The Game
Doncaster Rovers v Argyle. Eco-Power Stadium. Saturday, 20 December. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Doncaster won League Two last season, having lost in the play-off final the year before. They began life in League One superbly. Doncaster beat Exeter City in their opening game, and won five of their opening seven games, losing just once, to Huddersfield Town.
However, they have won just once since. Doncaster lost to Wigan Athletic, AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town, nabbed a draw at home to Burton Albion, and then lost to Leyton Orient and Northampton Town.
The pattern continued. Rovers got a draw with Reading, then lost back-to-back games again, beaten by Barnsley and Lincoln City. A draw at Stevenage was followed by a win over Peterborough United, but they have subsequently lost their last two, falling at home to Stockport County, and then lost 4-3 to Cardiff City last weekend.
The Gaffer
Grant McCann’s playing days began at West Ham United, but his spells with Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United and Peterborough United were the most notable of his career. He also received 39 caps for Northern Ireland.
McCann’s coaching days began at Peterborough, where he later got his first managerial role. After being dismissed from Posh, he took over at Doncaster and, in his one season, got Rovers to the League One play-off final, but lost to Charlton Athletic.
He left Doncaster in favour of Hull City, and took the Tigers down in his first season on Humberside. However, they bounced back, winning the League One title the following year. McCann was sacked in January 2022.
He had another year at Peterborough, and then returned to Donny in May 2023. After a bad start, Rovers finished the season brilliantly, reaching the play-offs, but lost to Crewe Alexandra in the semi-finals. Last year, McCann guided Doncaster to his second title as a manager, as they won League Two.
The Squad
Owen Bailey has started all 20 league games for Doncaster this season, scoring six goals. That rises to nine goals if you include his cup efforts. Able to play in a variety of midfield or defensive roles, 26-year-old Bailey is also Rovers’ club captain. He has played over 100 times for Donny, having signed from Gateshead in 2023.
Experienced frontman Billy Sharp (below) has also played in all 20 league games, starting 15. Sharp, 39, had a successful spell with Doncaster from 2009-12, first on loan, and then permanently. He also came back for a loan spell in 2014. His latest stint began in the summer of 2024, and he was part of Rovers’ promotion last season. He is most associated with Sheffield United, for whom he played 377 times and scored 129 goals.
Luke Molyneux is in line to make his 150th league appearance for Doncaster on Saturday. A versatile performer, Molyneux has mostly played in an attacking position, on the right flank, this season, during which he has scored three goals. Last season, the former Sunderland and Hartlepool man was in the League Two team of the season, and swept the player of the season board for Donny.
Previous Meetings
The last time these sides met was in the 2021/22 season, when Argyle triumphed 3-1 on the road, with goals from Luke Jephcott, Joe Edwards, and Jordan Garrick.
Jephcott was also on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture, earlier that season, as the Greens won 2-1 at Home Park. Conor Grant scored the other goal.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their black away kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast at 10am, hosted by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack. Charlie Price will host the Pre-Match Show, which starts at midday, alongside Brian McGlinchey, and then hand over to the stadium for live commentary from Rob McNichol and Lee Makel.
