Marcus Braddock looks ahead to the weekend game with Doncaster Rov
After our midweek exploits in the cup it's back to the bread and butter of League One and a difficult game at home to resurgent Doncaster Rovers. Managed by ex-Peterborough boss Darren Fergusson, Doncaster started their season in style with five unbeaten games including a 3-1 league win at Blackburn, a 3-2 win at Bradford in the League Cup and a 2-0 win at home to Championship Hull City in the same competition. Things went a bit fruit shaped after that and in the ten games between late August and the end of September, they only won once in regular time against Plymouth who were having a torrid time of their own. Since then though, things have picked up considerably with just four defeats in their sixteen League games since. Their last six league games have been lossless with three wins and three draws. Last time out Donny drew at home to Plymouth who are just below them in the league after a similar recent improvement in form.
Points per game
Shrewsbury at home: 2.58
Doncaster away: 1.08
Top scorers
John Marquis 6
Ben Whiteman 6
Assists
Rodney Congolo 4
Thomas Rowe 4
Clean Sheets
9
Goals
Rovers have had10 goals scored against them in 13 away games with two scored in the first half and eight scored in the second. The 14 goals they scored in away games are split exactly 50/50 between the two halves of their games. Their best period was the middle fifteen minutes of the second half with three scored and none conceded. Their worst is probably the first fifteen minutes of games as they've not scored in that period all season but have conceded three goals. The final fifteen minutes could be interesting as they have scored three and conceded four.
Referee - Anthony Backhouse from Cumbria. Games this season: 23. Yellow cards: 71. Red cards: 7.
Assistants: Barry Cropp and Dean Treleaven
Fourth Official: TBC
Squad News
Both managers may look to freshen things a little after a hectic start to 2018.
Summary
I was looking through some stats earlier and we have an incredible home record compared to everyone else having collected two points more than anyone else which doesn't seem that incredible until you see that we've played two less home games than our closest rivals. So I imagine that the bookies may see us as nailed on to win this one but I remember Rovers being difficult to beat in the last fixture and were a little unlucky if my memory is anything to go by.
Not long after that they changed their luck and started to win more games and as mentioned earlier, are currently on a nice run of six games unbeaten in the form of a draw, three wins and two draws. I think it's going to be another tough game but this time, Rovers will be looking to avenge their defeat earlier in the season and keep their run going.
COYB!!!
Marcus Braddock