Doncaster Rovers: Fergie sounds warning ahead of Cheltenham Town clash

It might be a case of home sweet home for Doncaster Rovers tomorrow.
Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

But boss Darren Ferguson has warned that Cheltenham Town could prove to be one of their most diffiuclt opponents between now and the end of the season.

The Robins, 18th in League Two, boast promotion-chasing Carlisle United and Luton Town as two of their victims since the turn of the year and arrive at the Keepmoat Stadium unbeaten in four games.

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Having not conceded a goal in six hours and 40 minutes, Gary Johnson’s side also stand 50 minutes away from setting a new club Football League record.

Rovers, unbeaten at home in League Two this season, ground out a 1-0 win at Whaddon Road when the sides met in August.

And Ferguson has warned his table-topping side they will face another stiff examination this weekend.

“I think it’ll be as tough as we’re going to get for the rest of the season,” he said.

“And I’m not just saying that.

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“The two times I’ve watched them they’ve been very impressive. The Luton game a bit ago, which I was at, then the Carlisle game, their last home game. They were outstanding and should have won by four or five.

“They’ve got energy, a handful of a front two. They’re a big, big team. Play three at the back.

“It’s going to be a really tough game, but as I’ve said, most games at this time of the season will be.”

Rovers remain four points clear at the top and 11 ahead of fourth place despite winning only one of their last seven games.

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However, having lost only two in 22, Ferguson’s glass is half full.

“We’ve got to concentrate on getting back to winning ways,” he said.

“The only way I look at it is staying positive.

“If we win we’re bang on the points target and it means we’ve got seven points out of nine. There’s lots to be positive about.

“You look at the two away games [against Cambridge and Crawley], they were tough. We’ve taken four out of six which is not too bad. We’d have liked six out of six. Certainly we’ve got to maintain the points target if we can.”

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Liam Mandeville, who has featured for only 24 minutes this year, is set to return to the Rovers squad after recovering from an ankle injury.

Mitchell Lund could also be named on the bench but fellow defender Joe Wright will be out for another two weeks.