OPPONENTS GUIDE #10:BURNLEY(H)

Burnley will be coming to South Yorkshire on Tuesday night to play Doncaster in what should be a great match.

The Clarets have had good memories.Their promotion to the Premier League in 2009 was a fantastic achievement,but one that was short lived following relegation that season.

The last time the teams met at home,Burnley were 2-1 winners,with Charlie Austin netting the winner in the second half.

THE GROUND-TURF MOOR

The stadium lies in the middle of Burnley near a butchers' shop and was opened in 1883.In 2007,it had the capacity increased to 22,545 ahead of the 2007/08.The attendances rose rapidly in the top flight season and even today,the club are well supported.

THE GAFFER-SEAN DYCHE

Former Watford and Chesterfield defender Sean Dyche had worked for Watford as a coach and manager before departing The Vic in 2012.But he wasn't unemployed for long,being hired by the Burnley board a few months later.He now wants to get Burnley back into the Premier League and is doing well in aiming to do that.

SIX OF THE BEST

TOM HEATON-NO STRANGER TO THE LEAGUE

A former Manchester United reserve team player,Heaton has had a career to speak of.He saved a Steven Gerrard penalty in the 2012 Carling Cup final whilst he was Cardiff.A season at Bristol City saw him move to Burnley this season.

KIERAN TRIPPIER-SMART SKILLS

Kieran has settled at Burnley after he signed in 2011.He is 22 years old and is a popular player in the league,known for his volleys and skills to trick opponents.

MICHAEL DUFF-CUSTODIAN

The Northern Irish defender has been a part of the club since 2004,joining from Cheltenham to reunite with Steve Cotterill.He has had a rough time as of recent due to a series of injuries and substitute appearances but aims to get back in the good books.

SCOTT ARFIELD-GREAT SCOTT!

The Scot moved to Huddersfield from Falkirk in 2008,where he became a recognisable midfielder in League One for his goals.He left the Terriers to join Sean Dyche at Burnley on a free transfer,and is showing why Scotland should call him up for international games.

SAM VOKES-TALISMAN GOAL MACHINE

A former Bournemouth player under Sean O'Driscoll,Wales international Sam is one of Burnley's most crucial players,both on and off the pitch.On the pitch he scores,and has become the main focus since Charlie Austin'a departure in August 2013.He has adapted to the pressure well though and plays with passion.Off the pitch,he works for charities and school communities.

DANIEL INGS-VOKES' PARTNER

Young Daniel has been something of a fan favourite since he joined from Bournemouth in 2011.He has pace,so the defence on Tuesday best beware!He also has a caring side,giving a disabled young fan his boots last week as a present.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0-1 DONCASTER

Kiko Macheda kept up his impressive scoring form in the Championship by heading the winner in a fiery derby match.

The start of the first half proved to the fans how desperate Wednesday are to win.Striker Atdhe Nuhiu flicked the ball on for the head of Jermaine Johnson,the midfielder missing the ball.

With ten minutes gone,Sheffield Wednesday tried to score again.Albanian Nuhiu had a shot at goal,but the acrobatics of Ross Turnbull denied the giant player.After 20 minutes,Nuhiu was booked for a foul.

Nuhiu was doing most of the work in the half and was at it again soon after.Miguel Llera ran past Khumalo to find Nuhiu who attempted a cheeky tap-in,but ex-Owl Rob Jones denied him on the line.27 minutes went,and Nuhiu assisted Jordan Spence but he missed.

The second half looked more lively,and it was the striker Nuhiu doing more.He recovered from a Coppinger tackle to try from 30 yards-same he couldn't keep it on target.

It was then time for Rovers to have a go themselves.A mistake in the Wednesday midfield saw Paul Quinn make a desperate run and cross,but Chris Brown had a close range shot blocked by Kirkland.

Over an hour passed,and it was Wednesday going for the net again.Only this time it wasn't Atdhe Nuhiu-but Frenchman Jérémy Hélan who struck the post.Two minutes later,a deadly Reda Johnson cross met Miguel Llera's boot,but Ross Turnbull superbly saved his fierce boot.

Kiko Macheda has been something of a fan favourite despite joining Doncaster only three weeks ago.And when Coppinger crossed into the box,the Italian hit the back of the net with 20 minutes to go until full time.

It was then Doncaster pumping it up more.Substitute Mark Duffy evaded Reda Johnson and Roger Johnson but missed the chance to cross.Then,Kiko Macheda was denied three times from three consecutive efforts-first by Giles Coke,then twice by Chris Kirkland.

Deep into added time,Duffy went for goal from in his own half,but missed by a whisker.It is now Donny's first win in 7 but a result that sees the Owls slip into the relegation zone.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

WEDNESDAY STRIKER ATDHE NUHIU,SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPETER:

"It was a local affair which was very heated and the competition was high.In the second half,the opponents went 1-0 up and we could see how much it meant to them."

"It gave them a lot of momentum;the manager and players saw it.I was probably the only one who did the work today for my team and I'm admitting it.Overall,we've let the fans down further today with the defeat adding to last week where we lost 4-1."

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY BOSS DAVE JONES:

“I feel so sorry for everyone connected to the club today because the players have worked their socked offs and got no reward.We did so well in so many areas, we have created chances but it just wouldn’t go in for us."

"We’ve had one cleared off the line and I don’t know how their keeper got down at the far post to deny Miguel Llera.But we can’t and won’t feel sorry for ourselves because that was a good performance."

DONCASTER BOSS PAUL DICKOV:

"We've got the credit our whole back line today. Paul Quinn coming back in was fantastic for us."

"Kiko believes he's going to score every game. He puts chances away when it matters the most,not when he can.We saw that in the first half we wouldn't win being consistent,so changed and it worked."

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 

• 01 Kirkland
• 03 R Johnson
• 08 Johnson
• 26 Spence Booked (Maghoma - 84' )
• 32 Llera
• 07 Antonio
• 14 Coke
• 17 Helan
• 27 McPhail
• 11 J Johnson (Fryatt - 69' )
• 34 Nuhiu Booked

Substitutes

• 31 Dawson
• 05 Zayatte
• 06 Semedo
• 10 Maghoma
• 16 McCabe
• 22 Palmer
• 28 Fryatt

DONCASTER ROVERS

• 01 Turnbull
• 02 Quinn
• 03 Husband
• 05 Jones
• 14 Khumalo
• 04 Furman (Coppinger - 46' )
• 18 Keegan Booked
• 19 Wellens Booked
• 09 Brown Booked
• 10 Macheda (Duffy - 83' )
• 22 Robinson (Cotterill - 64' )

Substitutes

• 13 Maxted
• 12 McCullough
• 15 Wakefield
• 07 Duffy
• 11 Cotterill
• 23 Bennett
• 26 Coppinger

REFEREE J Moss

ATTENDENCE 23,284

ROVERS LEGEND #21:JAMIE LAWRENCE

Jamie Lawrence was the 1990s version of Joey Barton,bit with buzzard hair styles.He had dreadlocks when he was at Doncaster and was named 'Pineapple head.'

When he was youth player,Londoner Jamie was often on the wrong side of the law and in 1990,aged 20,he went to prison for robbery.He was scouted by Sunderland whilst he was inside by Terry Butcher.He signed on non-contract terms in 1994 after his release.

He then had a brief stay at Doncaster before moving to Leicester in 1995,who were struggling.He spent two years at Filbert Street and made 41 appearances.

His big move came when he completed a deal to sign for Bradford in 1997.He was a bargain for Chris Kamara's team and cost £50,000.He earned promotion to the top flight and then became recognisable for his hair styles and dyes.He left the Bantams in 2003 to look elsewhere.

Brief spells at Wigan,Walsall,Brentford and non-contract terms at Grimsby under Russell Slade.After a career in the professional stages,he moved to the lower non-leagues.

He eventually retired in 2009 aged 39.The reason was due to a knee injury he sustained whilst jogging.Since he quit,he has worked for soccer schools in London.

He lives in London with his wife.

JONES WELCOMES JONES RETURN

Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones hopes to give Doncaster skipper Rob Jones a warm welcome back to Hillsborough.

Rob captained Sheffield Wednesday to promotion in the 2011/12 season in what he described as a 'fantastic career highlight by far.'

"We need to give Rob some sort of credit for his work at the club when he was captain.He was a good team leader on the pitch and although I did release him after the promotion had been won,I feel he was a good addition to our squad that year",says Dave.

Sheffield Wednesday are yet to win a league game whereas Doncaster are three places above the relegation zone.Jones can make his 300th football appearance if he starts.

LE TISSIER BACKS LAMBERT FOR WORLD CUP

Former Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier has tipped England and Saints star Rickie Lambert for the World Cup in 2014.

Le Tissier,who will go down in history as one of Southampton's all-time greatest players,played for the Premier League side from 1986 until 2002 and made 443 appearances.

Lambert joined Southampton in 2009 from Bristol Rovers,signing for the club during a time which saw them in administration.However,his goals proved vital in what would be back-to-back promotions for the club under Nigel Adkins.

Lambert made his debut for England last month in a friendly against Scotland scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 win.

"What Rickie has done has been phenomenal," Le Tissier told journalists,"Lambert has put himself in Hodgson's thoughts. I don't think we're overly blessed with attacking options in England at the moment."

OPPONENTS GUIDE #9:SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY(A)

This Saturday is the South Yorkshire derby between Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster.It will be a tough one to navigate;the Owls haven't won a league game yet and Doncaster are 19th.

Wednesday have had success in the past century,most recently beating Arsenal to win the League Cup in 1993.However,they were relegated to League One under Chris Turner in 2003 and returned to the second tier in 2005 under Paul Sturrock.When he was sacked,Brian Laws took over and was in the hot seat until December 2009.

Alan Irvine tried to save the club,but in 2010 Wednesday returned back to League One where they stayed for two years.

THE GROUND-HILLSBOROUGH

It's undoubtedly a fan's dream to visit this infamous 44,000 seater stadium in Owlerton.It is known especially for the tragedy of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 which killed 96 people.In recent times however,it has seen promotions and last season a survival match,which Wednesday won 2-0 to stay in the league.

THE GAFFER-DAVE JONES

It can be said that Liverpudlian Dave Jones has had a dramatic managerial career which has seen him slip up at the last minute at every club so far.He left Stockport for Southampton in 1997,but paedophilia charges forced him out in 2000.

He then became Wolves boss in 2001,guiding the Black Country team to the Premier League in 2003.He was sacked a year after due to a poor set of results.

The next stop was Cardiff City.He became the manager of the club in June 2005 and left in May 2011 after two failed playoff attempts.He since joined Sheffield Wednesday in March 2012 and was unbeaten when they won promotion.Surprisingly,he lives in Doncaster!

SIX OF THE BEST

CHRIS KIRKLAND-EX DONCASTER PLAYER

Ex-Liverpool and England international,Kirkland signed for Donny on-loan from Wigan in October 2011,but a spine injury saw him leave early.He since joined the Owls and is a regular starter.

REDA JOHNSON-COLOSSAL CENTRAL 

The Benin defender has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with his native country.He is a well-known defender who has powerful headers and footwork to confuse forwards and midfielders alike.

JÉRÉMY HÉLAN-MAGNIFIQUE!

French midfielder who was a reserve player at Manchester City before moving south.He is a fast player,so is useful for the midfield with Steve McPhail.He has also played for the France U20 team.

MICHAIL ANTONIO-FURIOUS FEET

Antonio was a good loan signing for Dave Jones when he originally joined for a season last campaign.The 23-year-old has now become a permanent deal and has signed a two-year-deal to keep him in Yorkshire until 2015.He is a usual on the right wing and puts in the crosses.

JERMAINE JOHNSON-THE REGGAE BOY

Johnson has spent a lot of time in Jamaica before going to Bradford in 2005.Currently Wednesday's longest serving player,Johnson can dribble the ball into the opponents' territory in a bid to assist or,on some occasions,go for the top corner.

ADTHE NUHIU-GIANT GOAL MACHINE

6'6" Adthe Nuhiu has one of the hardest names to pronounce in the league(Ad-thay Noo-He).The 24-year-old Albanian has played in the Europa League for Rapid Wien and scored at Aston Villa's Villa Park aged 19.He recently left a turbulent spell in Turkey for Eskihesphor in which he struggled to understand the culture,and now plays in front of the Hillsborough faithful.He scored a neat volley against QPR on the opening day.

 

ROVERS LEGEND #20:GEORGE FRIEND

George had only just experienced the highs of the Premier League shortly before his release from Wolves,and had previous success in lower leagues.

George was born in 1987 in Devon.He signed a professional contract with Exeter City in March 2006 having been part of the development there.He was a quick learner as a left-back,as quoted by manager Paul Tisdale a month later.

He was quick to catch attention in the 2007/08 season for a series of superb performances and the result was deserved.Not only did he win promotion to League Two,he was approached by Championship side Wolves.He joined the club for a Exeter record of £350,000.

He soon realised how tough the big time in Wolverhampton was.He couldn't make the team in both the Championship and the Premier League.However,he did get the chance to play at Old Trafford in a league match.Apart from that game,he was loaned out to Millwall and Scunthorpd United.

He signed on a free for Doncaster in 2010 and went straight into the team.On 11th September 2010,he scored his first goal for Donny in a 2-2 draw away at Watford.After an injury in the late stages of the 2010/11 campaign,he was made captain.

He kept the armband for the start of the 2011/12 season and won the Fans' Player of the Season.Doncaster were relegated and he was put up for sale.

In July 2012,he completed a deal to join Middlesbrough for £100,000.He became a recognised face for his community work and was a fans' favourite in the 2012/13 season.

George now lives near Hartlepool.

INJURED McCOMBE 'SCARED STIFF'

Doncaster defender Jamie McCombe has told the official club website of how his spine injury left him feeling physically scared.

The 30-year-old broke his spine last month in the game against Blackburn.He told of what the rehabilitation process was like for him and his family.

"I have a back brace on until October.After I've had it taken off,I'll go and have another CT scan to see if the bone had healed."

"The thought of breaking my spine nearly made me depressed.I have a toddler who loves running around,so the though of being paralysed kicked in knowing I'd never be able to do that if I hurt myself so badly."

"The physio thankfully got to the root of the problem and I'm sure to be back soon."

MAN CITY:LOST IN TRANSLATION

Manchester City are a very multinational squad to say the least,with players coming from different continents and cultures.This makes them one of the most multilingual clubs in the world.

Just ask Fernandinho,the Brazilian midfielder who joined the club in the summer.

"There are lots of different languages being spoken in the dressing room.I sometimes find it hard to keep track due to the variety.One minute I hear Spanish and the next maybe English or French."

In a recent census,Manchester was revealed to have a population which in total speaks up to 200 languages,so it's no surprise that there is diversity at the club.

"It's a problem sometimes because we all don't understand each other",says Monternegro striker Stevan Jovetic,"But they say football is universal and we accept that."

A FOOTBALL MATCH IN NORTH KOREA

Surprisingly,tourists who enter North Korea are encouraged to attend sporting venues and,as you can imagine,the football matches in the communist state are nothing like those of Europe.

The match is between Pyongnang FC and Armokgang,a military-based club at the 75,000 seater Kim Il-Sung Stadium.Outside there are no programme sellers or hot dog stands-its virtually dead.

The game was a sellout,which in itself is unexpected.There are rows upon rows of men all wearing the same clothes with badges on their coats.They aren't of any particular clubs but of the supreme leader.The fans also sit in silence-there's no chanting or singing.

Half time and it is 0-0.There is a little bit of entertainment as a brass band play at half time.The second half soon starts.

Armokgang get a penalty on 60 minutes,which they score.This produces clapping from the fans in what was a dull match in terms of atmosphere if you were from the west.

THE PROPOGANDA WORLD CUP

North Korea qualified for the 2010 World Cup and had a tough group consisting of Brazil,Portugal and Cote D'Ivorie.They lost all three games,not to mention a 7-0 defeat to Portugal,and scored once against the 2002 winners.

However,despite the 2-1 defeat to Brazil,North Korea broadcasted the game live on state TV.It was a total lie-the presenter described Brazil as 'evil' and when Jae Sae-To scored,they said he'd done 'the motherland proud.'

Even worse-North Koreans were made to believe they'd won the World Cup.

Their head coach at the time has claimed that he'd been receiving advice from Kim Jong-Il using 'mobiles phone invisible to the naked eye.'That in mind,the team failed their leader.

The punishment was to cost some players dearly.Their captain Hong Jong-Yo was forced to head a ball for 48 consecutive hours as punishment for missing an open goal;he collapsed after 7.

The rest of the team were made to work on a building site and swim in icy water.One player died of hypothermia.

DONCASTER 2-2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

A brace from loanee striker Kiko Macheda on his home debut helped Doncaster get a point in a fairly local affair.

With two minutes gone,Jamie Mackie had a go at testing Ross Turnbull but the former Middlesborough man saved the effort.The forward then tried again the minutes later but headed over.

Over half an hour into the match and Doncaster's simple movement led to a simpler finish.Theo Robinson served the ball on plate for Kiko Macheda who slotted home.

Chris Cohen may be a crucial player this season in another promotion push for the Reds,and goals will help.A superb volley into the top right levelled the score going into half time.

Forest were denied a penalty on 48 minutes.Darius Henderson passed to Mackie who went down in the box,but the referee said no.

It was a game changer at the time.Macheda regained the lead through a low drill under Karl Darlow after Theo Robinson's shot was blocked.

Doncaster were then patronised by the strikers.A neat bit of skill from Eric Lichaj was aiming for Andy Reid,but Donny midfielder Dean Furman headed over for a corner.

Ten minutes were left and a moment of individual brilliance came from Reid.The Irishman has been crucial in the last few seasons,and his 25-yard piledriver sent the away fans home with a fair share of the points.

VIEW FROM THE TOUCHLINE

DONCASTER BOSS PAUL DICKOV:

"Macheda wanted to play football and we could offer that. He has shown his finishing today and there is more to come.He was the main focus today due to the work he put in."

FOREST BOSS BILLY DAVIES:

"Sometimes a point away from home is a good result but today I thought we should have had all three. We dominated the opening half an hour today but we’ve got to do more in the final third with both the cross and the shot".

DONCASTER ROVERS

• 01 Turnbull
• 03 Husband
• 05 Jones
• 14 Khumalo
• 32 Wabara (Quinn - 58' )
• 04 Furman
• 10 Macheda Booked (Coppinger - 69' )
• 18 Keegan
• 19 Wellens Booked
• 22 Robinson (Cotterill - 82' )
• 09 Brown

Substitutes

• 13 Maxted
• 02 Quinn
• 12 McCullough
• 07 Duffy
• 11 Cotterill
• 23 Bennett
• 26 Coppinger

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

• 01 Darlow
• 02 Lichaj
• 08 Cohen
• 15 Halford
• 25 Hobbs
• 07 Chalobah (Majewski - 63' )
• 10 Lansbury
• 11 Reid
• 39 Abdoun (Paterson - 63' )
• 09 Henderson
• 12 Mackie (Derbyshire - 70' )

Substitutes

• 29 De Vries
• 05 Collins
• 18 Jara
• 06 Moussi
• 28 Majewski
• 21 Paterson
• 27 Derbyshire

• 26 Coppinger

Nottingham Forest

DICKOV WANTS 'DETERMINED' SQUAD

Speaking to the Daily Star,Doncaster boss Paul Dickov has expressed how he wants a team that plays with more determination.

His team's next games are against Sheffield Wednesday,Burnley and Leicester and he wants to see a forceful approach.

"The fixtures show that our next four matches will be hard undoubtedly but with the right attitude and belief from the lads,we can compete",says Dickov.

"Two of the sides are already in the promotion spots and look good,so that to me suggests they have worked harder than us and are better prepared mentally."

ROVERS LEGEND #19:JOHN SCHOFIELD

John signed for Donny in the later stages of his career as a midfielder and even got a chance to manage a club briefly.

Born in Barnsley in 1965,he combatted competition in the non-leagues whilst working as a mechanic's assistant.He joined Lincoln in 1988 at the age of 23 on a professional deal for £10,000.He scored 11 times for the Imps and is one of their greatest players.

Although he was a key member of the squad,Sam Ellis released him in 1994 so he could sign for Doncaster where he spent three seasons.

His last two clubs were Hull and Mansfield before he decided to retire in 2001 at the age of 36.

He wasn't out of action for long.He worked at the centre of excellence for Lincoln and is credited by the club for developing players like Lee Frecklington.The work earned him the role of coach and when Keith Alexander was sacked in 2006,he became manager.

He only lasted a year in charge before joining Martin Allen at Leicester and Cheltenham.When Martin left the club,he took caretaker charge.He now works for Gillingham with Martin at the helm.

He lives in London.

OPPONENTS GUIDE #8:NOTTINGHAM FOREST(H)

Nottingham Forest are next up as they make the relatively short trip to South Yorkshire.The Reds were unlucky last season not to get into the playoffs but hope to do so this season.

The Trent club have had highs and lows.They won the 1977 UEFA League trophy thanks to the legendary Trevor Francis and were managed by Brian Clough.The weekend of the game marks nine years since his death.

The previous two seasons have seen change.The club were managed by ex-England coach Steve McClaren and then Steve Cotterill until the Al-Hawazi takeover.Former Donny bosd Sean O'Driscoll was chosen to take the hot seat but he was harshly sacked six months later.His replacement was Alex McLeish-and he lasted six weeks until being sacked.

The club are still in shock following their chairman Nigel Doughty's sudden death two years ago.The Nottingham Forest lover bought the club in 1999 for £2,000,000.

Forest are currently 5th in the league and have taken nine points in their last three games.

THE GROUND-THE CITY GROUND

Infamous for the Brian Clough Stand and the ex-home of Premier League football,the stadium is a fantastic place for away fans to visit of all clubs.The ground is on the opposite side of the Trent where Notts County are,so you can kick a ball from one stadium to the other!

THE GAFFER-BILLY DAVIES

The 48-year-old Scotsman notably won promotion with Forest's rivals Derby in 2007,but left the club when they struggled in the top flight.He was sacked by Doughty following a promotion failure but has since been rehired to get the club in the big time again

ONES TO WATCH

KARL DARLOW-YOUNG TALENT

Young goalkeeper Karl Darlow was given the number one by Davies for the new season,having made some superb performances during a double loan spell at Walsall in League One.He has been at the club since 2010.

GREG HALFORD-USEFUL UTILITY

Greg Halford started his career with Colchester,becoming their Player of The Year in 2006 and Best Defender of 2007.He since played for Wolves in the Prem and then moved to Portsmouth.However,administration forced him to leave the Hampshire club.

ANDY REID-LUCK O'THE IRISH

Ireland international midfielder Andy Reid is a prolific free kick taker and scorer for Forest.Played in centre midfield or up front by O'Driscoll,Andy now reverts to a winger who crosses well in his second spell.

JAMIE MACKIE-BRAINBOX 

Recently capped for Scotland,striker Jamie Mackie caught the attention of QPR in 2010 when he was at Plymouth.He scored 26 goals in total in two years in Devon and has been a key role so far for Forest.