Doncaster Boss Sean O'Driscoll On Tomorrow

Last updated : 26 February 2008 By Thetashkentterror
Sean O'Driscoll
Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll spoke to the Doncaster Free Press about the big promotion clash at Brunton Park tomorrow, O'Driscoll confident that his side, unbeaten away from home since September 22nd and looking for a club record 12th league away game without defeat, can take all three points against Carlisle :


"When you look at those games (away to Carlisle, Tranmere and Bristol Rovers) they seem quite formidable on paper and a point from each might be thought of as a good return. It would be great to get through those matches with our unbeaten away run intact but a draw in each fixture is just three points.

"If we were to win one of the games it would give us the same return with two more chances to pick up points and that's the way we will approach the task. It's not our style to go into any game in the league thinking we will be happy with a point.

"I know that if we are on song we are capable of winning at home or away and that's how we will approach Saturday's game. But talk is cheap and it's how you perform that dictates what you get from a game. They are a really good team and it's going to be a very difficult game but we are chomping at the bit to play after the Leeds match was called off and all the players are eager and confident.

"The support we have had away from home has been superb all season and it really does help the players. Our last away game was at Bournemouth during the week but our fans went down there and actually outshouted the home support. When you think of the distance involved and the fact that some people had to be up for work next day it's fantastic and the players really appreciate it.

"Although he was training fine, Lewis (Guy) had complained about feeling tired and going home after training and sleeping all the time so that set the alarm bells ringing. Physio John Dickens decided to check him out and when the blood test came back they said that Lewis had contacted glandular fever.

"Hopefully the fact that we have diagnosed it as quickly as have will help speed up his recovery. We've sent Lewis away for a couple of weeks in the sun and hopefully he'll come back fit and raring to go."



Meanwhile Doncaster's substitute goalkeeper Ben Smith commented :

"We've worked hard to get to where we are and we don't want to lose it. We've got a difficult game at Carlisle tomorrow but we'll go there looking to pick up a win. I know some people would be happy with a point in view of how well they are playing at home. But if we were to come away with all three points it could make a massive difference come the end of the season."



As O'Driscoll has mentioned Rovers striker Lewis Guy is resting for a fortnight as he looks to recover from glandular fever, that possibly paving the way for the matchday sixteen debuts of January transfer window loan signings Stuart Elliott (Hull) and Gareth Taylor (Tranmere).

The visitors had been due to give late fitness tests to winger James Coppinger (shoulder) and right-back James O'Connor (groin) this afternoon before leaving for Carlisle, although boss O'Driscoll was confident that both players would be able to take part in tomorrow's big game.

Four players definitely out of action for Rovers though are top scorer James Hayter (double hernia), who scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier this season, and defender Gordon Greer (hip). Meanwhile Martin Woods and Matthew Noble are out on loan to Yeovil Town and Guiseley respectively.


The referee for tomorrow's match is Lee Probert from Bristol, and he will be assisted down the lines by Gary Stott from Eccles in Greater Manchester and Barry Sygmuta from Northallerton in North Yorkshire. Meanwhile the fourth official is Mark Haywood from Wakefield in West Yorkshire.