Gillingham boss Steve Evans backs Doncaster Rovers for automatic promotion challenge

Gillingham boss Steve Evans has backed Doncaster Rovers to challenge for automatic promotion ahead of the meeting between the two sides this weekend.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The former Rotherham United manager was full of praise for Rovers and boss Darren Moore as he prepared for Gillingham’s trip to the Keepmoat.

But he feels he has a plan for his side to beat Rovers this weekend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Darren is a good manager and how he got the sack at West Brom was beyond everybody in football, but maybe that was political,” Evans told Kent Online.

Steve EvansSteve Evans
Steve Evans

“He has gone into Doncaster and carried on the great work from Grant McCann and has a real good side put together.

"I watched a rerun of their win at Northampton, it was very comfortable.

“We will be fully tested but we will have a plan.

"There are fractions in League 1 every week, whether it’s going to Bristol who have won a couple of times since we went there and won comfortably and look at Swindon, they will win games. It is fine margins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Doncaster are a team that will compete for automatics, not just the play-offs."

Gillingham have won four and drawn one of their last five league matches, having lost their five previous games. They have also conceded only twice in their recent god run.

Evans said: “It’s two clean sheets and we have taken nine points out of nine in the league, four wins out of five and that’s commendable but let’s be ready for Doncaster.

“We are not the best side in League One - I don’t think we can be when you compare what we spend to others.

“But we can work as hard as anyone else in League One.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We can be as organised and we can find a way to win like any other side and we are pleased to win.”

Evans has several injury issues to deal with as he brings his side to Doncaster.

Winger Jordan Graham is expected to miss out while captain Kyle Dempsey, Celtic loanee Scott Robertson and striker Dominic Samuel are both doubts.

Evans was only able to name four substitutes for the Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Cambridge United in midweek.

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.