Portsmouth 4 Doncaster Rovers 0 RECAP: Rovers slump to defeat following second half collapse
Gary McSheffrey’s men must take confidence from their fine victories at promotion-chasing MK Dons and Sunderland as they look to bounce back from Tuesday night’s jaded display in the home defeat to Ipswich Town.
But they will face a Pompey side buoyed by victory at home to Burton Albion in midweek which ended their six-game win-less run in League One.
These sides drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture in August.
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LIVE: Portsmouth v Doncaster Rovers
Away the lads!
So can Rovers make it three away wins in a row? There’s a major boost on the teamsheet with the news that captain Tommy Rowe has been passed fit.
Dan Gardner comes in to add a bit more steel in midfield and Kyle Knoyle is recalled at the expense of Ro-Shaun Williams who is lacking match fitness.
Pompey are expected to be aggressive and fairly direct in their play so Rovers will need to stand strong and look to counter attack like they did up at Sunderland.
Confirmed Rovers line-up
Three changes for Rovers. IN: Knoyle, Gardner, Dodoo. OUT: Williams, Seaman, Odubeko
Early team news
Tommy Rowe faces a late fitness test, while Ethan Galbraith is definitely ruled out.
Pompey have no fresh injury concerns following their 2-1 win over Burton Albion on Tuesday. Kieron Freeman and Shaun Williams are out with serious injuries and Joe Morrell is suspended.
As it stands
Rovers remain bottom of the table, eight points from safety. Portsmouth lie 11th, 12 points clear of danger and 12 points adrift of the play-offs.
Notable other fixtures: Accrington v Crewe, AFC Wimbledon v Sunderland, Cheltenham Town v Fleetwood Town, Morecambe v Gillingham.
Gary McSheffrey pre-match
They got a great win the other night so they’ll be upbeat and confident.
I think it’ll be a different type of opposition to what we’ve had over the last few games of really good football teams popping it about.
I think they’re going to be right at it and in your face. They’ve got four good strikers to choose from who have all got their own qualities and are good finishers.
It’s a difficult one but we go there and respect them knowing we’ve been all right on our travels of late and hopefully they’ll be a bit concerned about us as well.
Danny Cowley pre-match
Every game in this division is tough. This is the toughest League One I’ve known in my lifetime. The fact a team like Doncaster are at the bottom emphasises that.
Gary McSheffrey has done a great job and they had a very busy transfer window. They have pace and athleticism at the top end of the pitch and in their last two away games they beat MK Dons and Sunderland - two teams at the top.
We have a lot of respect for them, we know the threats they bring so we’ll be ready. Our focus is on trying to grow from Tuesday night’s performance and the win we got.