Published Date:
21 August 2008
SEAN O'Driscoll could make changes to his starting line up as Doncaster Rovers bid to continue their bright start to life in the Championship away to moneybags promotion candidates Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Rangers are backed by some of the wealthiest men in - and outside - the country and have set their sights on the Premiership.
But O'Driscoll's men are determined to continue their 'dare to dream' theme by maintaining their unbeaten Championship record at Loftus Road.
The Doncaster boss has been pleased with his team's performances so far but reckons the trip to London could pose a different challenge.
Rangers are a physically strong side with seven or eight six footers in their squad and Barnsley found out just how dangerous they can be at set pieces when 6ft 4ins centre back Fitz Hall scored twice against them on the opening day of the season.
O'Driscoll said: "We've played the same team and done well so far but I don't have a problem in changing things if the occasion warrants it.
"Rangers have a mixture of players.
"They've added some Italians and Spanish players but they are also very strong in certain areas and we have to be aware of that.
"I have never thought that you should be too fixated on your opponents because, for me, it is always how we perform that matters most.
"But, at the same time, you have to take everything into account when you prepare for games."
Dutch defender Jos van Nieuwstadt, who did not have a full pre-season with Rovers, came through an hour of a reserve friendly against Chesterfield on Tuesday and could be set to return to the squad but strikers Darren Byfield and Jason Price did not play in the match.
Both men are back in full training after surgery and will probably have outings in a friendly against Leeds United next week.
Rovers are unlucky not to be chasing a third league win in a row this Saturday after having victory snatched from their grasp two minutes from time at home to Cardiff last Saturday.
The Welshmen equalised in the most fortuitous of circumstances when Neil Sullivan and Adam Lockwood collided as they went to clear the ball and former Rovers loan striker Ross McCormack volleyed home a gift goal from close range.
In their own words the players were 'gutted' at the finish after looking to have three more points in the bag but the Doncaster boss was as impassive as ever.
O'Driscoll said: "I'm not blaming Neil or Adam.
"They were both trying to take responsibility and these things happen - that's football.
"We are still on a learning curve and finding our feet in this division and we will have more than a few setbacks on the way.
"We've coped quite well so far, and we can be proud of that, but
there's a long, long way to go."
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Last Updated:
21 August 2008 10:28 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Doncaster