GRANT McCann believes his in-form Doncaster Rovers side will have to be at their ‘very best’ to beat Colchester United and keep their winning run going tonight.
Rovers have been in superb form in League Two, claiming nine consecutive wins to soar up the table and move to the verge of play-off places.
They have scored 22 goals and conceded only four in those nine games, keeping six clean sheets and tonight come up against a Colchester side who need a point to secure their EFL status.
McCann was at the JobServe Community Stadium to watch the U’s 2-0 win over Grimsby Town last Tuesday night and the Rovers boss admits he is expecting a tough test against Danny Cowley’s side.
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McCann told the Doncaster Rovers FC website: “I think Danny’s certainly got them going.
“We’ve watched quite a bit of them now in all different type of games and opposition they’ve played against.
“They’ve got good players and I know they’ll be well coached, well drilled.
“Danny’s obviously been there and done it and always done a very good job at any club he’s been at, so we know this will be a very tough game away from home.
“I watched them last Tuesday night against Grimsby.
“They were dominant in the first half and probably should have been two or three goals up.
“Grimsby had a bit of a spell but then Colchester took the game away from them with Akinde’s goal.
“They’ve got good individual players and a lot of players that I like in their team and their squad, so we’re going to have to be at our very best to win the game.”
Doncaster travelled yesterday in preparation for tonight’s game, on request from their players.
“It’s more about what the players want really,” said McCann.
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“Initially, we had down to go down on the Tuesday morning and maybe have some day beds, which I’m not really a fan of.
“I’m also not a fan of going the day before, because I still think it’s a long day the next day but it’s striking the balance.
“The players have obviously asked me to go the day before which is not a problem.
“That is what we’ll do but ultimately, it’s about making sure that we get the players best prepared for the game and if that’s going down the day before and making sure we get a good night’s sleep, then so be it.
“Ultimately, it’s what we do when the game kicks off at 7.45pm.”
Doncaster lie eighth in the table and only out of the play-off places on goal difference after launching a dramatic comeback against Barrow last weekend, coming back from two goals down to win 4-2 at the Eco Power Stadium.
McCann added: “We’ve had some tough games and we’ve kept coming back.
“Teams have had spells against us which they always will.
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“We’ve shown a real edge and determination to defend first and foremost and then also, to go to the other end and score.
“During this spell, we’ve scored quite a few goals and defensively, we’ve been strong so it’s been pleasing but after the (Barrow) game, we spoke about the game for literally about a minute or so, just to tell the boys ‘well done on the comeback’ etc but the focus shifted quickly for me and the players straight after the game, onto this game on Tuesday night.”
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