UPCOMING opponents Doncaster Rovers are “in a false position” at this point in the season, according to Swindon Town manager Michael Flynn.
Prior to the pair’s League Two fixture at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday, Town find themselves in eighth place after two wins and two draws while Doncaster sit stone-dead bottom following just one point from five matches.
But an encouraging display by Rovers in the League Cup defeat to Everton on Wednesday night reinstated to Flynn his belief that Grant McCann’s team are far better than their lowly position suggests.
Prior to late goals from the Toffees’ new signings, Beto and Arnaut Danjuma, the League Two outfit were on top and edging towards a classic cup shock against their Premier League rivals.
When asked how Flynn will ensure his players are guarded against complacency following a 6-0 thumping of Crawley Town last weekend, Swindon’s boss pointed to Doncaster’s midweek display as a reminder of what the hosts are capable of.
He said: “I hope it’s quite easy to avoid over-confidence. I hope [the players] all watched Doncaster on Wednesday night against Everton.
“I thought they were a good advert for League Two, they pushed a Premier League team all the way, they were the better team for 45 to 60 minutes, and they’ve got some dangerous players.
“They have got injuries, but they’ve spent money in the summer and backed their manager. Grant has got experience at a higher level – both as a player and as a manager – so for me, I think they’re in a false position.”
Whether Doncaster remain emotionally drained from their big cup game or they enter the weekend’s contest full of confidence is no concern to Flynn, with Town’s boss sharing praise of Saturday’s opponents but remaining determined to continue his own side’s unbeaten run.
Flynn said: “Their big threats come from quite a few places. Set plays, they’re very good. Luke Molyneux and Zain Westbrooke have both played at a higher level.
“They’re not bad. They’re a lot better than bottom of the league. I think it’s only a matter of time until they start climbing the table, and hopefully that time starts for them about 5:10pm on Saturday.
“I want to go there and get the three points, and then it’s down to Doncaster how long it takes them to improve.
“But I do know they’ve got a good squad, a good manager, and it’s a club that will be aiming for the top half, definitely.”
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