BLUEBIRDS LOOK TO EXTEND GAP AT THE TOP
- Sam Hill
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Cardiff City return to the CCS to face Doncaster Rovers in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash. Brian Barry-Murphy’s side will be aiming for a fifth consecutive league win as they look to extend their lead at the top against Grant McCann’s Rovers.
The Opposition:
Grant McCann returned to Doncaster Rovers in May 2023 when the club were 18th in League Two. He quickly turned their fortunes around, leading them to a fifth-place finish in 2023/24 and, the following season, to the League Two title, deservedly landing the LMA League Two Manager of the Year award.
The step up to League One has been challenging. Doncaster currently sit 19th, just three points above the relegation zone. They struggle to score goals, averaging just 0.9 goals per game (20th in the league), while conceding 26 in 19 matches.
McCann favours a 4-2-3-1 system with high-tempo, front-foot football, aggressive pressing, and attacking full-backs. When effective they can sustain pressure and create chances, but the approach often leaves them exposed defensively, particularly on transitions. Cardiff’s superior squad quality should allow them to exploit these spaces, though Doncaster are capable of causing upsets if their energy and confidence click.
This summer, Doncaster worked with a small budget, bringing in mainly free transfers and loans. Notable arrivals include Seán Grehan, Robbie Gotts, Brandon Hanlan, Glenn Middleton, and Matty Pearson, alongside loanees such as goalkeeper Thimothée Lo-Tutala and young talents Damola Ajayi, Connor O’Riordan, Charlie Crew, and Toyosi Olusanya.
Key departures include Joe Ironside and long-serving defender Tom Anderson, with several squad players released or loaned.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff are in fine form, winning their last four League One matches and sitting four points clear at the top. Their most recent victory came at Stevenage, with Callum Robinson’s spectacular late half-volley securing a 1-0 win.
Barry-Murphy’s side can target Doncaster’s defensive vulnerabilities with quick switches into wide areas and by exploiting space left by advanced full-backs. The Bluebirds’ two-plus-one midfield structure should also help them control the tempo and capitalise on transitions, while set pieces provide another potential threat against a Rovers side that has struggled to deal with crosses in recent games.
Opposition Player to Watch:
Luke Molyneux came through Sunderland’s academy, had a loan spell at Gateshead, and then a permanent move to Hartlepool. He then settled at Doncaster after joining permanently in June 2022. Since then, he has become the club’s chief creative and scoring outlet. He played a pivotal role in Doncaster’s 2024/25 League Two title-winning campaign, scoring 16 goals and providing 12 assists, earning the Golden Boot and multiple awards.
Known for his pace, direct dribbling, intelligent movement, and a dangerous left foot, Molyneux has already contributed three goals and four assists in 18 league appearances this season. Cardiff will need to keep him under close watch, as he is capable of turning games on his own.
Last Meeting:
Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Cardiff City (January 2012)
The last competitive meeting between Cardiff and Doncaster came nearly 14 years ago, a goalless draw at the Keepmoat Stadium in the 2011/12 Championship season.
That year, Rovers were relegated in 24th, while the Bluebirds finished sixth, losing to West Ham in the play-off semi-finals.
Remarkably, one player from that era remainsinvolved in the current fixture: 39-year-old Billy Sharp, now in his fourth spell at Doncaster. He has started 15 games this season, contributing three goals and one assist.
Team News:
Cardiff City – Ollie Tanner has returned to full training, but it is still too early to feature, while Gabriel Osho, Rubin Colwill, and Eli King remain out.
Doncaster Rovers – Experienced defender Matty Pearson and attacker Toyosi Olusanya are sidelined with injuries, and key midfielder George Broadbent is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card against Stockport.
Preferred XI:
GK - Nathan Trott
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB - Calum Chambers
LCB – Dylan Lawlor
LB - Joel Bagan
CDM - Ryan Wintle
CDM – Alex Robertson
CAM – Callum Robinson
RW – Omari Kellyman
LW - Isaak Davies
ST – Yousef Salech
Score Prediction:
Cardiff City 3-1 Doncaster Rovers
I expect Doncaster to pose a threat particularly through Luke Molyneux, whose pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability make him a constant danger.
However, McCann’s side like to play on the front foot and rarely sit back, leaving spaces that Cardiff can exploit.
The Bluebirds should enjoy freedom down the flanks through flying full-backs Ronan Kpakio and Joel Bagan, while in-form forwards Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson provide the finishing touches.
Cardiff will be aiming for a fifth consecutive league win, and I expect their momentum to continue at the top, with an entertaining 3-1 victory likely.
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