Gab Sutton weekly: Doncaster look banker material for League Two's top three

In his latest exclusive column for Odds Now, English Football League expert Gab Sutton (@GabSutton) explains why Doncaster look a rock-solid proposition to seal automatic promotion out of League Two over the next few weeks.

Fate in their own hands

After a 2-0 victory at Cheltenham last time out, Doncaster have their fate in their own hands.

Yes, Grant McCann’s side have the challenge – or opportunity – of facing three rivals for automatic promotion in their final six games, but they enter the business end in fine fettle with one defeat in nine.

Key defender Jay McGrath is back, after a substitute appearance at Whaddon Road, to displace Tom Anderson – or more likely veteran Richard Wood.

Driven right-back Jamie Sterry has enjoyed sumptuous form in the second half of the season after a slow start, while left-back Jack Senior has struck up an excellent relationship with Joe Sbarra, who made a late difference from the bench last time out, and Luke Molyneux when he floats over to his side.

Billy Sharp is fit as a fiddle, even at 39, and his knack of scoring important goals could come up trumps at the business end, but Rob Street is the man in form: eight goals in 16 league appearances for the Lincoln loanee since joining in January.

With Molyneux providing moments of real craft with his cultured left foot, and fellow winger Jordan Gibson highly capable on his day too, Doncaster have genuine quality out wide.

The big question is whether they have enough creativity in central areas, to complement the range of qualities offered by midfielder Owen Bailey, but George Broadbent is improving the technical side of his game to embrace a deeper, more playmaking role.

Patrick Kelly has talent too, even if destructive #10 Harry Clifton is more about athleticism and stamina.

McCann the man

So, Donny look like a side that has the minerals to grind out results at this stage of the season, and they have arguably the best manager in League Two in Grant McCann.

The Northern Irishman has previous in even the division above, winning the League One title with Hull in 2020-21, as well as getting Rovers to the Play-Offs at that level in 2018-19.

Having gathered some experience in his career now, McCann remains highly ambitious, and the drive he has in his career is mirrored by the drive in his team, which is always aggressive, full of energy, and has a thirst to attack.

With Bradford and Walsall both out of form at a crucial stage, Doncaster could be best placed to profit from any slip-ups.

Plus, if Rovers, 8/11 with Bet365 for a top three finish, can use their game in hand to gain four points on Bradford between now and the penultimate weekend, it would mean that a victory in that game would guarantee them finishing above the Bantams – and that could go a long, long way towards their ultimate goal.

Gab's banker - Doncaster top three finish in League Two - 8/11 (Bet365)