Furious Leeds to report Rovers
Leeds officials are furious after the fixture was called off due to a frozen pitch just three hours before kick-off.
Chief executive Shaun Harvey has accused Doncaster of leaving them in the dark over the decision and not warning them the game was even in doubt. As a result, manager Gary McAllister and his players arrived at the ground for the mid-day kick-off only to discover Doncaster’s ground staff had only covered certain sections of the pitch, despite warnings about freezing temperatures the night before.
Harvey said: “The first we knew there was potentially even a problem with the game not taking place was when it was called off which is very disappointing.
“The reality is that if the game was in doubt we should have been made aware there was a problem so we could keep everyone informed.
“The first message we received was it was simply off. They called the referee in and he deemed it not playable — and it wasn’t.
“What’s happened is that the pitch has been partially covered and the groundsman took a view to cover the part that doesn’t get the sun.
“The weather forecast last night predicted a deep frost. Why wasn’t the pitch fully covered? Our main gripe is that there was an option to fully cover the pitch and they chose not to do that, and for that reason and that reason alone it was off.
“We apologise to Leeds fans who were kept in the dark but so were we on this occasion.
“If anyone would have contacted us this morning there would have been no issue as far as we were concerned. I think in hindsight they would do it differently again, but we will make our observations to the Football League and let them deal with it.”
In the weekend’s only other Championship fixture, Ipswich tightened their grip on a play-off spot with a 2-1 win over Blackpool, with manager Jim Magilton saluting new signing Velice Sumulikoski, who scored his side’s opening goal.
“It was a great strike from Velice. He has brought us composure, experience and knowledge in a very important area of the pitch and he has definitely got goals in him,” said Magilton.
“Velice and Tommy Miller have complemented each other very well in central midfield and both know there are players waiting to play, which has given them extra incentive.”
Blackpool boss Simon Grayson bemoaned the fact that he lost his two centre halves, Ian Evatt and Michael Jackson, to injury within 31 minutes.
“To lose two experienced players, the spine of your team, so early on meant our plan went out the window.
“Keith Southern and Shaun Barker battled manfully in their place but, overall, we were taught a footballing lesson.
“We rode our luck and had we got anything from the game I’d have been a bit embarrassed.”
In tonight’s only fixture, Bristol City could move to the top of the table with a victory over Crystal Palace at Ashton Gate.
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