Friendlies confirmed

Paul Dickov has begun preparation for next season by confirming a number of friendlies for the club.

Friendlies confirmed so far include a visit to Cannon Park to take on Retford United, which will take place on Saturday July 6th. Then, on the following Tuesday (9th July), Rovers will face another local side in the shape of Rossington Main at their Oxford Street ground.

On Saturday 27th July Rovers go on the road yet again, this time facing League One Bradford City at Valley Parade.

Information regarding further friendlies is yet to be released.

What do you think of Vikingsbloggen?

Vikingsbloggen is written by fans, for fans of Doncaster Rovers. It is therefore vital that we listen to our visitors and find out what you think, and what you want.

Please feel free to let us know your views. You can contact us via Twitter (@drfcblog), Facebook (here), email (vikingsbloggen@ymail.com) or leave us a comment below or on any post.

We’re thick skinned so please be honest!

Paul Dickov takes over at Doncaster Rovers

Following promotion to the Championship on the final day of last season, Brian Flynn and the Doncaster board decided to make a change in the management of the club with Flynn taking up the role of ‘Director of Football’.

The change in position of Flynn, who had been in charge since February when Dean Saunders left for Wolves, meant that the manager’s position at the club was now vacant.

Doncaster Rovers allowed applications for a number of weeks before drawing up their final shortlist of four names on Friday 10^th May 2013. Throughout the interview stage of the application process the bookmakers had Paul Dickov in place as firm favourite.

On Monday 20^th May, John Ryan and the Doncaster board confirmed their final decision and appointed Dickov into the managerial role within the club on a one year rolling contract.

Dickov had been out of work since leaving his post at Oldham Athletic earlier in the year and is believed to have fought off tough competition to be given the Rovers’ job.

Formerly of Manchester City and Leicester City, the Scottish striker became a favourite of the fans before hanging up his boots and taking up his first managerial role at Oldham in 2010 following the departure of Dave Penney.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Paul to Doncaster Rovers, and we wish him every success during his time at the Keepmoat.

Image credits

Paul Dickov (above) – South Yorkshire Times – Sourced from here.

Vikingsbloggen is back

Welcome to the new-look Vikingsbloggen.

We’ve been away for a while, but since we have been gone a lot has changed. Vikingsbloggen has a new look, but that’s nothing.

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, Doncaster Rovers are champions of League One, and they did with a dramatic final game at Brentford.

In the 93rd minute the hosts were awarded a penalty following a scramble in the 18-yard box. Marcello Trotta stepped up and crashed his spot kick against the crossbar. After yet another scramble in the area, Paul Quinn’s pinpoint clearance found Billy Paynter, praying, on the halfway line.

One-on-one with the keeper, Paynter squared to James Coppinger who slotted home to send Rovers up as champions in the 96th minute.

What a day and what an end to the season!

v Swindon Town – Keepmoat Stadium – 01/04/2013

Swindon Town visit the Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow (01/04) for Rovers’ second game within three days. Despite losing their game on Good Friday, Rovers retained top spot while Swindon’s draw with Yeovil saw them slip away from the automatic places.

Earlier in the season, Rovers and Swindon drew 1-1 at the County Ground. An early Matt Ritchie goal was cancelled out when Jim Husband’s cross was turned in by Swindon defender Danny Hollands soon after.

The Sky Sports cameras are in town for the game which will be broadcast on Sky Sports 1HD.

Swindon Town- Factfile

The Robins were founded in 1879 and won promotion from League Two at the end of last season.

Former Leicester and Liverpool midfielder, Kevin MacDonald, currently manages the side following the departure of Paolo Di Canio earlier in the season. Swindon currently occupy 4th position in League One, with four points separating them from Rovers.

He played for both…

Top scorer, Billy Paynter, played for Swindon between 2007 and 2010 scoring 45 goals in 122 appearances before leaving to join Leeds United.

Last time out at the Keepmoat Stadium

Swindon last visited the Keepmoat on 11 April 2008. Rovers won the game 2-0 with goals coming from Sean McDaid and a Brian Stock penalty.

The victory ensured Rovers lowest possible finish would see them in the play-offs.

Team News

There are no new injury concerns for Rovers going into Monday’s game.

The Man with the Whistle

Paul Tierney will take charge of tomorrow’s fixture with Swindon Town. The Lancashire official was last involved with Doncaster Rovers when they played Notts County at Meadow Lane. During this game he issued two yellow cards.

Ticket Information
Tickets are available from the ticket office at the Keepmoat Stadium, and also online.

v Coventry City – Ricoh Arena – 29/03/2013

A tough week for Coventry City culminates with the visit of Doncaster Rovers tomorrow (29/03). The past few days have been filled with speculation as to where, and whether, the game would go ahead due to the recent administration troubles within the club. It was announced, with less than 48 hours to kick off, that the game would be played at the Ricoh Arena as initially proposed.

Earlier this season, when the Sky Blues visited the Keepmoat, they managed to beat Rovers 4-1. Rovers’ solitary goal came from Chris Brown.

Coventry City - Factfile

Coventry City were formed in 1883 under the name of Singers F.C. They were relegated with Rovers from the Championship at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

Currently managed by Steven Pressley, Coventry were on course for a late promotion push but financial difficulties mean they have now been deducted ten points. They are now 14th in League One, with 12 points separating them from the bottom four.

He played for both…

Franck Moussa currently plays for Coventry City. The Belgian was on loan with Rovers during the 2010/11 season. During this time he made 14 appearances, scoring twice.

Former Coventry midfielder Sammy Clingan wore the red and white hoops earlier this season.

Last time out at Glanford Park

The 2011/12 season ended with Rovers visiting the Ricoh Arena. Rovers had already been condemned to the drop and had the chance to bring Coventry with them by winning the final game, which they did so.

A Simon Gillett strike and a James Hayter penalty ensured a Rovers victory, and confirmed Coventry City’s relegation to League One.

Team News

Dean Furman returns from international duty with South Africa. Martin Woods, David Syers and Paul Keegan all remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

Defender, Paul Quinn, looks set to miss out due to a family bereavement.

The Man with the Whistle

Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, takes control of tomorrow’s game at Coventry. Halsey last took charge of a game involving Rovers was in their game with Ipswich Town at the Keepmoat in 2011. The game finished with Ipswich winning 6-0, with one penalty awarded during the game.

Ticket Information
Tickets are no longer on sale from the Keepmoat Stadium.

3-2 v Scunthorpe United – Glanford Park – 23/03/2013

Doncaster Rovers opened a gap of five points over Swindon Town yesterday, with a derby day victory over Scunthorpe United.

Over 2,000 Rovers’ fans made the short trip into Lincolnshire to see the eagerly anticipated game. Earlier in the season, Scunthorpe fell to a 4-0 defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium. Goals in that game came from David Cotterill, Billy Paynter, Rob Jones and an own goal from Christian Ribeiro.

Going into Saturday’s game, Rovers’ lead at the top of the league was only two points while the Iron were resisting the drop zone in 21st position.

Match Action

First Half

It took only five minutes for Rovers, who were playing in their white away shirt, to take the lead. David Cotterill sent in a cross from the right wing where, unchallenged, Scunthorpe’s DAVID MIRFIN passed the ball past his own keeper.

Iain Hume had a number of efforts following the goal, including beating the Scunny keeper but also the post from around three yards.

It was Hume who doubled Rovers’ lead after 39 minutes. Rob Jones found the Canadian international with a low through ball from inside his own half. HUME beat the shoddy offside trap and coolly beat Johanson in the Scunthorpe goal.

Rovers failed to take their two goal lead into the break. A free kick was awarded to the hosts and MARK DUFFY stepped up to send a curling effort into the top right hand corner of the goal. Duffy’s strike came on 41 minutes.

Half Time

Scunthorpe 1-2 Rovers

Second Half

Rovers came into the second half looking to extend their lead, and did so in the 48th minute. Excellent play on the left hand side between Tommy Spurr and James Husband eventually opened up a pass to John Lundstram in the area. Lundstram pulled the ball back for CHRIS BROWN to slot in his 11th goal of the season from close range.

There were many chances to put the game to bed for Rovers, but they failed to take advantage and, despite shots from Chris Brown and Iain Hume, allowed Scunthorpe to come back into the game.

The hosts kept pushing to cut Rovers’ advantage and their hard work paid off with five minutes to spare. A cross from the right found KARL HAWLEY who bundled home after hitting the post with his initial effort.

Rovers began to sit back, with Scunthorpe pushing for an equalizer, but they ran out of time and Rovers added an extra three points to their impressive tally to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Final Score

Scunthorpe 2-3 Rovers

Attendance – 5,288 Referee – S. Mathieson vikingsbloggen MOTM – Chris Brown

Match Rating – ****

Line Ups

Rovers

Woods

Quinn Jones McCombe Spurr

Cotterill Lundstram Coppinger Husband

Brown Hume

And on the bench… Sullivan, Wakefield, Griffin, Wilson, Paynter (Hume – 82), Sinclair, Bennett.

Goalscorers – Mirfin (O.G. – 5), Hume (39), Brown (48)

Scunthorpe United

Johansen

Nolan Mirfin Reid Newey

Duffy Collins Ryan Forde

Sodje Hawley

And on the bench… Severn, Ribeiro, Grella (Sodje – 71), Barcham (Forde – 53), Canavan (Mirfin – HT), Hornsey, Alabi.

Goalscorers - Duffy (41), Hawley (85)

v Scunthorpe United – Glanford Park – 23/03/2013

Over 2,000 Doncaster Rovers fans are making the short trip to Glanford Park tomorrow as the league leaders face strugglers Scunthorpe United. Rovers beat Scunthorpe earlier this season at the Keepmoat Stadium. The game finished 4-0 with goals coming from David Cotterill, Billy Paynter, Rob Jones and an O.G. from Christian Ribeiro.

Scunthorpe United – Factfile

Formed in 1899, “The Iron” currently sit in 21st spot in League One with a tally of 38 points.

So far this season at home, their form at Glanford Park includes five wins, five draws and nine defeats.

Brian Laws manages the Lincolnshire side, and is in his second spell at the helm.

He played for both…

Rovers’ club captain, Rob Jones, wore the Scunthorpe United shirt between 2009 and 2011 before leaving to ply his trade with Sheffield Wednesday.

Fellow center back, Jamie McCombe, began his professional career with “The Iron” in 2001 after being a member of their youth setup. He left the club in 2004 on a free transfer to Lincoln City.

Last time out at Glanford Park

Rovers last played at Glanford Park in a nPower Championship game in 2010. Goals from Billy Sharp (2) and Jimmy O’Connor cancelled out Martin Woolford’s early opening goal.

Team News

Midfielders Dean Furman and Cameron Howieson are both unavailable as they are on international duty with their respective nations.

John Lundstram is a doubt, having picked up an ankle injury against Portsmouth on Saturday.

The Man with the Whistle

Scott Mathieson has been given control of tomorrow’s derby game. The Cheshire official was in charge when Rovers travelled to Tranmere earlier this season. The game finished as a 2-1 victory for Rovers and Mathieson issued only one yellow card.

Ticket Information
Tickets for the game are sold out.

Football League One Match Preview: Doncaster Rovers v Hartlepool United (2/3/2013)

Hartlepool United are the next side to visit the Keepmoat Stadium this season.

A brief Hartlepool United factfile

Hartlepool were founded in 1908 and play at Victoria Park in the town.

Former Swansea City and Celtic defender, John Hughes, took charge of ‘The Monkey Hangers’ in November last year. Hughes left his post at Livingston to take the job in County Durham.

In connection

James Coppinger played for Hartlepool in two brief loan spells from Newcastle United. Overall he made 24 appearances for the club and scored five times.

Form

Hartlepool have struggled in League One this season, and find themselves going into tomorrow’s game 23rd in the table. They have collected 30 points so far this season from seven wins and nine draws.

Despite this, they have been performing well recently and are currently on a seven match unbeaten run.

Their last game saw them beat Crewe Alexandra by three goals to nil on Tuesday night. Goals coming from Wyke, Franks and Monkhouse secured the three points.

Rovers are now front runners in the league, currently occupying top spot. They now have 62 points from 18 victories and eight draws.

Tuesday saw Rovers win on their first visit to Greenhous Meadow. Goals from James Husband and Kyle Bennnett saw Rovers to the top of the table.

A win would ensure Rovers retain top spot tomorrow, while a draw will only suffice if neither Sheffield United or Tranmere win.

Team News

Paul Keegan will miss out with a dead leg.

The Man with the Whistle

Mr Stephen Bratt will be in charge of tomorrow’s game.

Bratt has not been involved with Rovers since they were beaten 2-1 at Yeovil in March 2008.

Hartlepool were beaten 1-0 at home by Swindon Town in March 2010 the last time Bratt was in charge of one of their games.

Ticket Information

Tickets are available from the Keepmoat Stadium Ticket Office. Online // 01302 762576

Football League One Match Report: Shrewsbury Town v Doncaster Rovers (26/2/2013)

Following a spell of poor form, Rovers returned to winning ways in dramatic style last night.

The victory sent Rovers to the top of the table for the first time this season.

Match Action

First Half

Doncaster Rovers started the game brightly, with James Husband and Rob Jones both hitting the woodwork early on. Jones also had a goal disallowed after being flagged offside following a David Cotterill cross.

The hosts went down to ten men in the 37th minute. David McAllister jumped into a two-footed challenge on Iain Hume, and despite missing the man, the referee saw it worthy of a red card.

The sides went into the break level, with Rovers looking the most likely to score.

Half Time

Shrewsbury 0-0 Rovers

Second Half

Paul Keegan was replaced at the start of the second half, with David Syers coming on in his place.

Syers made an immediate impact and had three shots within his first five minutes.

Rovers continued to press and eventually took the lead in the 73rd minute.

David Cotterill had his shot saved before James Coppinger squared the ball for JAMES HUSBAND. Husband took a second to compose himself before placing the ball into the bottom right corner.

In the 78th minute Iain Hume met a cross from Coppinger, but his header fell straight to Weale in the Shrewsbury net.

It was Shrewsbury who got the next goal, catching Rovers on the break.

TOM EAVES picked up the ball on the edge of the area before striking straight at Woods in the net. A goalkeeping howler helped the ball on its way into the goal, levelling the scores in the last minute.

Kyle Bennett came on the replace Cotterill before the goal, and made a major impact.

On 90+3 minutes, Tommy Spurr sent the ball into the area. Eaves cleared it towards BENNETT who struck towards goal the first time of asking. A huge deflection sent the ball into the right of the net. The goal sent the Rovers’ fans into raptures, and the club top of the league.

Final Score

Shrewsbury 1-2 Rovers

Attendance – 4,886 (336) Referee – O. Langford vikingsbloggen MOTM – John Lundstram

Match Rating – *****

Line Ups

Rovers

Woods

Quinn Jones McCombe Spurr

Cotterill Keegan Lundstram Husband

Hume Coppinger

And on the bench… Maxted, Syers (Keegan – HT), Paynter (Hume – 80), Wakefield, Sinclair, Howieson, Bennett (Cotterill – 88).

Goalscorers – Husband (73), Bennett (90+2)

Shrewsbury Town

Weale

Gayle Jones Edwards Jacobson

Parry McGinn McAllister Richards

Porter Eaves

And on the bench… Anyon, Summerfield (Porter – 59), Purdie, Morgan (Parry – 74), Goldson, Wildig (McGinn – 88), Rodgers.

Goalscorers - Eaves (90)