Here we go!
Published Date:
15 May 2008
FASTEN your seat belts and take a deep breath!
Rovers' rollercoaster season is reaching its climax and tomorrow night's promotion play-off semi-final second leg will not be for the faint hearted.
Sean O'Driscoll reckons the game could go right down to the wire and concentration levels and mental toughness may be the deciding factors.
Doncaster go into the clash at the Keepmoat (7.45pm) all square having drawn the first leg 0-0 at Roots Hall last Friday.
But anyone who thinks the hard part is over and that Rovers are overwhelming favourites to clinch the tie on their own ground will receive short shrift from O'Driscoll.
He said: "If anything could be described as easier it has to be the away leg - this is where it really starts to get tough."
Both sides worked their socks off in the first leg and neither team was given much time on the ball.
But the Doncaster boss will be calling for an even greater effort from his players tomorrow night.
O'Driscoll said: "The first leg was very tight and I think there is a mutual respect between the sides and both sets of players.
"We showed a lot of determination at Roots Hall but we have to up the ante and show even more if we want to win the game.
"There wasn't a lot of room to play because of the pace of the game but it has to slow down eventually, especially if it goes to extra time, and that's when you have to maintain your own concentration levels and cash in on any lapses on the part of your opponents."
Away goals do not count double and, if the scores are level after ninety minutes and extra time, the game will be decided on penalties.
Rovers have been given permission to train on the Keepmoat pitch on the morning of the game for the first time and O'Driscoll said it would be an opportunity for players to practise spotkicks in the setting of the stadium if they wanted.
He said: "If it came down to penalties then hopefully we would be ready.
"We have some confident characters in the side and I don't think there would be a shortage of volunteers."
Rovers will be without striker Paul Heffernan following his sending off in the first leg.
The full article contains 393 words and appears in Doncaster Free Press newspaper.
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Last Updated:
15 May 2008 4:23 PM
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Source:
Doncaster Free Press
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Location:
Doncaster