Maintain Home Record

'Protect our unbeaten home record' was the cry of Mark McGhee to his troops ahead of tomorrow's home League Two clash with Burton Albion. Since he's been in charge, Rovers have yet to taste defeat at the Mem although they have endured a couple of losses on the road. The players have been told though that it's a record to be proud of and one they need to defend as we reach the season's end.

The game sees two mid-table sides do battle, with both hoping to break in to the top half of the league by early May, meaning it should be a hard fought game. Our pitch, as has been stressed for months now, is horrendous and although it's not conducive to fluent passing football, we need to try and take advantage of the fact we're used to playing on it. Gary Rowett, Burton caretaker boss, won't relish seeing his charges play on the sandy pitch and like many opposition manager's, it's likely he'll encourage them to go long in their search for goals.

Mark McGhee calling for home record to continue

I'm in agreement with McGhee that our home form is something to be proud of in the second half of this season and the players need to buy in to the fact we need to keep it in tact. Yes, we don't have promotion or relegation to contend with, but we do have a record that will look quite impressive come the summer when we look back and review the year. The key to a successful result tomorrow could prove to be the attacking threat of Muzzy Carayol, who missed our 3-0 defeat to Crewe on Monday. He should be back in the team tomorrow with his hamstring injury looking like it's recovered sufficiently. Alongside the Gambian in midfield could be diminutive playmaker Wayne Brown, who has been injured for the majority of the season. He picked up an injury early on in the campaign and has been battling back to fitness ever since. He's been reassured though that he'll be given the chance to show what he's all about before the Dagenham game in May, meaning tomorrow's game could be his opportunity.

I'd be pleased to see the former Fulham youngster given a game as he's someone I rate quite highly. Given a run of games at the back end of last year he began showing his quality on the ball and it's a trait I think we've missed this season. If he can prove he's back to fitness and shows the signs of the attacking midfielder we know he is, McGhee may be tempted to offer him a new deal to remain with us. That would be the ideal scenario from my point of view and I'm sure Wayne's too.

On the issue of contracts, time really is running out for some players and tomorrow's game is one of four more they'll get to impress the management team. In his press call yesterday McGhee explained he'll be talking to player representatives next week to try and re-sign the one's he'd like to keep. He's remained tight-lipped so far on who they might be, but did explain that they'll be similar to the ones the fans have speculated over recent weeks. Players like Byron Anthony, Scott McGleish and Lance Cronin look like they'll be on their way at the end of their current deals, which we'll free up plenty of wages, with Anthony in particular on a decent League One wage at the moment. Factoring in loanees departing and a few other players being released, there should be plenty of scope for new recruits to be brought in.

Unlike last season under Buckle, I have confidence in McGhee to attract good quality players to the club, using his contacts across the country and north of the border. Hopefully potential signings will see the optimism around the club at the moment and want to be a part of it.

We have to see off the threats of Burton, Port Vale, Accrington and Dagenham before allowing ourselves to look ahead fully to next year, beginning tomorrow afternoon. Get behind the boys and let's hope to see 3 points added to our tally by the time we watch the Football League Show!

Up the Gas!