BOSS 'UNDER NO ILLUSIONS'

DESPITE receiving backing from his chairman, Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll says he is under no illusions that the situation could change "in the blink of an eye".

Chairman John Ryan backed O'Driscoll both before and after the club's first league victory at Swansea on Saturday. Ryan also made a dressing room address to the players before the game.

O'Driscoll said: "The chairman does what he does, it's his club and will do things his way and I understand that.

"I don't mind, if it was my club I would do things my way.

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"He is trying to help and when you have a chairman who is trying to help then you want to embrace it. We're all in this together and we all have to pull together in the same direction.

"But you also appreciate that, in the blink of an eye, he might change his mind or the pressure gets too much and he thinks there will be a change. That's football culture whether right or wrong. You have to get on with it. "

O'Driscoll was speaking ahead of the start of Rovers' defence of the Johnstone Paints Trophy tonight against Bradford City at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Having waited over 125 years to win their first major knockout trophy, Rovers want to hang on to the cup for as long as they can. Having won it in the last JPT final to be played at the Millennium Stadium, Rovers would also love to defend it in the first final at the new Wembley.

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Nearly 20,000 Rovers fans helped create a magnificent atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium back in April, when theyside beat Bristol Rovers 3-2 after extra-time,

Manager Sean O'Driscoll - whose players were booed off in their last home game after losing 2-1 to Bournemouth - is hoping that the fans will give the team a similar backing tonight.

Although a supporter of the Trophy, O'Driscoll remains unhappy about several aspects of the competition.

He said: "Once you get clear of the early rounds it is not a problem. It is the first two rounds which are the problem because you are playing a lot of league games and the Carling Cup at this time of the season."

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O'Driscoll also has an issue with new rules introduced last season forcing teams to field a minimum of six regulars.

Hopes that midfielder James Coppinger would be fit to come into contention after missing the last two games with an ankle injury sustained against Bournemouth 10 days ago, have failed to materialise,

He said: "James went for a scan yesterday and we are still wauting for the results. He got back so far and then it reacted to some of the stuff he was doing, so that is a bit worrying."

Creative midfielder Brian Stock is also a doubt.

Stock played his first game at the weekend after a pre-season hernia operation and the former Bournemouth and Preston man could face a late fitness test.

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O'Driscoll said: "Brian is probably the major doubt. He was a bit stiff and sore yesterday because we threw him straight back in against Swansea."

Looking ahead to the game, O'Driscoll said: "They may be a Division Two side but because it is a derby game form goes out of the window.

"We are the holders and I am sure that they will be fired up and looking to try and take our scalp. But, like us, I am sure that they will also have an eye on their league game this weekend because the league is everyone's bread and butter.

"Whatever side I pick it will be one that I consider will be strong enough to do the job as was the case last season. We have got a very strong squad this year and those players who haven't played as much as they would have liked are champing at the bit." n Match preview: P38