Doncaster Rovers - R T I D

Sky Sports have reported that a number of League One clubs are checking on Rovers striker Paul Heffernan, who has so far not featured in any of Rovers’ Championship games this season. Heffernan has dropped down the pecking order at Rovers, and with Darren Byfield and Jason Price close to regaining full fitness, his chances in the near future appear to be limited.
It has been reported that Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Milton Keynes Dons are all keeping a close eye on the situation.

Doncaster Rovers have announced that a number of arrangements have been made for anyone using the Keepmoat Stadium car parks for the rest of the season, starting from today. The intention is that these arrangments will speed your departure after matches, and ease traffic flow after matches. These arrangements will be supervised and have been put in place by the local police.
Anyone parking in Car Park 1 will have to turn left and proceed to the Ladybank roundabout.
Anyone parking in Car Park 2 will have to turn left and proceed to the Ladybank roundabout, although you will also be able to turn right into Carriage Drive.
Anyone parking in Car Park 3 will have to turn right out of the car park to go past the Sorting Office to reach White Rose Way.

The second home game of the season is likely to see Sean O’Drisocll name an unchanged starting eleven after deciding to stick with the players who played at Queens Park Rangers. He said: “Apart from the two poor goals, there were a lot of good things to come out of the QPR game so I am not in a rush to make changes. I’ve had the options to change one or two things every game we’ve played, but we felt that we didn’t need to do that. I’m not one to make wholesale changes anyway.”
That means that strikers Jason Price and Darren Byfield, tipped by some for a return, will have to settle for a place on the bench at best, with O’Driscoll adding: “They have both trained well all week and if they come through today’s session then they will both be added to the squad. They probably couldn’t get through a full game at the moment and there is no point taking risks with them. We have a match arranged against Leeds United next week when we have a break for internationals and they will probably get a run out then.”
Matt Mills will keep his place in the side after it was confirmed that he had not broken his jaw in last weekend’s game, and he has trained all week. An X-Ray showed no break, and the swelling from the clash went down quickly, enabling him to resume training.
Coventry striker Freddy Eastwood looks to have won his battle to regain fitness and is likely to be named in their squad for today’s match. He took part in Wednesday’s training session and will be included as long as he suffers no adverse reaction.
Goalkeeper Kieren Westwood, formerly with Carlisle, has also resumed training after recovering from a dislocated thumb. Striker Leon Best trained for the first time since recovering from a knee injury, although today’s match will come too soon for Best to be considered.
With right back Steven Wright absent with an achilles tendon injury, boss Chris Coleman has been attempting to bring in a replacement in time to play today. If not, Icelandic international midfielder Aron Gunnarsson is likely to switch to right back, giving Michael Doyle a start in central midfield. Jay Tabb is suffering from blisters on his feet, but could have an injection to enable him to play.

Source :- www.doncasterrovers.co.uk

Darren Byfield is set to be included in the squad today for the first time since his transfer in the summer after recovering from hernia surgery. However, Jason Price, who has trained this week after recovering from a foot injury, is not likely to be included, with Rovers arranging a behind-closed-doors match against Leeds United for next week, when he will be given the chance to play. “Jason has trained really well this week and he finally looks to be over his ankle injury,” said Dickens.
Matt Mills has been passed fit after recovering from a knock taken on his jaw last weekend, leaving only longer term injury victims Sean McDaid and Gordon Greer.
Greer has resumed running after his second hip operation, and McDaid is hoping to step up his recovery schedule, although he may need an injection to make progress. John Dickens, the Rovers’ physio, said: “We’ll look at the knee again towards the end of next week and what improvement the injection has made and assess what to do next.

Source : - www.doncasterrovers.co.uk

Doncaster Rovers return to the Keepmoat Stadium this weekend, with Coventry City the guests in what promises to be an enthralling Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

With Chris Coleman in charge, City fans will be hoping that he cuts the mustard with the side that finished only one point away from relegation last season.

The Rovers will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at the hands of a big and powerful Queens Park Rangers side at Loftus Road. An early Dexter Blackstock goal from a set play and a quickly taken opportunity from Emannuel Ledesma condemned Sean O’Driscoll’s team to their first defeat in the Championship this season.

The visitors arrive at the Keepmoat off of the back of a 3-2 midweek defeat at the hands of Newcastle United in the second round of the Carling Cup, but the RICOH Arena outfit have, much like the Rovers, had a very good start to the campaign. Back to back wins in the first two games of the season against Norwich City and Barnsley put Chris Coleman’s side on their way this term - however their last league outing saw Bristol City comfortably beat the Sky Blues by three goals to nil.

Two strong footballing sides against each other once again at the Keepmoat Stadium - it’s going to be anything but boring.

Team News - Doncaster Rovers
Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll could welcome injured strike pair Jason Price and Darren Byfield back into the squad, however there is more chance of the two, who have recovered from foot and hernia injuries respectively, starting on the bench.

Defender Matthew Mills’ x-rays on his jaw following a clash with QPR’s Dexter Blackstock revealed that the centre back has not suffered a fracture as first feared. Mills has trained with the Rovers all week.

Sean McDaid (knee) and Gordon Greer (hip) are still sidelined.

Team News - Coventry City
To follow

One to Watch - Jay Tabb
Talented midfielder Jay Tabb joined Coventry City from Brentford for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2006.

Rated as one of the brightest young prospects in League One, the 23-year-old signed a three-year deal and came with glowing recommendations from the Brentford fans and management.

Tabb has been capped for the Republic of Ireland at B and Under 21 level and, along with fellow Coventry player Michael Doyle, was also called-up by then first team manager Steve Staunton in May 2007 for the senior friendly against Chile.

The Sky Blues’ 2007/08 campaign was his most successful season by far in a Coventry shirt though, his consistent performances virtually ensuring he was one of the first names on the City teamsheet.

He capped off last season by being voted the club’s Player of the Year.

Profile courtesy of Coventry City Official Website

Head to Head
The Rovers have faced Coventry City on ten occasions, with the Rovers having the edge over the Sky Blues in terms of wins. Doncaster Rovers have emerged winners on four occasions, with City winning three encounters. The remaining three games in total have ended in a draw.

Coventry have never won on Doncaster soil - with the home side winning three games played at Belle Vue, whilst two more ended in draws. On Doncaster soil, the Rovers have scored 12 goals against Coventry, whilst the Sky Blues have only scored three against Doncaster.

The two sides last met at Belle Vue in the old Second Division on Saturday 29th March 1952. The Rovers won that game 1-0, thanks to a goal from Kit Lawlor.

Officials

Referee: Mr. R Shoebridge
Assistant Referees: Mr. S Hutchinson
Mr. K Mattocks
Fourth Official: Mr. J Tyas

Doncaster Rovers youth team player Richard Caine has been selected for the Wales Under-16 National Development Squad for their tri-nations tournament in Belfast, in which they will play against the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Caine is described as a midfielder/striker, who is strong and has plenty of pace. The squad comprises of around thirty players, with the young talent being identified from the Welsh Football Trust’s grassroots development programme. The tournament will be played over two days this week, with all three of the nations playing each other twice. The tournament winners will be decided on Friday.

Source :- www.doncasterrovers.co.uk

Premiership

Saturday, 30 August 2008
Arsenal v Newcastle, 17:30
Bolton v West Brom, 15:00
Everton v Portsmouth, 15:00
Hull v Wigan, 15:00
Middlesbrough v Stoke, 15:00
West Ham v Blackburn, 15:00

Sunday, 31 August 2008
Aston Villa v Liverpool, 16:00
Chelsea v Tottenham, 13:30
Sunderland v Man City, 15:00

Championship

Barnsley v Derby, 15:00
Bristol City v QPR, 15:00
Burnley v Plymouth, 15:00
Doncaster v Coventry, 15:00
Norwich v Birmingham, 15:00
Preston v Charlton, 15:00
Reading v Crystal Palace, 15:00
Sheff Utd v Cardiff, 15:00
Southampton v Blackpool, 12:45
Swansea v Sheff Wed, 15:00
Watford v Ipswich, 17:20
Wolverhampton v Nottm Forest, 15:00

League 1

Brighton v Leyton Orient, 15:00
Carlisle v Yeovil, 15:00
Cheltenham v Leicester, 15:00
Colchester v Oldham, 15:00
Hereford v Crewe, 15:00
Leeds v Bristol Rovers, 15:00
Millwall v Huddersfield, 15:00
Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon, 15:00
Peterborough v Hartlepool, 15:00
Stockport v Scunthorpe, 15:00
Tranmere v Northampton, 15:00
Walsall v Southend, 15:00

League 2

Aldershot v Bradford, 15:00
Brentford v Rotherham, 15:00
Chester v Barnet, 15:00
Chesterfield v Wycombe, 15:00
Exeter v Luton, 15:00
Gillingham v Accrington Stanley, 15:00
Lincoln City v Grimsby, 15:00
Macclesfield v Darlington, 15:00
Morecambe v Dag & Red, 15:00
Notts County v Shrewsbury, 15:00
Port Vale v Bournemouth, 15:00
Rochdale v Bury, 15:00

Doncaster Rovers winger Craig Nelthorpe has today joined Conference North side Gateshead on a three-month loan.

The 21 year-old has been on the fringes of the Rovers first team for two seasons; however the presence of experienced midfielders in Sean O’Driscoll’s squad has resulted in Nelthorpe only featuring limited times for the Rovers.

Nelthorpe, who signed a contract extension this summer, has made 10 appearances in his Rovers career for the first team, netting a single goal in the 2006/07 season in the final home game that term against Northampton Town.

It will be the second time that Nelthorpe has spent time on loan at The Tynesiders, as the product of the Rovers youth system also spent a period on loan to the non-league team during his first season as a professional player.

Last season, Nelthorpe spent time on loan to Halifax Town, before being reunited with former Rovers boss Dave Penney at Darlington for another spell on loan until the end of the season.

source:- www.doncasterroversfc.premiumtv.co.uk

QPR duo Dexter Blackstock and Emmanuel Ledesma each scored to help their side to a comfortable win over Doncaster.

Blackstock opened the scoring when he tapped in from close range in the fifth minute after Daniel Parejo lifted a free-kick into the area.

Lee Cook fired wide and Damien Delaney shot over before Ledesma added a second after 28 minutes.

The Argentine latched on to a long punt forward, held off two challenges and tucked the ball past Neil Sullivan.

QPR boss Iain Dowie:
“The attitude, application and desire of the players to embrace what we are trying to do has been terrific.

“Doncaster are a very good side, one of the best passing sides in the division, and we nullified that and we had a creativity.

“The defeat at Sheffield United hurt and we spoke openly and brutally about that in the week and put it to bed. The response was a clean sheet today.”

Doncaster manager Sean O’Driscoll:
“You have to give credit to QPR. They learned from that defeat at Sheffield United and were much more solid today, they made it difficult for us.

“Eight of their players are over 6ft 2ins so it’s not rocket science to say you have to defend properly at set-plays, so we’re disappointed with that.

“It’s the first physical test we have faced in this division and we struggled to find a way to get a result.”

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Hall (Connolly 29), Ramage, Stewart, Cook (Balanta 72), Mahon, Leigertwood, Parejo (Rowlands 78), Ledesma, Blackstock.
Subs Not Used: Camp, Di Carmine.

Booked: Parejo.

Goals: Blackstock 5, Ledesma 28.

Doncaster: Sullivan, O’Connor, Roberts, Mills (Van Nieuwstadt 57), Hird, Guy (Chambers 84), Stock, Wellens, Coppinger, Hayter, Taylor (Elliott 84).
Subs Not Used: Woods, Spicer.

Att: 15,536

Ref: Mike Thorpe (Suffolk).

Source :- bbc.co.uk/sport

Well I have just got back from another short holiday ! I went to Great Yarmouth took the 2 children.

I went to a little place called Hemsby ! what a great time it turned out to be. I stopped at Hemsby Beech ! ( A Richardson Resort There).

Anyhow back to the real stuff now RTID