Tuesday 10th March 2009
Keepmoat Stadium
Referee: C H Webster
Kick-off: 19:45
Doncaster Rovers (15th) V Queens Park Rangers (11th)
By thegodfather

Without a win in their last seven matches, QPR face a difficult trip to Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night. The performance against Sheffield United on Saturday was certainly an improvement on the Ipswich and Norwich games, but yet again the Rs were left to rue several missed chances. With pressure mounting on manager, Paulo Sousa, it’s important that Rangers get something out of this match.

Doncaster Rovers

Many expected Doncaster Rovers to struggle in the Championship after their League One play-off final victory over Leeds United last year. For the first part of this season, Rovers found themselves deep in relegation trouble, bottom of the table at Christmas. However, the board stuck by manager, Sean O’Driscoll, and it proved to be a good decision.

Doncaster have won 9 out of their last 12 matches and this superb run has pulled the team well clear of the drop-zone. They currently lie in 15th position, seven points off the relegation places and worryingly, only three behind Queens Park Rangers.

Donny come into this match on the back of a very disappointing 3-0 defeat to promotion contenders, Cardiff City, on Saturday. Perhaps the players will be low on confidence. Let’s hope that Rangers can capitalise.

Men to watch

Up front, O’Driscoll has the experienced Paul Heffernan, who has put away 7 goals this season. The 27 year-old began his career with Notts County, where he netted 35 goals in 100 appearances. A move to Bristol City followed but he couldn’t break into the starting line-up at Ashton Gate. The Irishman joined Rovers in 2005 and has since established himself as a first-team regular.

James Coppinger could partner Heffernan in attack. The 28 year-old striker, who had a very brief loan spell with QPR in 2001, has scored 5 times this season. He joined Rovers in 2004 from Exeter City and has since put away some very important goals for the club, including a hat-trick against Southend United in the 2008 League One play-off semi-final.

As well as Coppinger, O’Driscoll has 29 year-old James Hayter, who in February 2004 scored the fastest Football League hat-trick ever after coming on as a substitute in a game between Bournemouth and Wrexham.

Doncaster’s top scorer is midfielder, Brian Stock, who has netted 8 times this season. The 27 year-old, who had spells with Bournemouth and Preston before joining Rovers during January 2007, played a key role in the heart of midfield during the club’s promotion campaign last year. The Welshman has continued his fine performances into the 2008/09 season.

31 year-old Jason Price is a right-sided midfielder who can also play up front. Before joining Doncaster in 2006, he had played for Swansea, Brentford, Tranmere and Hull.

As well as Price, O’Driscoll could select John Spicer in his starting line-up on Tuesday night. The hard-working midfielder started his career with Premiership giants, Arsenal, but was forced to move to Bournemouth in 2004 in search of first-team football. The 25 year-old then had three years with Burnley before joining Doncaster last summer.

At the back, Rovers have talented young centre-half, Matthew Mills, who joined the club in 2007 from Manchester City. His impressive performances helped Rovers to promotion last season and he has continued his fine form into the 2008/09 campaign. At the age of 22, Mills could have a bright future ahead of him.

James Chambers joined Doncaster Rovers last summer. The 28 year-old full-back will provide a stern test for the QPR wingers on Tuesday night. He has had spells with West Brom, Watford, Cardiff and Leicester.

In goal, Donny have 39 year-old keeper, Neil Sullivan, who joined the club in 2006. He started his career at Wimbledon and was famously lobbed from the half-way line by Manchester United’s David Beckham in 1996. After 12 years with the Dons, he had short periods with Tottenham, Chelsea and Leeds United before signing for Rovers. He is also a former Scottish international.

Previous Matches

August 2008 – Goals from Dexter Blackstock and Emmanuel Ledesma helped Iain Dowie’s QPR side to a comfortable victory over Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road. Blackstock opened the scoring in the 5th minute, smashing home Daniel Parejo’s free-kick. Ledesma doubled the home side’s advantage in the 28th minute, bringing down Damion Stewart’s long-ball and slotting it into the bottom corner of the net. The visitors rarely threatened and Rangers secured the three points.

QPR Manager, Iain Dowie: "The attitude, application and desire of the players to embrace what we are trying to do has been terrific. Doncaster are a very good side, one of the best passing sides in the division, and we nullified that and we had a creativity. The defeat at Sheffield United hurt and we spoke openly and brutally about that in the week and put it to bed. The response was a clean sheet today."

Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Doncaster Rovers

League Form

Queens Park Rangers: LDLLD (Last match: QPR 0-0 Sheffield United).

Doncaster Rovers: WLWWL (Last match: Cardiff 3-0 Doncaster).

Team News

Lee Cook is unlikely to return to the starting line-up on Tuesday night after missing the last few games through an injury. Akos Buzsaky, Martin Rowlands, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

It will be interesting to see Sousa’s formation on Tuesday night. The diamond system has come under some criticism of late. In my view, too many players are being put out-of-position. For example, right-winger, Wayne Routledge, is being wasted in the centre.

This will be Queens Park Rangers’ first visit to Doncaster Rovers’ new stadium. Hopefully it will be a night to remember but I’m afraid that I’m going to predict a dull, physical and even encounter. Perhaps the Rs will nick the three points, but I’m going to go for a goalless draw.

Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Queens Park Rangers