Into the unknown: Doncaster Rovers ready for return to a very different football world

Doncaster Rovers return to action today after an unprecedented six month break but competitive football will look very different to what it did when they last played on March 7.

They will be given their first true taste of action without supporters present when they run out at a deathly quiet Ewood Park for their Carabao Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers.

The restart of the Premier League and Championship in June showed an undeniable impact on results and performances from empty stadiums. Managers and players alike commented on the effect.

But as he attempted to prepare his players for the rigours of the season, Darren Moore admitted there was little he could do to ready them or the psychological impact awaiting them this afternoon.

Friendlies at Scunthorpe United and Bradford City were a case of arrive-play-leave, denying Rovers the full experience of what a behind-closed-doors matchday will deliver.

“We’ve had a couple of games but the real one will come at Blackburn because they’ll have certain people in place in minimal numbers,” Moore said.

“We’ll get an experience for the first time on Saturday and I’m looking forward to that.

“Ewood Park is such a huge arena so it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

“I know what it can be there with the fans in so it’ll be a new experience.

“But it can’t detract away from the professional approach to the game and going into the match.”

From his own experience so far, Moore says there are pros and cons of empty stadium football - most of which ensure there is no place to hide for his players.

“You can almost hear yourself in it,” Moore said.

“You can get your messages onto the pitch more quickly and clearly because there are no fans.

“Subconsciously though, minds can drift. It’s almost like that concentration on the pitch is affected.

“It is strange and it’s something that if it was to pan out for a few weeks, you’ll get used to it. We’re still in the getting used to it stage.

“Some players get motivation from the crowd and they need that. Some players don’t. Each player will take it in their own stride.

“But once that ball starts moving, the professional mental state switches on and it’s about going about your business in the right manner.”

As Rovers prepare to step into the unknown this afternoon, their hosts Blackburn will have no such issues, having taken part in the Championship restart with nine matches behind-closed-doors.

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