Rovers base promotion push on Keepmoat form

Open house was the phrase which more accurately described the club’s home statistics in the previous three campaigns, when they contrived to lose more league games than they won.

Talk about a transformation this season. So much so that if Darren Ferguson’s side manage to beat Portsmouth tonight, then they will boast the best home record in the entire country with 10 wins.

Rovers’ haul of 30 points is the best in League Two and only Rochdale and Sheffield United (31) have managed more so far in the EFL, with the club well on course to post their best seasonal figures on their own patch since promotion to the Championship – first time around – eight-and-a-half years ago.

That splendid record will perhaps receive its more stringent examination in tonight’s televised fixture against Pompey, with Rovers able to move 10 points above the side just outside of the automatic promotions places with victory.

On the dramatic turnaround for Doncaster, unbeaten on home soil in the league in 15 matches since the end of March, Ferguson said: “I think it is something we should be proud of. We do not want it to go away.

“It will be a big test for us to keep that record intact. But I am fully aware that if my team are fully at it and have a top performance, then I fully expect us to keep that record intact.

“It will be a tough game, but Portsmouth know that they will be in for a tough game as well.

“But these games take care of themselves. I do not need to build it up, it’s already there and we know it is a big one and one I am looking forward to.

“If both teams play as well as they can, then it will be a hell of an advert for League Two, there is no question about that.”

While being mindful of the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Pompey, leaders Rovers can also move four points clear at the summit tonight, having shown their gritty side alongside their free-flowing attributes in equal measure so far in a resounding return this winter.

That winning mentality is enabling fans to sleep snugly at night and for Ferguson to rest relatively easily as well.

Ferguson, whose side have lost just once in 10 league games since October 22, said: “If we manage to keep this consistency, it gives us a right chance. The players have got a good winning mentality. I think the key message to the players has been win the game and we’ll look at it after.

“I have been absolutely delighted with the players and our result and performance (against Portsmouth) won’t have too much of a bearing on that with the commitment that they have showed from day one.

“It is not easy to continue that consistency when the pressure is on us so much to get out of this league from our own fans and ourselves to a degree.

“Everyone outside would expect us to do it. But it is not easy. Portsmouth showed that last season when they finished sixth and it is not a gimmie.

“The players have shown great commitment, character and togetherness and you can see the good team spirit. With that, the mentality comes that we have just got to go and win the game, no matter what.

“I cannot see that going away, to be honest.”

Striker Liam Mandeville is doubtful for tonight’s game with a thigh problem, with new signing Alfie May firmly in the reckoning, having caught the eye of Ferguson in training.

On the prolific non-league striker, Ferguson, who confirmed he has no current plans to re-enter the transfer market after also signing midfielder Conor Grant for a second loan stint, said: “With the sharpness he has got, Alfie is a penalty-box player and technically good enough as well.

“I will not put too much pressure on him and say he is going to come in and score loads of goals. But he has certainly trained well enough to be involved.”

Ferguson has also confirmed that long-term injury casualties Gary McSheffrey and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair are ahead of schedule in their rehabilitation.

McSheffrey could be back in the fray by the middle of February, while Taylor-Sinclair may be available by the end of February, in a best-case scenario.

Luke McCullough is also ahead of expectations in his recovery from a serious cruciate ligament injury and could be available for the final month of the season, although Ferguson has pledged to be ‘extremely cautious’ in regards to his possible involvement and will not risk him unless 100 per cent convinced by his fitness.

Last six games: Doncaster DLWWDW; Portsmouth LWDWDW.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

Last time: Doncaster 1 Portsmouth 1, March 16, 2013; League One.