Fulham v Doncaster Rovers: Dickov’s Rovers planning to heap more misery on Fulham

Rovers make their first trip to Craven Cottage since October, 1996 this evening, to tackle beleaguered and managerless hosts who are reeling after an awful start to the 2014-15 season.

Former Hamsburg manager Felix Magath paid the price for the Cottagers’ wretched start on Thursday when he was sacked after just seven months at the helm, with Dickov’s former Manchester City team-mate Kit Symons currently in caretaker charge.

The Londoners’ weekend home defeat with Blackburn Rovers stretched their winless league streak in 2014-15 to eight games, with just one point to their name.

Rovers head south in renewed heart after their 3-2 derby win over Chesterfield on Saturday, their first success at the Keepmoat since March 22.

Dickov’s side have already proved their cup prowess on the road, shocking Fulham’s Championship rivals Watford in the last round.

Victory tonight would put Rovers in the fourth round for the first time since 2005-06 and Dickov admits the spin-offs from a good cup run are numerous.

He said: “Cup runs are massive for clubs in the lower leagues for lots of reasons – confidence wise, finances and in terms of exposure as well.

“It has been a nice little thing for us and in the Watford game, there was no pressure on us at all.

“Everybody was expecting us to get beat and we went down there and took the shackles off and played some great football and we will do the same on Tuesday.”

Last six: Fulham LWDLLL; Doncaster WWLLDW.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).

Last time: Fulham 3 Doncaster 1; October 12, 1996; Division Three.