IT is probably fair to say that Loftus Road is not Doncaster Rovers star Richie Wellens favourite ground.
"It is a very compact ground and the crowd are right on top you," said the midfielder ahead of tomorrow's clash against Queen's Park Rangers. "The last time I played there with Blackpool we lost 5-0 and I was sent off."
He's hoping for a far bett
er result in the capital in view of Rovers season start: "The important thing with it being an away game is not to get beat.
"If we can keep the attitude that we don't want to get beat in any game then that will stand us in good stead.
"But every game is going to be tough and with QPR being the wealthiest club in the Championship. I would imagine they'll be one of the teams up there come the end of the season. I'd imagine that come January they will be looking to splash the cash if they are not already in contention."
Like his teammates, Wellens is pleased with the start to life that Rovers have made in the Championship, but says it could have been even better: "If we'd only taken a point in our opening game at Derby then we'd have settled for four points from our first two games.
"But after winning at Derby, and leading Cardiff 1-0 at home with only three minutes left of normal time, we should have been on six points now."
Wellens has so far adapted well to the Championship, impressing in both games. And there's more to come says the 28 year-old, who recently signed a two-year extension to his contract: "I'm fit in terms of being over my pre-season double hernia operation but I missed some warm-up games and I've only played in two games so obviously I am not fully match fit and sharp."
However Wellens says 22 year-old striker Lewis Guy is on top form: "He's a young lad in terms of being a striker and still has a lot to learn, but he could be a proven player by the time he is in his mid-20s. He's scored both our goals in the Championship so far and the one on Saturday was a great finish. He'll be one of our best players this year."
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 435 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
