Previewing Doncaster - Ex-QPR and Doncaster's Rufus Brevett Talks About His Two Clubs and Predicts...Doncaster

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Doncaster Free Press - Rufus tips Rovers to beat QPR
Rufus Brevett talks to Jonathan Jurejko

Rufus Brevett is one of Rovers' youth system's most successful finds - spending much of his post-Belle Vue career in the Premier League. After joining Rovers from school he made his debut as a 17-year-old in 1987 and played 118 times for the club before joining QPR in the top flight in a big money move four years later. Currently studying for his coaching badges Surrey-based Rufus is aiming to return to the game in the near future.

WHAT has happened at Doncaster since I left is just a fairytale. When I was there we got relegated to the old Fourth Division and then - not long after - Rovers went down into the Conference.

It's hard to believe when a team falls out of the League that within ten years they could be just one step away from the Premier League - it's just fantasy.

Rovers were my first professional club and it's one of the first results I look out for.

I don't see them much live but I have watched them a few times on television and they have always impressed me.

The type of football they play is pleasing on the eye and it's nice to see - you can tell the players enjoy playing that way.

I definitely think that this style is the key to success in the Championship and the type of football we used to play under Jean Tigana at Fulham was very similar - it was a passing game.

Clearly it's much easier to play with the ball than without the ball and the way Doncaster knock it about is quality.

I've been a few times to QPR recently and they're also one of the first results I look out for.

Last season was disappointing but this time there are massive, massive expectations because of the new owners and the money they have got.

Iain Dowie has got a good record in this division but the one thing against them is the pressure, especially at home, and how they handle it.

If QPR don't start well and Doncaster manage to keep the ball and frustrate the home fans then that is the way forward for Rovers.

QPR have signed some exciting young players from abroad but it's a different ball game over here.

It's how these players adapt and bed in.

Whether the QPR fans will give them time remains to be seen - it's all good when things are going well but when things are difficult they can turn quickly.

It would great for me to see both sides do well and I think it will be a really good game on Saturday.

Although Dowie likes his teams to play football QPR can go direct but, when playing against a side like Doncaster, you've got to play football as well.

If you try and go long you wouldn't see the ball for ten minutes because Doncaster can just keep it for fun.

Prediction: I'm not going to sit on the fence - QPR 1 Doncaster 2.
Free Press Prediction: Rovers make a point - QPR 2 Doncaster 2. Doncaster Free Press


Doncaster Free Press Tall order for Rovers

SEAN O'Driscoll could make changes to his starting line up as Doncaster Rovers bid to continue their bright start to life in the Championship away to moneybags promotion candidates Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Rangers are backed by some of the wealthiest men in - and outside - the country and have set their sights on the Premiership.

But O'Driscoll's men are determined to continue their 'dare to dream' theme by maintaining their unbeaten Championship record at Loftus Road.

The Doncaster boss has been pleased with his team's performances so far but reckons the trip to London could pose a different challenge.

Rangers are a physically strong side with seven or eight six footers in their squad and Barnsley found out just how dangerous they can be at set pieces when 6ft 4ins centre back Fitz Hall scored twice against them on the opening day of the season.

O'Driscoll said: "We've played the same team and done well so far but I don't have a problem in changing things if the occasion warrants it.

"Rangers have a mixture of players.

"They've added some Italians and Spanish players but they are also very strong in certain areas and we have to be aware of that.

"I have never thought that you should be too fixated on your opponents because, for me, it is always how we perform that matters most.

"But, at the same time, you have to take everything into account when you prepare for games."
Dutch defender Jos van Nieuwstadt, who did not have a full pre-season with Rovers, came through an hour of a reserve friendly against Chesterfield on Tuesday and could be set to return to the squad but strikers Darren Byfield and Jason Price did not play in the match.

Both men are back in full training after surgery and will probably have outings in a friendly against Leeds United next week.

Rovers are unlucky not to be chasing a third league win in a row this Saturday after having victory snatched from their grasp two minutes from time at home to Cardiff last Saturday.

The Welshmen equalised in the most fortuitous of circumstances when Neil Sullivan and Adam Lockwood collided as they went to clear the ball and former Rovers loan striker Ross McCormack volleyed home a gift goal from close range.

In their own words the players were 'gutted' at the finish after looking to have three more points in the bag but the Doncaster boss was as impassive as ever.

O'Driscoll said: "I'm not blaming Neil or Adam.

"They were both trying to take responsibility and these things happen - that's football.

"We are still on a learning curve and finding our feet in this division and we will have more than a few setbacks on the way.

"We've coped quite well so far, and we can be proud of that, but
there's a long, long way to go." Doncaster Free Press