serious as first thought.

Elsewhere, Baudry and Alcock have come through the Scunthorpe game with no problems but Joe Wright has suffered a slight hamstring injury that is nothing too concerning to keep him out for weeks so he is likely to just miss this one game.

Darren Ferguson has confirmed that his team will be the same as the one that faced Bury, minus Joe Wright.

Ebbsfleet currently sits 13th in the Vanarama Nationa League after gaining promotion to the top non-league division last season.
So far they're 18 games in and have picked up 5 wins and 3 defeats while drawing 10 games.

Should Rovers only manage a draw down South there will be a replay at the Keepmoat on the 14th November 2017.

by The Rovers Review

Darren Ferguson has called for a ‘tougher mentality’ as Rovers prepare to visit struggling Bury.

Striker Andy Williams has been absent for the majority of the season after suffering an injury in a Checkatrade Trophy game earlier in the season, but Ferguson has declared him fully fit and he may be “quite close” to being involved in the team this Saturday.

After having a child in the summer and losing his brother to cancer a few months ago, Matty Blair was given last week off work – meaning he missed the 3-0 home defeat to Walsall – but he will return this Saturday and come straight back into contention.

Rovers are currently going through tough patch of form where they’re struggling to get a grasp on the league because they’re consistently being inconsistent with their performances and results alike. Ferguson acknowledges Rovers’ current form, but says it’s part and parcel of football, “One minute you’re very excited and you’re very optimistic and you’re thinking, 'well I’ve got to keep their feet on the ground', and the next minute it can be, ‘well I’ve got to pick them up again because we’re feeling dejected and very pessimistic'. That’s just the emotion of football.” He said.

Going into this game Rovers do have the slightly better defence out of the two teams, with Bury conceding 23 goals in their last 15 games and Rovers conceding 20. The amount of goals both teams have leaked in this season reflects their league positions, which leaves them with only one place between the pair, with Bury sitting 22nd (in the relegation zone), while Rovers lay 20th – three points clear of the drop zone.

The last time Rovers travelled to Gigg Lane they lost 1-0 in April 2016, which contributed to the then 17 game win-less run Ferguson’s team went on. The last win against Bury came at the Keepmoat in 2012, where Rovers beat Bury 2-1 thanks to goals from Kyle Bennett and Chris Brown.

by The Rovers Review

Assistant manager, Gavin Strachan thinks Rovers need to be wary of Walsall's character.

Strachan said that Walsall are a team that like to change their system and can easily adapt to a game, meaning Rovers need to be on the ball on Saturday to have a chance of making it three wins from four.

After missing the 2-1 win over Portsmouth midweek, James Coppinger is set to return to fitness following his short spell on the side-line, should he not react from his training on Thursday.

Andy Williams may not make the cut this weekend as he may not be fit in time, but Strachan insists he is "chomping at the bit", to back out on the pitch.

After serving his suspension John Marquis comes back into the foray, meaning Mandeville now could have a partner at the side of him up top. However, after the Portsmouth win Ferguson indicated he could possibly stick with the same system in the future that earned the three points on Tuesday night.

Walsall haven't won in five game - drawing four against MK Dons, Blackpool Shrewsbury and Charlton, leaving Jon Whitney's team one spot above Rovers in the league.

Rovers haven't had rub of the green against The Sadlers in recent years; the last time Walsall visited the Keepmoat it ended in a 2-1 defeat with Liam Mandeville earning a consolation goal for Rovers that February evening. Rovers' last win came in August 2012, where Rovers cruised to a 3-0 victory away from home with goals from Chris Brown, David Cotterill and Kyle Bennett.

Save