Cardiff v Doncaster Preview
It’s amazing to think that coming into this game, Doncaster really don’t have much on their minds. At an early stage of the season it seemed a foregone conclusion that Rovers would be relegated, but recent form has rescued them and they are now the best side in the division in terms of recent results. As for Cardiff, they are looking to pull their season back on track. A midweek win over Barnsley put a halt to their bad form and they are now back in the play off picture with games in hand over all of their rivals.
Like all sides at the top, Cardiff experienced something of a blip in their season not so long ago when they went four games without a win. However, they comfortably beat Barnsley 3-1 on Tuesday which pushes them back into 5th. That may not sound too concrete to some, but the fact that Dave Jones’ men have played so fewer games gives them a huge advantage. Take 6th placed Preston for example, who’ve played three games more meaning that the Bluebirds are in an excellent position heading into the business part of the season.
As for Doncaster, their recent form has been miraculous. It was said at the start of the season how Sean O’Driscoll’s men play the best football in the league but just can’t finish off moves, yet that seems to have now been resolved. An incredible nine wins from eleven has transformed them from a team battling against the drop, to one that is pushing for a top half finish. However, in times like this the real tests are always the away games against the top sides and with Cardiff falling under that category; it’ll be interesting to see how Rovers fare up in this one.
However, while Cardiff are in a strong league position, the injury front does not look good for Dave Jones. The Bluebirds boss could be without nine players with the club set to hand late fitness tests to the likes of Paul Parry, Michael Chopra, Gavin Rae, Mark Kennedy, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Jay Bothroyd, Chris Burke and Stephen McPhail. You’d have to think at least some of those would play, but one definite absentee is Kevin McNaughton who’s been struggling lately. Doncaster have one or two problems as well and Sean O’Driscoll will be without James O’Connor and Jos Van Nieuwstadt who are struggling with an ankle and hamstring injury respectively. However, striker James Hayter is looking to return having missed much of the season through a knee problem.
With Cardiff’s injury problems, we’re going to go for a draw here. If the Bluebirds had a full side out it would have been a different story, but Doncaster are the team to beat at the moment and we think they can get a point here – 0-0.
