Cheltenham Town v Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson spells out the task at hand

Darren Ferguson has told his side they must do the fundamentals if they are to end Cheltenham Town's 17-game unbeaten sequence at home.
Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

Last season’s National League champions last lost a league game at Whaddon Road last September against Tranmere.

And Ferguson has warned his team exactly what to expect against the Robins tomorrow when Rovers themselves bid to build on Tuesday night’s win over Cambridge United.

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“They’re a very well organised team. They’re a very big team and they’re quite direct,” said Ferguson.

“We’re going to have to deal with the ball going into our box. They’ve got a long throw.

“There’s certain parts of our game we’re going to have to be very good at.

“But there’s no grey areas in terms of the way they’ll get it in the box. They have a very experienced manager [Gary Johnson].

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“We’re going to have to be patient and I think on Saturday the first goal is going to be very important.

“It has proven to be important in the games we’ve played so far, and it could be an important factor in the game.

“They’re hard to break down and, after watching the Charlton game [which Cheltenham won 1-0], when they go ahead and they’re even harder to break down.

“We have to make sure we do all the bitty bits in terms winning second balls and stopping crosses, and then have the composure to play our football. That’s what we’ve been working on. It’ll be a tough match.”

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Meanwhile, Tyler Garratt is the latest player to have been struck down by Rovers’ early-season injury jinx.

The young left back is out for a month with an ankle injury.

A scan has also confirmed that on-loan Aston Villa defender Niall Mason has suffered medial knee ligament damage. He will be out for two months.