Doncaster Rovers are embroiled in a relegation fight with the battle for suvival set to go right to the wire.
And in tight races, often it is the smallest margins that can decide your fate. In football, one of those small margins is discipline.
By keeping 11 players on the pitch at all times and not losing your best players through suspension, you will give yourself the best chance of success.
With that in mind, here, using data from Transfermarkt, we take a look at what the current League One disciplinary table looks like and whether or not Rovers’ discipline may be a worry to supporters as we approach the crunch-end of the campaign:
(Note: To calculate the ‘total disciplinary points’, straight red-cards are awarded five points, second-booking red cards are awarded three points whilst yellow cards are awarded one point.)
. Picture Gareth Williams/AHPIX LTD, Football, Sky Bet League One, Cheltenham Town v Doncaster Rovers, The Jonny Rocks Stadium, Cheltenham, UK, 05/03/2022, K.O 3.00pm Howard Roe>07973739229 Doncaster Rovers manager Gary McSheffrey watches on as Adam Clayton heads for an early bath
Adam Clayton was sent off in Doncaster Rovers' recent defeat at Cheltenham Town. Photo: Gareth Williams/AHPIX LTD
. Plymouth Argyle = 56 points
Total yellow cards = 56, straight-red cards = 0, second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 56 Photo: Nathan Stirk
. Morecambe = 62 points
Total yellow cards = 57, straight-red cards = 1 (Shane McLoughlin), second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 62 Photo: Tony Marshall
. Bolton Wanderers = 62 points
Total yellow cards = 52, straight-red cards = 2 (Ricardo Santos x2), second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 62 Photo: Gareth Copley
. MK Dons = 63 points
Total yellow cards = 58, straight-red cards = 1 (Daniel Harvie), second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 63 Photo: Pete Norton
. Ipswich Town = 67 points
Total yellow cards = 64, straight-red cards = 0, second-booking red cards = 1 (Kane Vincent-Young), discipline points total = 63 Photo: Alex Davidson
. Wycombe Wanderers = 69 points
Total yellow cards = 61, straight-red cards = 1 (Anthony Stewart), second-booking red cards = 1 (Josh Scowen), discipline points total = 69 Photo: Alex Burstow
. Cambridge United = 69 points
Total yellow cards = 61, straight-red cards = 1 (Adam May), second-booking red cards = 1 (Sam Smith), discipline points total = 69 Photo: Pete Norton
. Oxford United = 69 points
Total yellow cards = 61, straight-red cards = 1 (Herbie Kane), second-booking red cards = 1 (Jordan Thorniley), discipline points total = 69 Photo: Catherine Ivill
1. Plymouth Argyle = 56 points
Total yellow cards = 56, straight-red cards = 0, second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 56 Photo: Nathan Stirk
2. Morecambe = 62 points
Total yellow cards = 57, straight-red cards = 1 (Shane McLoughlin), second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 62 Photo: Tony Marshall
3. Bolton Wanderers = 62 points
Total yellow cards = 52, straight-red cards = 2 (Ricardo Santos x2), second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 62 Photo: Gareth Copley
4. MK Dons = 63 points
Total yellow cards = 58, straight-red cards = 1 (Daniel Harvie), second-booking red cards = 0, discipline points total = 63 Photo: Pete Norton