Doncaster Rovers: One To Watch

Cardiff City travel to Doncaster Rovers this weekend hoping to continue their impressive start to the season. The Keepmoat Stadium however, is a difficult place to visit and a number of teams dropped points to Sean O’Driscoll’s battlers.

Last season needed a last gasp strike from Ross McCormack to rescue a point after Lewis Guy’s volley gave Rovers the lead. Many had tipped Doncaster to struggle but they avoided relegation with ease and ended up in a respectable 14th place based largely on their impressive home record.

Midfielder Brian Stock is an influential player for Rovers and is a creative force in the centre of the park. He put in a number of excellent performances last year and caught the eye of several rival clubs. However, despite some interest – he remains a Doncaster player and the Bluebirds will need to ensure he doesn’t have too much possession.

Stock is a good passer with a cultured left foot. He was likened to Stephen McPhail but is almost certainly a more creative and attack-minded player. With an array or short and long range passes, he is able to dictate the tempo of games if allowed and is often at the heart of Doncaster’s better moves.

He is also known for scoring some spectacular goals, with some particularly memorable long range efforts. His form has seen him called up to the Welsh National squad where he will likely play a more prominent role in the future after the retirement of Carl Fletcher.


Other important players in the Doncaster line-up are forward James Hayter, former Man Utd star Quinton Fortune and experienced defender Adam Lockwood.