Walsall vs Doncaster Rovers: The inside track
Express & Star spoke to Doncaster Daily Press reporter Ricky Charlesworth to get the lowdown on Doncaster Rovers ahead of Walsall's clash with the South Yorkshire outfit at Bescot on Boxing Day.
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1. How would you assess Doncaster's form over the first 21 games of the season?
It's a strange one to try and answer. On the face of it they're on course to do what they wanted to do, which is get promoted automatically.
But they've just struggled to consistently put together a clutch of games where they not only win but do in style.
Given the squad put together by Grant McCann, and his bold and very public aim after last season's play-off semi-final defeat about wanting to go for the title this year, then it does feel as if they're slightly below the level they should be at.
The good thing is that whenever they have lost, they've generally gone on to rectify it in the next game.
2. How important will it be for Doncaster to use their 3-1 win over Tranmere as a platform after a mixed recent spell of form?
Absolutely. McCann probably won't admit it but they really needed that win. If they'd not got it, then their winless home run would have reached the three-month mark - unacceptable for a team that's serious about automatic promotion.
They've been alot better on their travels and they'll certainly need to dig in for the next couple of trips. Colchester away, in the middle of the festive period, won't be easy but this clash against the Saddlers is arguably the biggest acid test this Rovers' side will face.
If they can record a win here, it'll really make people stand up and take notice.
3. Who is the main danger man for Walsall to watch out for?
As mentioned, McCann has put together a squad littered with quality. There's two, sometimes three options per position. If I was to pick out one player above the rest then it's probably Luke Molyneux.
On his day, he's arguably the best player in the division. The trouble for him, like most of his colleagues, has been consistently performing to a high standard.
This season has seen many times stub him out of games by doubling up on him so it's a new challenge he's had to face. But if he turns it on, he's mightily tough to stop.
4. Score prediction?
I think there'll definitely be goals in this. I'll go for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
