Doncaster Rovers 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0: Coppinger excelling in new role as Rovers continue surge to safety

At 33, Doncaster Rovers winger James Coppinger probably thought he had experienced most things after completing a decade with the South Yorkshire club.
Chris Brown celebrates his goal against Sheffield Wednesday.Chris Brown celebrates his goal against Sheffield Wednesday.
Chris Brown celebrates his goal against Sheffield Wednesday.

For the Yorkshireman, who started his career at Newcastle United under Kenny Dalglish, has chalked up nearly 400 games for Rovers as an attacking wideman.

But due to a defensive injury crisis at the Keepmoat Stadium – which has hampered their chances of survival after promotion from League One last term – the winger has been converted into an emergency right-back to stunning effect.

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For Coppinger is part of a makeshift back four who have seen Doncaster pull away from the Championship drop zone with 10 points from a possible 12.

The latest win, which leaves Rovers eight points clear of the bottom three, came in a 1-0 win over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

“It was a great result in a local derby,” said Coppinger. “For us to stay in this division would be a massive achievement.

“I had never played at right-back before but the gaffer pulled me in and asked if I wanted to help the team out and play there.

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“I am enjoying it, two clean sheets on the bounce. It’s strange being in that position but I am enjoying it.

“We are working hard on the training ground, not just the back four, we are defending as a unit.

“Our goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, has been absolutely outstanding for us. He signed a new deal at Manchester United then came to us (on loan).

“He’s a young lad but he will gain a lot experience. His overall game is superb.”

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All-change on the pitch and plenty of changes in the Coppinger household, too.

Coppinger was forced to miss the win over Huddersfield Town earlier this month when wife Lucy gave birth to a baby daughter. After an impressive win against the Terriers without him, Coppinger jumped at the chance to switch to right-back just to get a game.

He has taken to his new role so well, Rovers manager Dickov admits he may resist bringing in a loan specialist before Thursday’s deadline.

“My wife had just given birth so I missed the Huddersfield game. We won, and I was biding my time to get back in the team,” said the father-of-three, who is out of contract in the summer.

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“When the gaffer said he wanted me to play right-back, I snapped his hand off, to be honest. I just want to be part of the team, play every week, regardless of the position.

“I am really enjoying it at 33, being put into this position and learning things every day. It’s not too dissimilar to playing on the wing but you have more responsibility defensively.

“The rest of the lads have been really good with me, pointing me in the right direction. Paul Quinn has been a massive help. He’s obviously not a centre-half but he’s come in with Abdoulaye (Meite) and Hubby (James Husband) on the other side.

“We have a good relationship between the four of us and it shows. Defensively, we have done really well and teams haven’t created that much.

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“We were on 30 points when we got beat 5-0 at Bournemouth. Then, in the next four games we have moved on to 40 points and it was something we aimed for because Bournemouth was a turning point.

“If we hadn’t got beat to the extent we had, I don’t think people would have been aware of the situation, about people not doing their jobs. But we had a good talk with the gaffer and since then we have picked up and everyone is pulling in the same direction, on and off the pitch.”

In those four games since that Cherries loss, Rovers have conceded just once.

Asked if Coppinger was a nomination for Championship right-back of the season, Dickov quipped: “I think he might go to the World Cup.

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“He’s been fantastic. Not just fantastic on the pitch but on the training ground. When people talk about players being top professionals, sometimes that means that they have not got as much ability. That covers up for it.

“But technically he is great. The way he handles himself around the training ground is an example to all the young players at the club.”

On Saturday, Wednesday started well and should have taken the lead but Leon Best missed an easy chance. Jeremy Helan supplied an inviting cross but, from close-range and with the goal inviting him to convert the chance, the on-loan striker from Blackburn contrived to somehow fire wide.

Rovers took the lead after half-an-hour. Billy Sharp – a constant thorn in Wednesday’s side – broke free, only to be denied by Owls goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

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But, as the ball ran free, up popped Chris Brown to score from close range.

Rovers goalkeeper Johnstone denied a long-range effort from Chris Maguire but not even the attacking substitutions of Jermaine Johnson, Benik Afobe and Sam Hutchinson could grind Wednesday out of second gear.

Instead, Stuart Gray’s lethargic side – playing their fifth game in two weeks – were thankful for their goalkeeper, Kirkland, denying Sharp’s header from close-range, before tipping away David Cotterill’s free-kick.