Millwall v Doncaster: Ferguson will attack Rovers’ defensive concerns
Rovers face their third away encounter in the space of seven days at Millwall tonight with just two confirmed centre-halves at Ferguson’s disposal in Andy Butler and Luke McCullough, who both had a difficult time in Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing at the Scot’s former club Peterborough.
Gary Mackenzie is still sidelined with injury and veteran Rob Jones is short of match sharpness ahead of tonight’s game at The Den.
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Hide AdRovers’ susceptibility at set-pieces again flared up with another poor concession at Posh, with Ferguson mindful of his lack of bonafide central defensive options at present – with the squad, in his view, somewhat unbalanced.
Ferguson said: “I think we are short of defenders and you can see that. We’ve only got two centre-halves fit and we’ll have to see how Rob reacts after training and we’ve only got one right-back in Mitch (Lund).
“Aaron (Taylor-Sinclair) can play as a third centre-half and at left-back. But we’re unbalanced because we have a load of midfield players and attackers and just need to get the balance right.
“Of course, I want to assess all the players and give them the opportunity. But it’s up to me to challenge them every day and that’s what I will be doing.
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Hide Ad“A job has got to be done, simple as that. You can either do it with the ones you have got or without them. That’s up to them.”
With a third away trip in a week to negotiate, training time at Cantley Park has been limited, with set-piece drills having taken pre-eminence.
Ferguson added: “I’ve just said, ‘go and head the ball and stop your man scoring a goal’. We need to show a desire to do that and in two games I have been here, we have lost two (goals) from set-pieces and five throughout the season.
“There are always areas to improve and that statistic is one that keeps happening.”
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Hide AdNathan Tyson (dead leg) will be assessed before kick-off. Keshi Anderson is more likely to return at home to Colchester on Saturday. Young loanee James Horsfield has returned to parent club Manchester City.
Last six games: Millwall DLWWDW, Doncaster DWLLWL.
Referee: C Breakspear (Surrey).
Last time: Millwall 0 Doncaster 0; April 21, 2014; Championship.