Keepmoat fortress the key for Doncaster chief

Three of Rovers’ next four League One outings are at the Keepmoat Stadium, starting with the visit of Walsall, joint top of the current League One form table along with Yeovil, whom Flynn’s side entertain in a fortnight.

Rovers also face play-off chasing MK Dons in a rearranged home fixture on Tuesday evening with Flynn eager that they carry on from where they left off in his first match in charge, a 2-0 Keepmoat victory over Leyton Orient two weeks ago.

He said: “Our away form has been spectacular over the course of this season, but the home form will be the cornerstone of what we will achieve.

“It was an impressive home performance in many ways last time out and despite the defeat last weekend at Bury, we are back fully focused on the challenge ahead against Walsall.

“They are a good team and are getting results and it’s a big game to look forward to.”

Despite last Saturday’s defeat and uncharacteristic set-piece fallibility in a 2-0 reverse at struggling Bury, Flynn is confident the result will prove a one-off aberration for his promotion-chasers.

Back four resolution and organisation had hitherto been the fulcrum of their marvellous club record run without a league defeat on the road, which stood at 12 games before the Shakers inflicted a first League One away loss for the South Yorkshiremen since September 1.

But Flynn is confident that normal service will be resumed and insists he was not too perturbed by the Roses setback.

He added: “I am sure the Bury game was a one-off. If you look at the circumstances of the game, we conceded two goals from set-pieces and that is what we normally don’t do. It is a rarity for us as a strong part of our game plan is how we defend set-pieces.

“But we also had 12 attempts on goal in the second half last weekend and that is a good tally. So we are creating chances and making things happen.”

Walsall include former Leeds and Rovers player James Baxendale and Doncaster-born goalkeeper Andy Butler. They are without No 2 David Kelly after he joined Billy Davies for a second spell at Nottingham Forest.