THE CONDITION OF DONCASTER PITCH...

'Keepmoat pitch is huge worry for O'Driscoll

Published Date: 27 September 2008
By Ian Appleyard
Doncaster Rovers v Southampton

DONCASTER Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll has expressed concerns about the state of the pitch at the club's Keepmoat
Stadium.
The pitch, which is also used by the Doncaster Dragons rugby club, staged four games of American football last weekend as part of the BritBowl XXII event.

Ahead of today's Championship game against Southampton, O'Driscoll said: "I know it's a business and a £32m stadium needs to pay its own way, but it's not an ideal situation. I am dreading what it is going be like this weekend.

"It looks nice from the stands, but it's not cracked up as it's meant to be. It is an asset and people need to take care of it. Sooner or later, it's going to need a major refurbishment because of the usage it gets."

O'Driscoll admits that the state of the pitch may even prevent defender Matthew Mills playing against his former club today after he limped off with a calf strain in last weekend's defeat at Bristol City.

"The pitch is notoriously hard," he said. "We have had visiting managers who have risked a player with a calf strain and they have had to take him off before half-time. We don't want Matthew's strain to become a pull."

Rovers striker Tomi Ameobi has been sent on loan to Grimsby Town for a month to gain experience of first-team football.

Ameobi, 20, has yet to play for Rovers since moving on a free transfer from Leeds United in the summer.'

Sounds like we now have an excuse for a poor performance!!

Hope no-one picks up an injury....

There might just be a case of packing our defence and praying for a goal from someone. Skill might not be a factor with uneven bounce and that means I might just change my selection again for the comp.