The Saturday Preview
AFTER Argyle’s eight-game unbeaten run at home was scuppered by an in-form Charlton side seven days ago, we head to Yorkshire hoping to do exactly the same to Doncaster Rovers, who have gone 12 games without loss at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Donny manager Grant McCann would probably be best remembered during a five-year spell at Peterborough, as a midfield player starting in 2010. Upon the expiry of his contract, he was appointed caretaker boss and, subsequently, permanent boss in May 2016.
A month short of two years later, he left Peterborough and was appointed Rovers boss. The Northern Irishman has got Donny in contention for a play-off place this season, as they currently occupy sixth on 66 points, five ahead of his previous employers.
Three wins over Bristol Rovers (4-1), Walsall (3-1) and Bradford (1-0) came following a 4-0 drubbing at league leaders Luton, the only standout blip in recent weeks. The last time they were beaten on their own patch was October 23, Chris Maguire bagged the only goal of the game for Sunderland.
Over half of their total points haul have come at home (40), in comparison, Luton have 51, demonstrating the challenge that awaits Derek Adams’ Pilgrims.
The boss will be looking for a reaction after tasting defeat for the first time at home this year and there were several positives to be taken from that defeat, as, for large spells against Charlton, we were in control. Despite not achieving a favourable result, across the last eight games, only three points separate both sides; we have nine, Rovers 12.
Offensively, Doncaster are among the most potent in the division, having netted 69 times, again 11 behind table toppers Luton, and 17 better off than Argyle. John Marquis is the leading scorer on 22, while Mallik Wilks is not too far behind on 16, his most recent was the match-winner against basement club Bradford on April 6.
Five games of the league season remain, Rovers will look to prolong their campaign via the play-offs and we simply need the points to prolong our stay in League One; it is all to play for at the Keepmoat.