I'm quite confused by what I've just seen. Not just today, but this season in general.
At half-time in a match with Birmingham City in April, Rovers led 1-0 and were at that stage ten points clear of safety. From then on, Doncaster entered free-fall. The outcome of this, quite remarkably, was relegation and I'm really struggling to comprehend how it has happened.
At times this season performances have been fantastic. Doncaster announced themselves back into the second tier by outplaying FA Cup holders Wigan off the park for long spells. Then, Richie Wellens, at 2-0, suffered an injury. A capitulation followed with Wigan stealing the visitors of two crucial points.
Perhaps then we should have been wary on what was to come. When trying to disect the reasons for relegation, Doncaster won their last match of the season against Leeds United on 29th March. This was the final time Wellens played more than half an hour in a match for Doncaster and tells a clear story of how crucial he is to the club.
Football 365: League table, 1st May 2014
Doncaster are one of the poorest supported clubs by numbers in the division, coincidentally alongside fellow relegated sides Yeovil Town and Barnsley. Along with parachute payments, this means Doncaster's budget is one of the smallest in the division.The outcome of this is Doncaster can afford a competitive first team, but struggle with strength in depth.
The back up central midfielder covering for Wellens' injury during the latter part of the campaign and Paul Keegan's injury around Christmas meant that Dean Furman came in as cover. 'Deano' was one of two signings that Brian Flynn made, along with John Lundstram last season which won us the title. He was a fantastic addition to the side at the time, but this season has been largely disappointing with the gulf between him and Wellens often exploited. The most notable weakness is the lack of a 'killer pass'. Furman has made 34 appearances this season; but look at how many assists... zero!
Doncaster Rovers' Official Website: Assists Table 2013-14
However, this wasn't the only position that came under scrutiny. Doncaster were also badly hit in defense. Only Paul Quinn, who started the season as Reece Wabara's deputy, is the only Rovers player to make over thirty appearances out of a possible 46. The majority of these came at centre back after injuries most notably to Rob Jones & Bongani Khumalo; the first choice pairing at the start of the campaign.
Despite playing a defense with three players in a back four younger than twenty in a defeat at home to Ipswich in December, Rovers manager Paul Dickov has bought expertly, with Abdoulaye Meite and Gabriel Tamas coming in on short term deals, with both showing defensive qualities which has seen them make many a Premier Division appearance during their careers.
Between the sticks is another place that Dickov has shown managerial expertise; first making the unexpected signing of former Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull. Then, when he got injured, he turned to Manchester United's Sam Johnstone on loan. The latter showing qualities where he is being tipped for future international caps. Not only were both high calibre goalkeepers that 'the likes of Doncaster' typically haven't attracted, but both have improved and immense credit must go to Dickov, goalkeeping coach, Paul Gerrard and Director of Football, Brian Flynn.
However, the coaching staff and the players have made individual mistakes throughout the season. Recently in a match with Reading, Rovers - who led 1-0, refused to shut up shop as a side managed by Dickov's predecessors Dean Saunders and Sean O'Driscoll may have done. They rued that, with the scoreline ending 3-1 in favour of the Royals.
Concerns have also arisen over the performances of the Rovers strikers. Expensive summer signing Theo Robinson, who may well flourish in League One, has been largely disappointing, as has Billy Sharp. Both were brought in to score goals and both managed a goals per game ratio of around 1 in 4. Sharp has 4 goals in 16 appearances; Robinson has just 5 goals all season (though he has had to start many of his matches from the bench). Freddie Macheda too came in on loan. However, despite a promising start, suffered an injury and when he returned he seemed uninterested, subsequently slumping to the bench for a home tie against Millwall after a poor performance. Personally I find it odd that a side managed by a former prolific striker can lead to such dire striking performances.
However, the biggest stand out performer this season has been a striker, in the form of Chris Brown. The only member of the squad to win tier four and tier three title winning medals with Rovers has played fantastic all season. He's played for an entire month with a broken foot and I don't think in any match he has ever stopped working. On top of this, he is one of the best target men outside the Premier League and has formed a fantastic relationship with James Coppinger in particularly. He is a deserved winner of player of the season and Rovers have a fight on their hands to keep Browny in South Yorkshire.
Another reason Doncaster went down were a series of individual errors. The club has needed all the points they could get as the season drew to a close; yet in the last two games conceded two penalties. Highly rated full-back James Husband has been the main culprit of a few key goals we have conceded. In defeat to Birmingham City for example, he was tackled in his own box:
Doncaster Rovers' Youtube: Rovers 1-3 Birmingham City
That said, Husband has only had one full season in his career as a regular. He has a lot of potential and will undoubtedly play in the Premiership, just like Johnstone, however he has quite clear development goals to set himself. In the short term he should flourish in League One and be able to iron out these mishaps.
Along with the above factors, I think another thing which has happened, since the Birmingham turnaround is complacency. How, as one of the smallest teams in the division and one that won last year's League One title through being the side with the most desire, could change to being complacent I have no answer. It should not have happened and the manager should be held responsible for this.
However, are we entirely right to blame ourselves? No, I don't think that's true either. Referees in the Premier League get a high level of criticism on Match of the Day, but believe me, the Championship is far worse. Below is an image of Andy D'Urso in Doncaster's match with Barnsley, which they drew 2-2, gazing into the East Stand at the Keepmoat as Husband is wrestled to the ground.
BBC Football League Show Screenshot: 15/2/2014
Perhaps the most notable refereeing of the season came at an away game at The Valley, Charlton in 2013. In the pouring rain, Doncaster took a 3 goal lead. However with surface water beginning to appear, the game paused. The rain stopped, Charlton pulled one back and Paul Keegan was sent off for Doncaster. At half-time however, match official Lee Collins opted to abandon the match. A "shambolic" decision according to Doncaster boss, Dickov. Three points pulled out of The Vikings' fingertips, and to add salt into the wounds, Paul Keegan's suspension stood.
Youtube: Charlton 1-3 Doncaster
Another shocking refereeing decision came across London at The Den, Millwall. Meite didn't even foul a Lions player yet was shown the red card. In a match with Ipswich, Gabriel Tamas was flattened by a Town player and even Mick McCarthy said it was a foul. Yet play continued & Suffolk's finest secured three points.
So with all factors combined, Doncaster's feat in the Championship was sealed. Relegation, despite keeping out of the bottom three until the last thirty seconds of the final day, when Birmingham snatched a draw at the death at Bolton.
So instead of Sunderland it's Scunthorpe for the Rovers next campaign. However, I believe had Rovers not been quite so unlucky this season things could have ended very differently indeed. This provides me with great optimism for the year ahead. We have players who have proved themselves in the Championship this campaign & I believe we have offered clear warning sides to League One that next season we will be the team to beat.
It wasn't too bad last time after all.
Doncaster Rovers' Youtube: Brentford 0-1 Doncaster
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