Plymouth Argyle not Arsenal is the focus for toiling Doncaster Rovers

SUCH is the appeal of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium that around 5,000 Doncaster Rovers supporters are expected to descend on the capital tomorrow night.
Darren Ferguson takes his Doncaster side to Arsenal on WednesdayDarren Ferguson takes his Doncaster side to Arsenal on Wednesday
Darren Ferguson takes his Doncaster side to Arsenal on Wednesday

A fraction of that number will be on the road again the following Saturday as the south Yorkshire club head to Plymouth Argyle in League One but, despite that disparity in followings, there is no doubt in the minds of either Matty Blair or Darren Ferguson as to which is the most important game.

Arsenal is a game that everyone at the club can go and enjoy,” said Blair, about the prospect of Rovers taking on Arsene Wenger’s men. “Hopefully, we can play well against one of the best teams in the country.

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“But the gaffer said to us in the dressing room (after Sunday’s defeat to Scunthorpe United) that next Saturday is more important than Wednesday. He is spot on with that.

“We will go and enjoy the Arsenal match as much as we can but, rightly or wrongly, there has to be half an eye on Plymouth. That is the important one.”

A slump in form that has seen Doncaster take just a solitary point from their last five league outings is behind the need to prioritise the Home Park assignment over arguably the club’s biggest away Cup tie since heading to Everton in the mid-Eighties.

It will certainly influence Ferguson’s team selection, even if he is fully aware that all of his players will be desperate to get a run out at the Emirates.

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“I have to make the correct decision because it is an opportunity the players probably won’t get to play at such a venue,” said the Rovers chief, who could be without Tommy Rowe (bruised calf) and Jordan Houghton (illness).

“But we need to win the Plymouth game.

“That is clear, as we have to stop this run. I have to balance the two.”

Ferguson and his players will remain in the south following the third-round tie at Arsenal and he hopes the time away can help kick-start a stuttering season at the Keepmoat Stadium.

He added: “Getting them together for a few days could be useful – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. That is a possibility.

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“But what we need to do is get back to winning ways, that is the best medicine for everyone.

“We need better quality in the last third of the pitch and to improve the confidence of one or two who are lacking a little bit.”