New Rivals? Donny v Leeds United

DONCASTER ROVERS
V
LEEDS UNITED

Arguably our biggest rivals says the Doncaster Rovers official site.  Nah...Surely that's Forest!


Is it a sign of the dizzy times Rovers' live in these days (or is it the not so dizzy times for Leeds) that we can debate whether we are rivals?  Do Leeds see us as rivals?  I'm sure United fans will let me know!

Whatever we decide, in the recent games between our two teams, Leeds hold the upper hand when it comes to results, with Rovers only managing a point against United last season.  Leeds also remain unbeaten at the Keepmoat.

Of course we've already crossed swords this season, with Leeds fans proabably maintaining that their second team beat Donny 1 : 2 in the League cup in August.  If Leeds fans want to say it was their second 11, Donny can definately say the same with many of the players who will be available tomorrow, being out with injuries on that Tuesday evening.

That night was one of Donny's better performances of the season and indeed, had they taken the chances their play created, the Rovers would have been out of sight before half time.  But they weren't and two goals from Ramon Nunez ended Rovers league cup campaign for this season.

DONCASTER ROVERS

Three matches into the Dean Saunders powered revolution at Donny and we have had an international break that our momentum, at least, could have done without.  Whether, like me, you would still prefer to see Mr. O'Driscoll still at the helm, or whether you are glad Deano has the reigns, nobody is complaining about the 7 points from 9 Rovers have been able to bag.  Yes, there has been a bit of luck involved in gaining those points but we've got them and isn't it nice to use the word "luck" in the positive sense when talking about Doncaster Rovers?

New faces joined Donny before the international break and tonight, it looks like 'keeper Chris Kirkland could be the latest.  If he does join, and gets the nod, it will be a shame for Neil Sullivan who I think has been great since coming back.  That said, you won't hear me not welcoming a third goalkeeper to the club and one who we know is not short of experience or talent.  Just fitness perhaps.

Another thing that I will certainly welcome when it comes to the Saunders era is an earlier use of substitutes.  He's certainly offered his replacements enough time to make a case for them starting the next game and has been rewarded.  This is something his predecessor was often guilty of not doing.

So who could hurt Leeds tomorrow?  The two players that spring to my mind are Billy Sharp, who should be close to full fitness now that we've had a break, and Brian Stock.  Stocky has sounded like he is coming back to being his old self and that is someone Rovers have missed for much of the last two seasons.  Yes, we were lucky to get the win at London Road, but there wasn't much lucky about this.

LEEDS UNITED

The thing about our playing Leeds on Friday is that its saved me some time.  While I was back in old Blighty last month, I saw two Donny games and two Leeds games so I'm not having to look at videos to write this preview.  On those performances, I'd have to say Rovers are going to need that luck that I've talked about.  In both games I saw, Rovers were poor although it would seem there is a tad more confidence in their camp these days. 

Leeds?  Well, while sitting in their kop, stubbornly silent, excepting songs that were purely taking the piss out of the opposition, I did see much that I could appreciate.

Unfortunately for Leeds, they faced Man United on an evening when Owen and Giggs were clicking and in the first half, they were simply outplayed.  The Red Devils were simply superb, as much as I hate to say that.  In the second, and Leeds were allowed a little more into the game.  They weren't able to do much about the result but I did see some of the traits associated with Leeds.  More chasing down and some uncompromising (although not dirty) tackles.

Then at the Amex, I saw a thriller.  It was typical Leeds.  A first half performance that future opponents will find uncomfortable viewing.  Leeds simply swept Brighton aside.  As Kanye West would put it, harder better, faster, stronger.  

But then we get a second half where it is clear how a striker with a bit about him (in this case Craig McKail-Smith) can have the Leeds defence creaking and groaning.  True, the footwork McKail-Smith used to get away from his man for the first would have had many a defender struggling but for his second, all the Leeds fans could shout at the time was "HE'S BEHIND YOU!"  Daft thing was that the defender stopped to reply "OH NO HE ISN'T!"

I've mentioned Leeds characteristics and, at the end of this excellent match, we saw another one.  They don't lie down and a good bit of route-one football ensured a very fair point was awarded to both teams.

So tick off all those Leeds traits:

• Uncompromising in the tackle
• Great going forwards
• Dodgy at the back
• Never give up (even when getting "Giggsyed")

Plenty of good players in the Leeds squad but if he comes out of the international break wih the same form that he took into it, Donny will have to be very aware of Ross McCormack.  Last season he was a third-choice striker.  Today, it difficult not to see him as first name on the team sheet.

Dean's biggest test thus far without a doubt.  Lets hope he has the Rovers ready for it!