Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson wants performance to show value of break

The game was originally due to take place on Saturday but was pushed back due to the Saddlers’ participation in the FA Cup.

The postponement ensured Rovers had a full week between games.

And after back-to-back disappointing results against Fleetwood Town and Port Vale, Ferguson is keen for his players to show they are putting right the recent wrongs.

“I the bit of a break came at the right time in terms of getting certain information into the players,” he told The Star. “It was about certain things that have happened through the course of the season.

“It wasn’t too far from what we would normally do. We gave them clear stats and it was a time we used to reflect on certain things.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on getting back to winning ways and get some momentum going. Because although the last two results weren’t great, before then the place was really positive.

“We’ve got to make sure we keep that as much as possible.

“The timing of the break was just about right.

“We have to make sure, if we can, to take advantage of that as well.”

Tonight’s game sees Rovers come up against former boss Sean O’Driscoll for the first time since he departed the Keepmoat in 2011.

O’Driscoll – who took charge of Walsall in December – guided Rovers to promotion to the Championship before establishing the club in the second tier.

Current boss Ferguson feels O’Driscoll deserves plenty of credit for his work at the Keepmoat.

He said: “He did a very good job here and built a very good team. They always played good football.

“He’s someone I’ve come up against quite a few times and he’s always been someone I’ve been respectful of for what he’s done in football.

“I think it’s a good match him and Walsall in terms of how they play and how he likes to play.”

Injured pair Andy Butler (groin) and Harry Middleton (hamstring) are both close to returns and will be assessed this morning. Nathan Tyson remains sidelined.

New loan signing Chris Neal is likely to replace injured keeper Thorsten Stuckmann, who will be out for at least another week with a shoulder problem.