Ferguson wants Doncaster Rovers switched on

Darren Ferguson believes this afternoon's clash with high-flying Gillingham should lay bare the changes in his Doncaster Rovers side from the reverse fixture.
Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

But the Rovers boss has warned his side they will have to be alert from start to finish against one of League One’s most intense opponents.

A 1-0 defeat to Gillingham in early September brought an end to Paul Dickov’s time as Rovers manager.

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While the Gills have remained in the division’s top four ever since, Rovers would dip further before their superb recovery following Ferguson’s appointment in mid-October.

Ferguson expects Gillingham to be a similar prospect to the one which Rovers faced earlier in the season but says counterpart Justin Edinburgh will find a different Rovers outfit.

“They will be very similar, in terms of their shape with the diamond,” he told The Star. “A lot of the team they had that day I would imagine would be the same.

“There’s a big difference in us though.

“That’s the key really.

“We know where we can hurt them on the day.

“We’re going to have to be really good on the ball, quick play with one and two touch football because they are a team that will press and go in packs.

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“It’s important we’re clever and good upstairs in terms of knowing what we’re going to do when we get the ball.

“If we do that then we will cause them all sorts of problems, I’m sure of it.”

Ferguson faces a selection dilemma with James Coppinger fit after missing the FA Cup clash with Stoke City due to an ankle problem.

Harry Middleton performed superbly in the role typically occupied by Coppinger.