In-form Doncaster on the road to promotion

Although when everyone connected with Doncaster Rovers scanned the League Two fixture list back in June, the thought of a combined 666-mile round-trip in the depths of winter to South Wales and then up to Cumbria will have held limited appeal.

Fortunately, this particular away double header does not look as distinctly unglamourous almost eight months on. Far from it.

It helps when you boast a five-point lead at top of the table and most pertinently, a 14-point advantage over the side currently occupying fourth place, just outside of the automatic promotion places.

That is the highly advantageous position that Rovers find themselves in ahead of tomorrow’s ‘first leg’ of their epic away double at Newport County.

Granted, a cold, wet and windy night on a poor surface at Rodney Parade against hosts who are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table will represent a test of bottle and endurance.

As will Tuesday night’s encounter against promotion rivals Carlisle at Brunton Park.

Then, there are the obvious logistics.

Although when you have ‘travelled’ as far as Darren Ferguson’s side have so far this season, clocking up points just as speedily as the miles on the road, the onus is firmly on keeping their foot on the accelerator.

Rovers, unbeaten in nine league matches since going down to Plymouth Argyle on December 10 – their sole defeat in their past 15 outings in League Two – are entitled to think ahead, while giving their forthcoming opponents all due respect.

Despite being pegged back in last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Morecambe, a haul of seven wins in their past nine league games has provided plenty of winter fuel, with the very real possibility of Rovers reaching 70 points by the time springtime begins in March.

Ferguson, whose side host Luton on Saturday week following the long trips to Newport and Carlisle, said: “It is a big week and if were to get through with the right results, then all of a sudden with 14 games left, you have 71 points. That would be a very good total.

“We are on a great run; one defeat in 15 games. It is a fantastic run from the players and we just have to keep it going.

“Will we drop points between now and the end of the season, of course we will. But we are in a position now where if we drop less points than the others, then we know where we are going to end up.

“That is a good position to be in, but am fully aware it could change very quickly. We need to keep showing the consistency we have done.”

Ferguson’s note of caution at the job not being completed is a shrewd one.

More especially given tonight’s encounter at Newport on what is widely viewed as one of the most difficult surfaces in the lower leagues, with County sharing their facility with two rugby sides – Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC.

The pitch, conditions and playing style of the hosts will all make it a test of character, according to Ferguson, but he is confident that a side – containing a core of seasoned senior professionals – will adapt.

Ferguson said: “People will see that Doncaster going to Newport on a Friday night is a big test and it is in the sense of whoever plays Newport on the home ground now are probably going to have one of their toughest games left this season, purely because of the conditions.

“They are big, strong, physical and competitive and fighting for their lives. Of their last eight goals, seven have come from set-pieces and that is what we have to deal with.

“We have come through these similar games where we have had to roll our sleeves up and battle on not very good pitches.

“Bobbles and things will happen and there will be a lot of mistakes.

“We have to make less than Newport really and hope we have players to capitalise on theirs,” he added.

Rovers head to the principality without the services of talented young striker Liam Mandeville, who is out for two to three weeks after injuring his ankle last weekend.

Mandeville’s outstanding form proved a catalyst for Rovers’ charge up to top spot in late autumn and early winter and Ferguson admits it represents the flip side of the coin for the forward, named as the EFL Young Player of the Month in November.

Ferguson said: “It is a real shame and it shows how quickly that you can go from such a high in a football team to a little bit of a low.

“Mandeville was very good when he was in that form. So for him to miss out it is a little disappointing and frustrating for him and us.”