The Iron will face Doncaster Rovers away for the third time this season, in the Emirates FA Cup second round this time, and manager Graham Alexander is expecting another cagey affair.
Having won their last six league games in a row, Alexander will be hoping his team can carry that form into the cup competition and be in the third round draw.
He previewed the tie at the Keepmoat Stadium on iFollow Iron, providing us with team news, an update on the coaching team and comments on what will be another large away following.
ON THE DONCASTER GAME…
GA: We’re looking forward to the match, it’s the third time we will be playing them at the Keepmoat this season, but we’re looking to win and be in the third round. The previous two games were both tight – a 1-0 win in the league game and a 1-1 draw in the Checkatrade Trophy before it went to penalties – and they were fiercely contested, as you would expect from two derby teams. There is local pride at stake and I expect nothing different on Sunday. It will be a tough game and both team’s motivation to win will be high. We have to go there and put in the performance we expect.
"It will be a tough game and both team’s motivation to win will be high. We have to go there and put in the performance we expect."
ON JORDAN CLARKE…
GA: He is struggling at the moment and won’t play on Sunday, which is disappointing for us and Jordan. He has been superb for us, especially in the last month. He was an integral part in a strong defensive shape and discipline. It is a hamstring injury, but we are unsure on the full extent of it until it settles down.
ON FURTHER TEAM NEWS…
GA: We are hoping to have Simon Church involved on Sunday, if not then Tuesday (v Leicester City Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy). He has trained with us this week and has looked good. We held him back just a week longer than we expected to make sure he was as fit as he can be before we introduced him back into training. He’s the only player that is coming back into this week.
ON A SHORT GAP BETWEEN THE NEXT GAME ON TUESDAY…
GA: There’s not much chance to recover in between the games, but we will be looking to use as many players as possible. We haven’t got enough players to completely change the team, but we want to win both games. We will focus on the Doncaster game fully and then reassess and see what we have to do against Leicester on Tuesday.
ON THE AWAY FANS…
GA: We know we will be taking a good backing there as we have done previously. In the league game, it was a fantastic away support. They are a big part in what we do and the players need that backing all the time. There will be moments in the game when things are going against us so we need to stick together and I include the supporters in that.
ON RECONSTRUCTING THE COACHING TEAM AFTER CHRIS LUCKETTI'S DEPARTURE…
GA: Firstly, I only wanted to concentrate on Charlton and then give myself a couple of days after to assess everything. I didn’t want to jump into anything too soon. I’m getting a little bit clearer in my mind, but I like to take my time over big decisions until I am 100 per cent sure. The players are the most important thing in all of this to make sure they are prepared, and they will be prepared.
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