by Paul Williams

Us and Barnsley have more in common than we’d like to admit. Our industry and economy has been decimated over the last 30 years but we still delight in taking every opportunity to poke fun at our respective stereotypes and this is a proper local derby, unlike those sham ones against the mighty Sheffield clubs.

No doubt the coal carts will be clogging up the road between Dingle Dell and the Keepmoat again this Saturday. Barnsley fans reckon there will be 3,000 supporters in the North Stand, though when you’re all out of fingers and toes at 24 it’s hard to say how accurate that estimate will be.

What we don’t like is Tommy Tyke and his chums getting all uppity because they happen to be higher than us in the league at present - pride before a fall and all that! They think they’ve stolen a gem from us in the shape of Reece Wabara (who ironically refused a new contract in the summer as he wanted to play at a higher level, though I suppose Barnsley is more elevated than Doncaster in geographical terms).

Paul Dickov once described Wabara as a superb athlete – unfortunately he just seems to suffer from occasional memory losses during which, for 90 minutes, he forgets he’s a footballer.

The form book suggests we might struggle to give the Tykes their annual beating this time but our near-neighbours are still a work in progress themselves and due a bad one after beating high-flying Gillingham last Saturday.

Things are slowly improving under Rob Jones and, though the big man will be back on the touchline again this weekend, we could have some joy if we can get Keshi Anderson on the ball enough to force Barnsley backwards and we all know Copps loves playing against this lot more than anyone else.