by The Rovers Review

Rovers will miss their captain as Grimsby Town visit the Keepmoat. James Coppinger will miss this Saturdays game against the Mariners after picking up a straight red card for putting his hands on Argyles keeper McCormick at the weekend, after McCormick taunted Rovers youngster, Liam Mandeville, for missing a penalty.

Harry Middleton, Alfie Beestin and Riccardo Calder are a few possible replacements for James Coppinger. After impressing against Blackpool in the Checkatrade Trophy, Harry Middleton is the player I'd expect to get the nod. That could, in turn, result in Darren Ferguson changing his system by playing Tommy Rowe in Coppinger's position, and putting Middleton on the wing, similar to where he played against Morecambe earlier on in the season.

For the first time this season Rovers have failed to score in a game. If Mandeville and Marquis will get the nod again this week the pressure will be on them both to bounce back. Andy Williams should also be edging closer to his first start since his return from injury.

As it stands, there are no new fresh injury concerns for Rovers - for once.

Head-to-head
Rovers are the second best team at home in the league, and we're joint with Carlisle on points at home (24), but Grimsby have scored one more, and conceded one less than us, at home. Grimsby are the ninth best team in league two for reasons; they've won 4 on the round out of 10, and have collected 15 points out of a possible 30.

Player to watch
Grimsby's 23 year-old striker Omar Bogle is the player to watch, as he's score a whooping 16 goals already this term, with all 16 coming in league games.

Previous encounters
Last time we faced Grimsby was in the former Johnstones Paint Trophy, where we drew 2-2 in November 2007. Grimsby won 5-4 on penalties; goals from Lewis Guy and Paul Heffernan helped Rovers get to the shoot out.

Predicted lineup v Grimsby Town
Marosi; Alcock, Baudry, Butler, Mason; Houghton, Blair, Middleton, Rowe; Mandeville and Marquis.

Due to the lack of home games in December the VSC board have elected to hold the AGM on January 2nd 2017, to be held prior to the Stevenage game. It will be held in the Belle Vue Bar at 11am.

We are also looking for voluntary directors to step forward and nominate themselves. Anyone who fancies helping out over the 12 months please make your self known either on the forum, by PM or send an email to secretary@drfc-vsc.co.uk

Kind regards,

The VSC Board of Directors

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.