Doncaster Rovers v BORO (25th August 2026 KO 7.30pm).
Carabao Cup - Club Doncaster Sports Village, Doncaster.
Let’s start with the apology: sorry for coming to this late (the season not just this Match Preview). I am typing this on late lunchtime on Saturday 22nd August so the results of today’s games being played by BORO and Doncaster Rovers, and both teams’ performances, are not yet known. If it proves possible, I will try to add information about those games later but I make no promise.
It is the birthday of Mrs Dormo on Monday and things are planned. I have jobs to do today and on Sunday. Events, dear boy, events… I don’t claim any particular expertise on League One clubs generally, nor Doncaster Rovers in particular. Each team has played only one league game and one Carabao Cup game this season before today so, even if it were possible for me in the time left to do the necessary research, it would probably not tell me much. Therefore, although this is a Match Preview, it may not be a Match Preview as we know it, Jim.
BORO and Doncaster are two of the most venerable OGs of football. Amongst the still-existing professional ASSOCIATION football clubs of the world, BORO is in the Top 12, founded in 1876 just after Kjobenhavns Boldklub (KB) of Copenhagen, and Rovers from 1879 feature in the list at No 22. BORO was admitted to the Football League in 1899 and Rovers followed suit in 1901 so both have obviously been early adopters of the professional game. Although BORO flirted with danger in 1986 it has always remained within the EFL/PL pyramid, whilst Rovers has had a few periods of relegation from and re-election/promotion back to the League.
Boro has spent the vast majority of its football life in the last 127 years in the top 2 divisions whilst “Donny” has spent most of its EFL life in the third and fourth tiers with a few excursions to the second (but not the absolute pinnacle). So, the clubs have generally ploughed their own separate furrows in the football league world. However, even clubs separated by league divisions might expect, over more than a century and a quarter, to have been drawn against each other many times in the major Cup competitions. Not so for BORO and Doncaster.
In all that time only TWO previous major cup games between the teams are recorded. In the FA Cup in 1952 (for most supporters beyond living memory) BORO played Rovers at Ayresome Park, losing 1-4, whilst in the Carabao (League) Cup BORO had a much more recent tie on 12th August 2025. You may remember the rumpus as BORO lost at The Riverside 0-4.
I reminded myself of that only previous Carabao Cup meeting between the clubs by looking at the Match Preview prepared for it by Clive Hurren on this Blog. Unsurprisingly confident, Clive quite reasonably said that was a tie which “On paper Boro should win. Having said that, this is a classic banana skin”. And that is just what it turned out to be.
Responses on Clive’s thread were scathing as regards the performance given by BORO in the game. To run through a few of the later comments, one described the game as a “new low”, others as an “utter shambles”, “not good enough”, “useless, appalling, rubbish and embarrassing” and finally amongst the selection “toothless, ponderous and clueless”. Despite confidence under then-manager Rob Edwards in his pre-rodent phase of development, BORO came the proverbial cropper. That came about despite the Doncaster Free Press being reported as confirming Rovers had changed its entire starting XI from the one which had played its league game a few days earlier. There could hardly be any comfort in the suggestion that Boro had “rested” a few players since lowly Rovers had rested its whole team!
No doubt regular readers of this Blog will pray in aid the frequently quoted adage (or warning/disclaimer) that “past performance is not indicative of future results”. That will be a relief bearing in mind the fact that our BORO heroes conceded 4 goals in each game during the only two major cup ties between BORO and Doncaster, both played in Middlesbrough. It might be a minor comfort that, this time, the game will be played in Doncaster.
The Rovers stadium is the football equivalent of Prince. The Club Doncaster Sports Village (as it has been known since last month) was formerly known as the Eco-Power Stadium from 2022, and prior to that was known as the Keepmote Stadium which opened on 1st January 2007 with a game against Huddersfield Town. The name changes relate to sponsorship deals and PR related issues rather than a change of stadium and the club had previously played at the Belle View ground from 1922 to 2006.
The teams for the Saturday games not having been released yet, I have no idea which players will be named on Tuesday by BORO and Doncaster. I have no idea what degree of priority will be given by the respective coaches to this Carabao Cup tie but I suspect for Boro supporters there will be something rather more inviting on offer at the end of this season. Players may be “saved” for upcoming league games and replaced by squad players, not that this proved to be a factor the last time the 2 teams played a year ago. However, if there IS to be a mass-replacement event dictating the players selected, one can only say that after the latest excursions into the transfer market, BORO’s replacements should represent much better strength in depth than Doncaster’s.
Rovers’ manager is the same as a year ago: Grant McCann. He previously played for 8 clubs mostly in England but ending with 8 games for Linfield in his native Northern Ireland before turning to coaching/management. McCann is a serial offender in terms of management, having been full-time manager at Peterborough United twice, one spell at Hull City and is now on his 2nd spell at Doncaster. If he does well this season and should Hull be relegated, he may get the call from Hull to complete a treble of doubles.
As to the Rovers players he might select, your guess is probably better than mine. Of course we are still in the summer Transfer Window and nobody is permanent at League One if the right bid comes in. As to BORO, the issue is whether some of the newly acquired players will be given a run-out to bed them into the squad, although I heard it mentioned in the last day or so (was it in a Press Conference by Kim Hellberg?) that the new centre-back signing Ashley Phillips (£7M plus add-ons) will not be available for a week or two as he needs training time to get up to full speed and fitness.
At least we know Seny Dieng will not be between the posts as he has finally been offloaded (to Greece). Maybe Sol Bryn will return to play (he was in position for the previous Carabao Cup game against Wrexham) or Hellberg may prefer to allow No 1 keeper Radek Vitek to keep the gloves in order to get to know his defenders better following his recent transfer into the club. Perhaps those who came on as substitutes in the only league game played so far, against Lincoln City last week, will get a run-out? In that case we may well see Max Arfsten start with Alfie Jones, Myles Peart-Harris and Jeremy Sarmiento but surely not Riley McGree despite his lighting up the second half of the Lincoln game. Keeping him fit and not over-used will be vital this season.
I can hear the haunting theme from The Twilight Zone when considering the likely outcome of this match. I mentioned that in August 2025 Doncaster made massive changes to the team line-up from the earlier game the club had played (which happened to be against Mansfield). This might sound spooky in view of the rarity of major cup games between Rovers and BORO, but as we move into THIS cup tie, Rovers’ only previous league game this season at the time of typing was also against Mansfield Town (a 2-1 defeat on 15th August). Let’s hope cosmic forces are not at play here.
In view of the quality of the squad available, the additions to that squad in recent weeks and the fact that BORO’s ambitions lie in the Premier League next season, it would be reasonable to expect BORO to have too much for Rovers in this cup tie. But then I hear the voices from Stage Left reminding me this game, like the one a year ago, is a potential banana skin and reminding me of the four-goal home thrashing handed to BORO last time.
Should I repeat last year’s 2-0 prediction made in Clive’s previous thread? Yes! It could (probably should) be even more emphatic than just two goals. Let’s tempt Fate, even though in the grand scheme of things BORO no doubt has greater things on the mind of its players and management, not to mention supporters. Bring it on….!
Post Script:
Boro lost at Blackburn 2-1 in the game played after the above was typed. For those who want the gory details Boro led with a goal by Sarmiento after 12 minutes but fell behind after goals from Gudjohnsen on 49 minutes and Cantwell on 55 minutes. Boro had 71% possession and 22 shots with 3 on target (compared to Blackburn with 6 and 5 respectively). However, as has been said before, the goals tally is all that counts. Interestingly those stats are mirrored in the game where Hull City with 29% possession beat Manchester United (72%) 2-0, with Hull taking only 8 shots of which 5 were on target (Man U’s figures being 21 and 5 respectively). Goals, not possession…
Doncaster Rovers played out a 0-0 draw at home to Barnsley and therefore has yet to post the first win of the league season. Will these results affect the Carabao Cup tie? Not really, apart from making Boro supporters a little fearful.
Forever Dormo 22nd August 2026.
Thanks Dormo, especially for doing this preview at relatively short notice.
Being honest I’ve limited interest in this game in itself but Boro could do with confidence and momentum after a stuttering start.
No injuries and a routine win might go a long way 🤞
Thanks Dormo for an extensive preview, after yesterday’s game I would prefer to see KH put the full team out again and use the opportunity to get them used to playing together, which was sadly lacking at Blackburn.
Come on BORO.
Thanks Dormo for your super starter. Yes, let's hope for a 2-0 win. I predected a similar score for Saturday's match at Blackburn. But we lost by 2 goals to one.
As the Cup match is not shown here by Viaplay, I am asking @Werdermouth if there could be any other links available.
I also believe BoroLive won't show the match either - the Wrexham match was not available but was shown by Viaplay.
Up the Boro!
That is a War and Peace of a Headliner, Dormo, full of information and a good read to boot on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Well, what does Mr Hellberg do, after three uninspiring games this season.
As exmil suggested, maybe play Saturdays starting eleven, given how some have played like strangers and that includes some of the stalwarts, yes Mr Brittain, Ayling, Malander, Morris, Sarmiento and Whittaker.
I have not included the new lads or fringe players, who also have not covered themselves in glory.
In reality, Jones needs minutes so we can hope when match fit he hits the same level as last season. We certainly need him at the moment. I would also include Brynn, otherwise his confidence will hit rock bottom.
Then there are the fringe players to date. Borges, someone at RB, do we actually have any cover? Kante, Castledine, Joseph possibly, Peat Harris. We then run out of players unless we dip into the younger squad of players. Cartwright maybe.
However, we need to win this game and that probably means playing most of Saturday’s first eleven, less Vitek and Whittaker, maybe one or two others.
We need to winnfor
@pedro - I certainly think the team needs to win the game. It should be possible to do that with several fringe players in the team but it would also be good to let the "First Team" get some confidence as a result of a good performance and a really good win. It's up to the manager how he resolves that issue. That's why he isn't paid just £300 per week.
The game is live here in Oz on BeIn Sports. They cover all of the Carabao Cup games live, so there is a possibility of a live feed from somewhere.
It seems that all clubs are learning that Boro’s positional set up and playing style leaves them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Blackburn could have scored on a number of occasions in the first half. We need to dominate the midfield going both ways. I wonder if Hellberg will trial 3 at the back with wingbacks. The third centre back can push forward leaving the midfield duo free to hold or push forward themselves. It won’t make a great difference because we are so flexible in our positioning when in attack but we have to stop giving away chances.
I’d like to see Joseph and Lankshear up front and Whittaker on the bench. Other than that, there are a lot of people to choose from.
UTB
@selwynoz I had the same thought, Selwyn.
Potentially having one fewer player in attacking positions won’t make it any easier to open up a packed defence but we do need to find a way to be less vulnerable to quick counters.
I see a lot of top sides leave a “box” - i.e. four players positioned in a square - in a deep cebtral area to protect against counters. Space is left out wide to counter into but that is a less dangerous area. We don’t seem to do that with even Aiden Morris appearing around the edge of the opposition area - even Luke Ayling from centre back at times.
I admire the attacking intent but a bit more balance could go a long way.
Brilliant starter thank you Dormo. I was particularly tickled by your “Rob Edwards in his pre-rodent phase of development”.
I agree with those above who have commented on the need for KH to adapt our approach so as to ensure we are not as vulnerable to the counter attack.
We need defenders defending not charging into the opposition half leaving large exploitative gaps at the back; if that means less possession then so be it but this high risk strategy is not working.
Whilst the game carries little for me in the overall scheme of things a strong team and performance is needed, culminating in a convincing win; anything else will see supporters questioning KH’s abilities. 😎
@selwynoz As both you, Andy, and others have commented on our vulnerability against transition, it really does concern me with Hellberg’s apparent reluctance to change from his current stance.
Two league matches in, and it is unrealistic to blame the issue on our gelling in of new players.
It is the system employed that is leaving the gaps, coupled with lack of pace defensively.
I agree that three at the back could potentially make us less vulnerable, plus a little less of the “hung ho” would help. It is great playing, nice on the eye, football, but goals for and not against win points. It was the same last season and we have started this season in the same vein.
So where does the fault lay?
If all our CB’s are fit, 3 at the back is an easy choice, plus Jones and Phillips give us height. Ayling is the best at carrying the ball and possibly his passing. But Malander has more pace and physicality when on form.
I believe a number on here have doubts over Arfsten’s defensive ability, so a 3 would lessen his load. Brittain can attack, but for a number of games now, has not done enough of it. However that is because we tend to play through the congested middle and into the opposition box.
Although we would have a forward less as Andy said, I do not think it would make any difference, given we have four to choose from. Lankshear, Joseph, Conway and Strelec when fit, Sarmiento or the rumour of another wide player, plus the fringe attacking options.
Hellberg surely cannot continue as we are doing. It’s not working, and given he likes his stats, then, how how many wins in the last 15 games now.
The game is live here in Oz on BeIn Sports. They cover all of the Carabao Cup games live, so there is a possibility of a live feed from somewhere.
BeIn are a major provider of football coverage down here in Oz. They have games and highlights from Carabao Cup, EFL, Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, SPL, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. In addition to that they have rights to the channels produced by Liverpool and Manchester United.
I hadn't really thought much about the two club channels but, to my surprise, when I was waiting for our game on Riverside Live and watching the BeIn broadcast of the early game on Saturday, there was a link to one of the BeIn live channels that was playing Liverpool v Middlesbrough U18s. Thus, sitting in Sydney, I was able to watch Boro U18s live at the Liverpool Academy. That's modern technology.
Without giving a long report, I would like to draw people's attention to a couple of players; Eamon Tohil and Lucca Kakai. Eamon Tohil has just come in from Cliftonville and he scored both goals by being in the right position at the right time. You don't really notice him except he turns up and scores. On the other hand, you really notice this lad playing at number 9 because the whole of the Liverpool defence just bounced off him. He came to Boro from Crystal Palace, he's built like a brick exterior facility and, according to the MFC player site, he's already 6'5".
These two weren't the only ones to play well but I just wanted to put out their names because one day they could be our Quinn and Phillips. Who knows.
UTB
Thanks Dormo. Stylish as ever even under extreme time pressure.
Good discussion above on our defensive problems.
Of which there are two: our vulnerability from set pieces, particularly corners, and from counter- attacks.
I disagree slightly with the argument that this is "same old, same old...", and also with the view that it's not realistic to blame the problem on our getting in new players. That it's systemic.
In fact the problems we have seen over the 3 games so far do not surprise me at all. They have been quite predictable
Last season we had the best defensive record in the division, apart from Coventry, who conceded two fewer goals.
We didn't have too much of a problem in that area, so if it wasn't broke, why fix it?
Our defensive solidity was based around the fact that we had a a cohort of players who were highly experienced and who knew how to defend. Even with the extended absence of Alfie Jones, whom you might have thought a significant loss, we scarcely noticed the difference.
But our recruitment staff messed around with what was working. Three essential components were allowed to leave. When you take away Targett, Fry and Brown, you are casting aside a wealth of experience, know-how, physical resilience and strength.
All of these players have played for years at Championship level or above. They all love a tackle, can smell danger and snuff it out before it happens (cf Ayling's amazing goal-line clearance on Saturday), and have an instinctive understanding of when to go forward, when to stay, and how to fill the gaps.
I know that there are good, or at least plausible, financial reasons why these players were allowed to leave. The local journos have faithfully reproduced the club's line in telling us so.
What I have not seen is any reckoning of what has been lost.
Yes, Targett was a free agent and could choose the highest bidder. But he was our sole success after eight other left-back signings had failed.
Tot up the costs of that lot, and you might begin to revise your calculations of his true worth.
On Saturday we were treated to the sight of Borges coming on as a sub in what is now clearly, yet again, a highly problematic position. A position targeted by our opponents as a weakness throughout Carrick's reign, and now gifted to haunt Hellberg. Deja vu , indeed.
I have already made the obvious case for Fry, and it's scarcely necessary to make the case for Browne, because everybody well understands it.
One of the most persistent criticisms of our recruitment policies over the years has been that we have signed young players who have turned out to be, however skilful, somewhat lightweight for the rigours of the Championship marathon.
I was heartened by Scott's admission, at the beginning of last season, that he had a heightened awareness of the importance of experience, and it showed in the signings of a whole cohort of players, all of whom were successfully bedded into the side.
At the beginning of this season it is the predictable consequences of the loss of three heavyweights that is beginning to show.
We have a plethora of assistant coaches, but are any of them designated as defensive coaches or set piece coaches. Our performances would suggest otherwise. We do have a goalkeeping coach Linus Kandolin, who worked previously at West Ham. I think that Sunderland will want to keep Alan Browne so that they comply with the Premier League and UEFA requirements for 8 homegrown players in their squads. He currently has a squad number (8) at the SOL.
BTW Those three experienced defenders weighed in with 11 goals last season, more from open play than Conway, Strelec or any of our other strikers, apart from Whittaker.
Anyone got any ideas on where those missing goals-rare enough as they were last season- are going to come from.
I think we were one of the best sides in defending last season in the whole of the Championship. So with a fit again Alfie Jones and a seven million centreback in Ashley Phillips, I think we will be even better than last season. I think Phillips will be better than Fry and will definately be available more often than Fry.
I will miss Fry, but he was often away during the last few seasons.
So we worry about the few mistakes we had in defence last season - and this season, too. But these few mistakes in concentration are emphasized WHEN we do NOT score at the other end. Still, I think our problem is scoring one or two goals in the other end. Like last season.
I am not that worried about defence. We need to score a goal or three per a game that I am worried. The team with Strelec, Joseph and LANKSHEAR should be better than what we had last season. I also trust Whittaker will score ten to 15 goals this season, too.
I see we have a good team and I expect us to finish in the top two. But August and early September will be a strugle with at least eight new players to be beded in (still one or two arriving, me thinks).
Up the Boro!
The game is live on Sky Sports+ for domestic viewers, I think, hence its limited availability worldwide
Gazette and NE both reporting we are close to signing Sam Byram on a free from Leeds. Can play both left and right back. Similar signing to Targett with a good amount of experience, although he is 32. Would mean that we would have to ship out another player to keep to 25.
@mw-in-darwin Sam Byram will be 33 next month on 16 Sept but I think he will be a great addition for this season.
Come on BORO.
Byram is just the sort we need
the squad position may be easier than you think. Any permanent player (non loanee) who was under 21 on January 1, 2026 doesn’t count towards the 25
We have quite a few turning or turned 21 this year.
utb
I think we have less than 25 players that need to be registered.Gazette and NE both reporting we are close to signing Sam Byram on a free from Leeds. Can play both left and right back. Similar signing to Targett with a good amount of experience, although he is 32. Would mean that we would have to ship out another player to keep to 25.
3 goalkeepers
7 defenders (8 with Byron; Phillips was under 21 in jan 2026)
5 midfielders (Kanté born June 2005, NOT counted in)
6 forwards
That makes 21 (or 22 with Byram). The rest are 21 or under if I am not mistaken.
As a base, I used the players listed in here: https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams
Up the Boro!
Of course, we still need shift Micah Hamilton out, but he was not given a squad number this season and he is not listed at https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams
If Byran signs in, we still do NOT have a loan player on our books for this season! Excellent.
Up the Boro!
Thanks for a comprehensive starter, FD. If you can manage such a fact packed intro with limited time, I dare say you could get your own series with more advanced notice. Move over Ted Lasso!
I suspect anything less than a win tomorrow will lead to a massive outbreak of negativity across Boroland - maybe even on here, the most professional of all Boro forums.
As last words, can I just say that my thoughts are with the family and friends of the two police officers who lost their lives over the weekend and also my sincere commiserations to the families of the young men in the other car. What they were involved in was reprehensible but no one deserves to die in that way.
Re Sam Byram
The Leeds Press ( https://www.theleedspress.com/leeds-promotion-hero-set-to-join-middlesbrough-after-rejecting-new-whites-contract-52976/) is reporting that with months gone this summer, nothing concrete has emerged about Sam Byram. The defender seemed to be given a send-off in the final Leeds home game against Brighton, but he was given a new deal.
According to The Northern Echo, Byram is close to signing for Championship side Middlesbrough.
It is believed he was in discussions to sign with his former club Norwich City before Boro won the race.
This update basically confirms that the 32-year old turned down a new contract to remain in West Yorkshire.
So Boro have beaten both Norwich and Leeds for his signature (if he would sign for Boro).
Up the Boro!
@jarkko If he signs for MFC, as he is a free agent, then that appears to be outside the current profile. One would assume he will be looking for a two year deal, unless it is a one with better wages. He will be 33 in three weeks time, hopefully he can be anther Ayling?
PHILLIPS NOT FIT TO PLAY
I can’t understand why a young 21 year old is not fit to play - even as a sub. At that age he should be as fit as a fiddle if he’s done pre season trying. Unless I missed something and he missed pre season. Other recent new players all seem to need a couple of weeks before getting on the pitch. Are coaches being too cautious wanting players to have a couple of weeks training with their new team mates ? Quality players can play straight away.
So tomorrow I expect lots of changes and hopefully a win. Winning games helps confidence and creates momentum.
Fingers crossed for a 2-1 win.
philip of Huddersfield 🤔👍
Thanks for the kind comments, friends.
I have spent the day with Mrs Dorno in Bishop Auckland, and I'm amazed to say I don't think we've been there before. To digress from football it appears a serious effort is being made to transform BA into a "tourist destination". There was certainly lots to do and, to be honest, one day was nowhere near enough to time see what was on offer.
Ignoring Kynren (open later in the day, on SOME days in the summer), one could spend the whole day in Auckland Palace. Its grounds & walled garden as well as the cafe are good, together with the Faith Museum. The Spanish Gallery's four floors (El Greco, Velasquez and others) was something you need to spend hours in but, sadly, the Tapas Bar nearby doesn't open on Mondays. A quick free trip up the Auckland Tower gives you the opportunity to get an idea where everything is before getting "stuck in". We got our "Discovery Pass" tickets there.
There has obviously been an effort to link access to the various "attractions" under the "The Auckland Project " banner. There was no time to go to the nearby Binchester Roman fort, the Miners' Museum, the Deer Park, the Weardale Railway...
Back to the football, I think it is possible to play attractive, attacking football at the same time as being flexible. A Coach who had only one (attacking) tool in his locker would not be successful, long-term. Plan A is fine when it works but it's good to have a Plan B and Plan C in reserve for those games where the A-game is not bearing fruit.
If, as we all suspect and some coaches from other teams have mentioned, "we all know how Boro play", it will be essential to prepare for those teams who try to counter Boro's A-game. The club cannot afford to have a series of games with 70% (and more) possession, with lots more passes into the opposition Penalty Area and a lot more shots, only to lose those games.
Maybe playing Doncaster Rovers, away, in the Carabao Cup will not provide the solution to this issue, but it can provide an opportunity to START to resolve it. The Championship might very well be a close competition this season and you can't afford to let your competitors get away from you whilst you "sort your team/tactics out".
From the NE. It looks like he hadn't done any preseason. When we were first looking at him I think there was a problem in his medical.