Doncaster Rovers vs Bromley preview

Nine games without a win play second in the league away from home.

What could possibly go wrong?

Arguably, tonight’s encounter represents Bromley’s toughest of the season, with very few giving them any chance of a draw much less a victory.

Doncaster manager Grant McCann is in his second spell as manager, having led Rovers to two play-off seasons in each spell. While promotion eludes him, there can be no doubt that Doncaster will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

Like many of the teams Bromley will come across this season, the Rovers have an embarrassment of riches that far outweighs anything Bromley can pertain to possess.

Even though they lost their brilliant loanees from last season (Thimothée Lo-Tutala, midfielder Matthew Craig, and wide-forward Hakeeb Adelakun), some of the additions for this season need no introduction.

Striker Billy Sharp continues to belie his age. Joe Sbarra, who scored against Bromley in the play-off final, joined from Solihull Moors. Talented midfielder Harry Clifton arrived from Grimsby Town. And Chelsea youngster Teddy Sharman-Lowe (remember him) is their new number one.

They join a talented squad full of proven League Two talent, including Luke Molyneux, Joseph Olowu, Joe Ironside, and Owen Bailey, to name but a few. 

Interestingly, although Doncaster sit second, they have only conceded two fewer goals than Bromley. This rather proves my point that it isn’t as simple as saying Bromley’s defence is bad. They are just guilty of inopportune match-losing errors. 

By no means would I say that Bromley stand no chance tonight. In fact, I fully expect them to fashion more than their fair share of opportunities. Will they take them?

Based on how Doncaster set up, it is likely they will play a similar shape to Bromley. What they have up their sleeve is strength-in-depth and an ability to change the game from the bench.

Andy Woodman has a lot on his plate and so much to think about. He must be more frustrated than the average entitled Bromley fan.

Once you strip the emotion out of your analysis, I think it would be quite the take to argue that Bromley are playing badly. They have just been repeatedly punished when they make unforced errors. 

The real issue for tonight is simply whether Michael Cheek is fit or not. If any of the myriad chances that came Bromley’s way on Saturday had fallen to him, we wouldn’t be talking about nine games without a win.

If Cheek makes it, Bromley stand a chance. If he is unfit, then your guess is as good as mine in regards to how Andy Woodman will set up his team. 

Few would complain if several changes were made tonight as we may have reached that point of the season. But would several changes also speak to a certain panic in the ranks?

Over to you. Which XI would you pick?

The From Bromley with Love XI

Smith

Jenkinson Sowunmi Grant

Imray Thompson Leigh Odutayo

Whitely

Cheek Olomola

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Please note all match photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Twitter here

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