There are no formalities in this division

Last updated : 09 November 2010 By Tony Scholes
O'Driscoll was obviously, ahead of this game, asked about the situation last January when he was linked with the Burnley job and asked how close he got to getting it.

"I don't know to be fair," he said. "Was I offered the job? No but at the time it was attractive because they were in the Premier League at the time and it isn't often a manager from the lower divisions gets the opportunity to be offered a Premier League job. I wasn't offered the job so no it wasn't close.

"Burnley are a well run football club but it got more publicity than it deserved. I think it was because we were knee deep in snow and there wasn't much football being played. It was strange because i's the first time I've ever switched on Sky Sports News and seen it reported that I was at a certain place when I wasn't.

"It just shows that you can't always believe what you hear, read and see. They reported that I was at Burnley having an interview when I was at the training ground here. It was flattering to be connected to them but it wasn't to be."

Speaking about Burnley he added: "It's always difficult for teams coming out of the Premier Division but they've done it sensibly and they have kept the nucleus of the side and I'm sure they'll take stock of what they need in the January transfer window.

"They are club who have done things properly and in the right way. It is probably an inevitability that they'll get back up there eventually and they've got a really nice balance."

He'll be coming up against one of his old Bournemouth players in Wade Elliott tonight. "Wade was always an intelligent player," he said. "He was always one step ahead of most of the players. Sometimes he got a bit too in depth but was someone you could have an intellectual discussion with and someone you thought, if he got an opportunity, he would flourish.

"His game has changed as he's got older but he was always a midfield player who could play as a winger. He's not blessed with outstanding pace but his feet are quick.

"I've watched Burnley three times and they are really fluid going forward and will be difficult to contain. Brian Laws is trying to get the players comfortable playing in positions that give them a bit of freedom. It's always difficult to play a side who does that and Derby are similar. They are always difficult games for us."

Brian Laws certainly knows that we need to keep on picking up points at home, and is looking for a response after the last home game ended in a 4-0 defeat to Reading.

"It's important we get a run together to close the gap on the top two," he said. "We need to get that win now. It's important that if we don't fulfil the requirements away from home we make sure we back it up with wins at home.

"That puts a bit more pressure on ourselves but it's something we are going to have to do to maintain a position in the top part of the table.

"You get a couple of wins this week in quick succession and it will put us in a very strong position. We are talking about fine margins and I think two wins would put those margins right.

"We could find ourselves in fourth spot and not too far away and that's how important these next two games are to us.

"We have to treat them like that but we must also treat the opposition with total respect because if you take your eye off the ball and think you just have to turn up, look what happened against Reading.

"Doncaster are a good side and play good football. They are now one of the established sides in the division. We have to be alert and aware that they can score goals.

"There are no formalities in this division. There are no formalities when you are 2-0 up and we have to take that on board and put right what went wrong on Saturday and hopefully put the result to the back of our minds.

"If it wasn't for some late equalisers, away from home in particular, we'd have a handsome return of points. That's how narrow the gap is. We are down about it because we know we are so close.

"But we have a great opportunity with two home games in quick succession and we will give everything possible to get the six points."