Beware Billy's backlash
Sean O'Driscoll reckons Billy Sharp will be aiming to take it out on Derby County after failing to convert a penalty in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Preston.
When asked if the on loan striking ace was down in the dumps on the team coach on the way back the Doncaster boss replied: "Billy's always grumpy if he hasn't scored.
"It doesn't matter whether he has played well or not.
"I've never known anyone with as much desire to score goals when he goes on the pitch - it's what makes him happy.
"He hates missing chances, so not scoring from the penalty spot didn't go down well at all.
"But he's been different class since he joined us and it won't affect his attitude at all.
"In fact it wouldn't surprise me if he went out and played like a man possessed on Saturday."
Sharp was on target twice in last Saturday's 5-2 victory at Bristol City to take his tally to 14 for the season - just two behind Cardiff's Championship leading scorer Peter Whittingham.
O'Driscoll said: "Knowing Billy he'll have an eye on that and you'd have to be mad to back against him."
Rovers discovered another goalscoring hero at Ashton Gate when teenage on loan Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas also weighed in with a couple of goals on his full debut.
The precociously talented Gunners youngster has become an instant hit with Rovers fans who have nicknamed him JET.
O'Driscoll told the Free Press last week that the challenge was to harness his talent and find the position where he would be most effective while at the club.
And the Doncaster boss seems to have found the solution immediatley slotting him in behind Sharp where he caused all sorts of problems for the home defences at Bristol and Preston.
O'Driscoll said: "Jay is an intelligent lad who wants to learn but I don't want to overload him with too much information at present.
"He's taken on board what we've asked him to do very well already and we have also discovered he has another weapon in his armoury with a long throw.
"It's well known I'm not a big fan of just launching the ball into the box without much thought - but it's always nice to have another option."
Rovers entertain Derby at the Keepmoat on Saturday before travelling to bottom club Peterborough next Tuesday night.
Seven points from the last 11 games should be enough to ensure Championship football again for Rovers next season and they could be well on the
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Doncaster
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
