VIDEO: '˜We don't want anyone coming here and celebrating promotion' - Darren Ferguson on Doncaster Rovers' bid to spoil Blackburn party

Darren Ferguson has urged his Doncaster Rovers side to put Blackburn Rovers' promotion party on ice tonight.
Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

Blackburn head to the Keepmoat knowing a win will be enough to secure them an immediate return to the Championship.

While he fully expects Blackburn to be heading for promotion, Ferguson says he does not want them to be starting the party in Doncaster.

Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They know a win gets them up so that’s what they’ll be going for,” Ferguson told The Star.

“I’ve said to the players we don’t want anyone coming here and celebrating promotion.

“It’s not a nice thing to happen when you’re on the home patch.

“I felt a large part of the performance on Saturday was good.

Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

“The clinical edge to it, we need to get that right.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But I know my team is capable of causing any team problems, regardless of who it is.”

Ferguson is expecting a very different game when Rovers meet Blackburn for the second time this season but insists there is no reason why there will not be the same outcome.

Rovers triumphed 3-1 over Blackburn at Ewood Park in August as the hosts were struggling to get going following relegation to League One.

Tony Mowbray’s side have certainly kicked into gear since and are one win away from promotion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ferguson said: “As you’d expect they put a lot of pressure on us that day, they were forceful in what they wanted to do.

“I remember the first half was quite cagey and we grew into the game.

“Going in 0-0 at half time gave us a lot of confidence and we scored early in the second half.

“From then on, we really hurt them on the counter.

“I don’t think it will be a similar game to that on Tuesday.

“I think it will be quite a tactical affair.

“But it’s one I’m very much looking forward to.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There’s certain things we have to do well. Blackburn are very good on the ball, there’s no doubt about it.

“We will have to be very good on the ball on Tuesday night.”

James Coppinger and Alfie Beestin are both set to return for Rovers tonight after being rested for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Oxford United.

And Ferguson revealed surgery on Tommy Rowe’s hamstring was a success.

He said: “The operation went very well. It was needed.

“His power had gone down about 40 per cent from one leg to the other.

“It’s touch and go whether he’ll be ready for the start of next season.

“But he does have a chance.”