Keith Millen branded Bristol City "nearly men" after watching them slip to 1 1-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers. In no mood to mince his words, City's assistant manager offered a stark assessment of where the team is falling short. And he admitted the players need to do more if they are to reach the end-of-season play-offs and realise their dream of reaching the Barclays Premier League. Victory at the Keepmoat Stadium would have propelled the Robins back into the top six of the Coca-Cola Championship, but their hopes were dashed by Rovers striker Billy Sharp, who poached the only goal on a day when City left their shooting boots at home. City's third defeat in five games saw them drop one place to ninth and they are now two points off the play-off places going into a busy holiday programme, which could make-or-break their season.
Bristol Evening Post

If nothing else, this frustrating defeat in the Yorkshire chill highlighted City's need for reinforcements when the January transfer window swings open for business next month. Gary Johnson's team may be reasonably well-placed - ninth and just two points outside of the Coca-Cola Championship play-off positions with the campaign approaching its midpoint - but based on the available evidence to date, they lack the consistency required to establish themselves in the top six. Stylish in victory at Leicester just a few days earlier, City had good reason to feel confident of becoming only the second team to win at the Keepmoat Stadium this season. But just when it seemed as though a corner had been turned, they fell short of expectations in a manner which suggests chairman Steve Lansdown may be persuaded to splash the cash in the January sales. Although the visitors enjoyed more than their fair share of possession, they had precious little to show for it as their more creative influences were found wanting in the face of organised defence.
Bristol Evening Post

Billy Sharp is officially in the best form of his career. The Doncaster striker netted for the fifth game in a row to sink Bristol City. And that is something Sharp has never done before. Rovers sealed their third straight victory when Sharp pounced on a mix-up at the back to fire home a first-half winner from 20 yards out.
Daily Star

Doncaster goal machine Billy Sharp admitted he sensed he would be on target for Rovers yet again as soon as he woke up. And when you're in the best form of your career, why not? The Rovers striker, on-loan from Sheffield United has netted in his last five games, something Sharp has never done before. And his goals have helped Rovers record three wins on the trot and move away from the Championship's danger zone.
Daily Mirror

Sheffield United fan and player Billy Sharp's career surely lies away from Bramall Lane. In 113 league games for Rushden & Diamonds, Scunthorpe and now Doncaster on loan, including Saturday's winner over Bristol City, he has scored a staggering 71 goals.
Daily Mail

Doncaster's Billy Sharp has got his appetite back. The striker gobbled up his fifth goal in five games, having arrived at Donny on loan after being frozen out at Sheffield United. The 23-year-old said: "It's the best run of goals in my career so I'm very happy. I've got my appetite back for football. It's hard when you're training every day and not getting anything out of it. I'm playing every week, I'm scoring regularly and that's when I'm at my best."
The Sun