Doncaster Rovers ‘still odds-on’ to make play-offs says Gillingham boss Steve Evans

Evans has dismissed Rovers’ recent form - which has seen them lose six of the last ten matches - as a blip and fully expects them to finish in the top six this season.

Four wins from the last five have carried Evans’ side to two points off sixth spot but the former Rotherham United boss admits he is concerned by the threat Rovers pose following the reverse fixture in December.

“The next two games really worry me, they are really tough, home to Doncaster Rovers, a team sitting fifth and then the league leaders Hull City away,” Evans told Kent Online.

“It will be a real difficult one against Doncaster.

“We went up there and lost by the odd goal, but we got a football lesson, we hardly touched the ball at times. If anything they are better in terms of playing personnel they have added to the group.

“They have lost their manager [Darren Moore] to Sheffield Wednesday but the board have given a new young manger in Andy Butler a chance. He is a fierce competitor.

“It is a real good opponent we are playing and let nobody think for one moment it is anything less than that.”

Evans described Rovers boss Butler as a warrior in his playing days and expects him to get Rovers back on track after their recent form, which he believes is part of life in League One this term.

“We have had it, Hull have had it, Peterborough have had it, Ipswich have, Lincoln, they all have,” he said.

“A very progressive board at Doncaster have given a young man that opportunity and he has been a warrior against my teams.

“When they come to Priestfield on Saturday it will be a stern challenge, they have a top class squad for sure.

“They will be in the top six, can they get into that top two? Maybe recent results have shaded that away from them but they are still odds on favourites for me to be in the play-offs.”

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