Doncaster Rovers v Wycombe Wanderers: We must compete physically, warns Ferguson

Doncaster Rovers must be prepared to compete physically with Wycombe Wanderers.
Andy ButlerAndy Butler
Andy Butler

That is the verdict of boss Darren Ferguson, whose side are aiming to bounce back against the Chairboys following last weekend’s setback at Blackpool.

Powerhouse striker Adebayo Akinfenwa - who had a brief spell at Doncaster in 2004 - could lead the line for Wycombe at the Keepmoat Stadium.

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But Ferguson has warned that ‘The Beast’ is not the only physical threat posed by today’s visitors.

“They’re a very fit, hard working team. They’ve got good experience. They did well last season,” said Rovers’ boss.

“They’ve added Akinfenwa who himself adds a certain threat and [Paul] Hayes up front, another experienced player.

“They’re a very fit team and I think they’ll get about us. We have to make sure we compete physically. They’ve got two big boys in midfield.

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“For me, really it’s all about us on Saturday,” he added. “How quickly we move the ball, how good we move the ball, how aggressive we are off the ball. They’re the key ingredients.

“It’s all the things we work on, how we want to play. But I’m looking for a good performance on Saturday, I think we need a good performance. Hopefully a good one.”

Ferguson must decide whether to stick with the back three he employed at Bloomfield Road or revert to a flat back four.

Either way, he trusts club captain Andy Butler - who has impressed so far this season - to stand up to the physical challenge.

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“I think we have dealt with physicality fine,” said Ferguson.

“I think it’s right up Andy Butler’s street. He deals with that fine.

“If I play two beside him or one, I’m sure we’ll deal with it.

“If Akinfenwa plays, you’ve got to keep him out of the box.

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“Again, it goes with what we want to do. We want a high press.”

Following today’s game Rovers briefly break from League Two action to face Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup and Port Vale in the Checkatrade Trophy.

“I want a good performance,” Ferguson emphasised.

“If we can finish the month strongly, we’ve then got a gap of two weeks before the next league game. It’d set us up nicely a third of the way through the season.”

Craig Alcock is in contention to return to the squad after returning to full training but Frazer Richardson is still out. Marko Marosi is 50/50 and could be replaced by Ross Etheridge.