There is still work for us to do – Rowe
DONCASTER’S League Two promotion job is almost done – just don’t tell Tommy Rowe that.
Victory over Plymouth at the fortress Keepmoat Stadium today would put Donny within touching distance of the title – but keep that to yourself as well.
The 28-year-old midfielder is still laserfocused and has no intention of celebrating until the season is over.
Rovers’ dominance this term saw them a mammoth 17 points clear of fourth-placed Stevenage heading into the weekend, and a win over their nearest challengers today would move them nine points ahead of Argyle with just seven games to play.
It’s all a far cry from Doncaster’s relegation campaign in League One last year but Rowe points to a run of just one loss in their final five games of that season as the turning point.
“I know you might expect us to but we’re certainly not looking at it as job done,” explained Rowe of the promotion push.
“Anything can happen in football – it’s a sport where momentum is absolutely massive.
“I only came to the club midway through last season but I saw how important those final few games were in creating momentum.
“We didn’t quite stay up but we got a few wins and carried that form into this year.
“But it can easily go the other way – you can start losing a few games and it builds, so we still have work to do.
“Promotion is obviously the primary objective but we want to keep going for the title.
“It would be massive to win the title but even that isn’t enough for this club – we want to win every game and I don’t see why we can’t.
“Plymouth won’t be easy – the quality of their frontline speaks for itself and they have lots of attacking threats.”
Manager Darren Ferguson has named the same starting XI for Doncaster’s last four games and unless a fit-again Andy Williams comes in for striker Alfie May, he is unlikely to change.
Rovers haven’t lost a home league game all season but Pilgrims midfielder Antoni Sarcevic, 25, isn’t concerned by that record. “We’ve both kept our momentum up to this game and it’s a massive one that could push either of us on to promotion,” explained Sarcevic.
“They’re good at home but we are full of confidence, as we should be, and form will be out the window for this match – it’s all about putting the performance in on the day.”
Derek Adams’ Pilgrims also go into this afternoon’s game in a commanding position in terms of automatic promotion. They were 11 points clear of fourth-placed Stevenage heading into the weekend – but will also have designs on the title.