Peterborough United v Doncaster Rovers: Mind games have given Posh lifeline believes O'Driscoll

Rock bottom Posh have enjoyed an upturn in fortune with back-to-back wins over Sheffield United and Watford in the past week.

The six-point haul came in the wake of Gannon, the club's third manager of the season, having declared that Peterborough were already relegated – a psychological trick O'Driscoll admits he would have used if Doncaster had found themselves in a similar position.

Ahead of tonight's meeting between the two clubs at London Road, the Rovers manager said: "As soon as Jim Gannon came out and said 'we are down', it verbalised what many were thinking and brought a bit of freshness to the club.

"It took the pressure off the players. When he did it, I thought I would have done something similar if in the same position.

"What he said has challenged their players and has brought a reaction out of them. They have been excellent in the last two games since he said it.

"It is still a tall order to get out of the situation Peterborough are in as they will need championship-winning form to get out of trouble. But they are going about it in the right way."

A far more pressing concern for Rovers tonight is maintaining their own form after moving to within four points of the play-offs by beating Derby County last weekend.

The 2-1 triumph over the Rams means Doncaster have won half of their last eight games, a run that has left some at the Keepmoat dreaming of a late push for promotion.

To keep those dreams alive, victory over the bottom club at London Road tonight is paramount – though Rovers will have to overcome a pitch that is best described as 'testing'.

Doncaster are always at their best on surfaces such as Bristol City's where they won 5-2 earlier this month but O'Driscoll insists his side can adapt to whatever conditions they face.

He said: "To be fair, I have not seen the pitch and don't think it will be too much of a factor.

"We are used to playing on a poor pitch so we can't use that as an excuse. It won't affect our tactics. It is more how we use our tactics."

Oldham manager Dave Penney has swooped to sign Doncaster striker Lewis Guy on a one-month loan.

Last six games: Peterborough United LWLLWW, Doncaster Rovers LLDWDW.

Referee: F Graham (Essex).

Last time: Peterborough United v Doncaster Rovers