by Adam Stubbings

A lean spell is in danger of becoming a slump, and Rovers potentially most crucial spell of the season begins against local rivals Scunthorpe United this Saturday. The trip to Glanford Park is followed in successive weekends throughout February by derby matches with South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United and Barnsley, and having failed to turn up in recent matches the team will need to step up their game in order to recover a faultering season.

The Iron have become our most bitter rivals in recent seasons as the two clubs have had virtually parallel fortunes, both enjoying unlikely spells in the Championship and subsequent setbacks. Scunthorpe are also our closest geographical rivals which has helped to fuel the fire in the feud.

Scunthorpe ended a seven game losing run against Rovers on Boxing Day as they came away from the Keepmoat with three precious points on Christmas courtesy of a lone goal from top scorer Paddy Madden. The manager who masterminded that victory, Mark Robins, has since been relieved of his duties at the club and they are currently searching for his replacement.

But, the Clarets are on the up in the league having struggled for much of the season, and going into this weekend's game are up to 13th in the table. They have won their last two games and sit two points clear of Rovers, who now languish in 16th place after successive home defeats in the last week, as far away from the Play Offs as they are the bottom four. A four game unbeaten run in the league has quickly turned into a four match winless run and whilst injuries have taken their toll over a busy period of fixtures, things just have not been gelling right on the field recently for Rovers.

Lynden Gooch was among a host of players in red and white who came under fire for their performances in the midweek loss to Walsall, and the potential return of Nathan Tyson could mean the Sunderland loanee loses his place. Another pushing for that spot is academy graduate Liam Mandeville, who netted the first goal of his senior career in that loss and has put in a string of strong performances from the bench of late. Chris Neal should continue in goal after a solid debut with Thorsten Stuckmann still out injured, and defensive improvements could come if Andy Butler can shake off a recent injury problem too.