Doncaster Rovers hit shortest promotion price after superb run
Published:
Never mind the Manchester derby, last weekend’s most captivating game came an hour’s drive north of Old Trafford at Morecambe’s Globe Arena.
The high-flying Shrimps were demolished 5-1 by Doncaster Rovers, the first visitors to score five times here since their hosts’ arrival in the EFL. And that result has seen the pre-season 15/8 shots backed into 11/10 for promotion from League Two this season.
It was a particularly special day for James Coppinger, who netted in his 500th game for the club, but in truth, this is the kind of performance we’re quickly coming to expect from Donny, who also thumped Yeovil Town 4-1 at the end of August.
The 10 goals Darren Ferguson’s men have netted in their last three games is second-to-none in the division, while the three clean sheets they’ve managed in all competitions this year is testament to one of the division’s finest centre-back pairings in Andy Butler and Joe Wright.
Their gaffer certainly knows the route to success in the EFL, with Ferguson having delivered three promotions as Peterborough United boss, and having unearthed talents like Lee Tomlin, Dwight Gayle and Nicky Ajose at London Road, he certainly knows how to spot value in the market.
And this summer has been no exception, with the purchase of a huge talent in the form of striker John Marquis, snapped up from Millwall. Meanwhile, the likes of Mathieu Baudry from Leyton Orient and Matty Blair from Mansfield Town are good recruits with plenty of experience at this level.
There’s also no doubt the South Yorkshire club have the infrastructure to survive at a higher level, and if they continue to impress, the Keepmoat Stadium will quickly fill up – with the club having averaged crowds of 8,420 as recently as the 2013-14 season.
Many were surprised when Rovers suffered relegation last season, having been 25/1 at the turn of the year, but their form, squad and fanbase means there’s far more reason to predict drama this season, with the 11/10 worth getting on now before another Donny demolition sees those odds tumble further.
Next up is the visit of Newport County, with Rovers 1/2 for a seventh win in eight games, while another 5-1 triumph could tempt a few at the juicy price of 50/1.
Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
