A Villa Thriller

Written on 14th August

Aston Villa supporters are not unused to strange weeks by any stretch of the imagination over the course of their long, illustrious history, but the strangest week since Randy Lerner’s takeover has certainly grabbed the attention of the football world.

Earlier this summer, Villa’s England star James Milner stated he wished to leave the Midlands club, and there were echoes of Gareth Barry’s demanding move to Liverpool, haunting Villa’s faithful fans that once again their club were only a stepping stone between the rest of the Premier League and the infamous ‘big six’; Manchester United and City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and the Merseyside Reds, who finished below Villa last season.

Barry’s switch to the North West’s former European Cup Winners eventually fell through, and the midfield dynamo opted for the ambitious, money-wrapped Manchester City, and it is City which looks the likely destination for his former partner Milner.

City have become villains in the Premier League over recent years, does that make the Birmingham club, the more famous owners of that particularly nickname, the victims?

The Eastland’s side have already lost respect from Everton and specifically David Moyes over their pursuit of Joleon Lescott, who took the short drive to switch for £25million in a very public debacle. Also Carlos Tevez’s switch to the club from Manchester United, despite the Argentine stating he ‘wouldn’t join a rival’ when he opted against switching to Liverpool. And Arsene Wenger was less than flattered when Emmanuel Adebayor joined the cast of stars which is still yet to break into a Champions League place.

Back to the Midlands it looks as though Milner has a £30million asking price, surely an overrated place for a midfielder who has only been known as an England regular since the last World Cup, when his nation famously flopped on the largest stage.

I’m not suggesting players are wrong to switch to the team, now managed by Roberto Mancini, but the club are clearly unprofessional in their transfer movements to land their big names to the club.

And it looks like this might have been the cause for perhaps the biggest twist of the Milner saga, the departure of manager Martin O’Neill. A instrumental part of Nottingham Forest’s dominance at the top during his playing career, it looks like the former Celtic boss finally lost his rag on the situation. Randy Lerner, who announced his ambitions to make Villa a force in the top flight during his takeover, thoughts echoed by O’Neill in his first press conference. But O’Neill sighted a change in ambitions with his boss, and it is believed that Milner was sold below the valuation set by O’Neill.

It wasn’t the build up to the season that Villa were on the lookout for. Their manager gone, and most influential player on the exit path. Surely it was inevitable that the their match against West Ham, aided by Graham MacDonald as caretaker manager was destined for defeat?

No such story. An unlikely ending to Villa’s gloomy week as the Midlander’s sailed to a convincing victory, perhaps making neutrals thinking the problems were at opposition West Ham rather than for the hosts.

The goalscorer of the third goal? The ‘unsettled’ midfielder Milner, booed onto the field because of the actions of the last days and weeks, exited to a standing ovation. The jeerers were silenced by a splendid display, Milner now may leave for Lancashire with the backing of his current club’s fans, although the general complexity of his switch will leave a sour taste in their fan’s mouthes.

It could yet turn to be an inspired move for all parties, City could have found money well spent with a switch that could lead them to Premiership glories, the Villa become a lot richer and can maybe smile at the move providing they find an adequate replacement, James Milner arguably has a greater oppitunity to win trophies and also finds his pocket increased with more money, and Martin O’Neill may find himself a better club, with his successful CV still intact, before it turned sour in the first place.

But it is severely risky. Villa lost a manager who took them from the lower reaches of the Premier League into Europe. They also are destined to lose a fantastic player. And it also gives those in this world who have a dislike to the beautiful game yet another opportunity to slam the game which continues to fail to fund itself. Is it in disrepute? Or is it not football at fault? Is it more a case of the ‘ruiners’ of the modern game are Manchester City!?

Dream On, Doncaster

Written on July 27th

The summer rain has begun to poor in South Yorkshire today, after a mostly bright last few weeks. Glum clouds hover in the skies, and there’s a cold breeze that echoes from the trees. Maybe today is the day that Doncaster Rovers realise that this season will be the hardest in the Championship to date, as the new found optimism from the record signing of Billy Sharp begins to wear off, and Rovers fans start to realise still how very little strength in depth they have and begin to doubt their promotion credentials.

As someone who always looks at the bigger picture, and therefore sees the glass as half full more than half empty more the most, I possess a dream. A dream similar to that of Doncaster Rovers’ famous chairman, John Ryan, who has tipped the club for Premier League football. Ryan wishes Rovers to complete the final hurdle of his mammoth dream, which thus far has seen the club win three promotions during his tenure; reach the quarter finals of the Carling Cup and win the Football League Trophy- but is this dream nearing its completion? Or are we still far adrift from the ‘Promised Land’? I’m going to review the facts, but even the most optimistic of fan should be able to spot the difference between impossible, unlikely and believable. Which one does Rovers’ dream fit into this season?

Last summer Doncaster sold midfielder Richie Wellens to Leicester City. Richie was a huge player in our team that claimed promotion from League One via the Play-offs in 2007-08 and also helped us achieve the ‘great escape’ following being bottom at Christmas in the Championship in 2008. At his sale Rovers fans contemplated the worse, the former Blackpool and Oldham midfielder may have said that his time at the Keepmoat Stadium was the ‘best of his career’ but many saw Leicester as a step down, as they had just won promotion from League One themselves in 2008-09, and there were fears amidst that Rovers had become a sinking ship. Fans dreams were put on hold even further when Matthew Mills left for Reading FC, the Englishman is regarded in many people’s eyes to be the best centre back in the division, so this switch undoubtedly should have proved a huge blow to Sean O’Driscoll’s men.


Neither star was replaced by a big money purchase. John Oster, himself formerly at Reading, arrived from Crystal Palace on a free transfer in midfield. And Jason Shackell, transfer listed at Wolverhampton Wanderers and relegated with Norwich City in 08-09 arrived on loan in the centre of defence. What was our manager playing at? Particularly with Rovers still owning no recognised striker, as Steve Brooker remained on the sidelines with injury, where he was to stay for the rest of the season. Along with doubts over the striking ability of Paul Heffernan, James Hayter and Lewis Guy as Rovers had been the lowest scorers in the country for much of the previous campaign.

It was difficult to believe back then that our magnificent manager, who had been at the helm since 2006 was completely capable of keeping us in the division. The squad looked a weak shadow of its former self, and somehow we had to keep our status in the second tier of English football. O’Driscoll, not only kept us up, but did it in such style that the football world sat up and took notice, and Premier League side Burnley even made an audacious attempt to steal our beloved messiah. We must have done something right!

After an inconsistent start, Rovers solved their problematic striker crisis, by taking Billy Sharp on a seasons long loan from Sheffield United. Billy was an unpopular choice at the Blades, failing to live up to high expectations placed upon him from his amazing tally at Scunthorpe United previously in his career, neither had he shown any signs of adapting to Kevin Blackwell’s much more direct tactics. The 11th hour move, as the loan window neared closure, looked a shrewd move for all parties; Rovers found a prolific goalscorer capable of fitting the final piece of the jigsaw, Sharp found another chance to prove he can find the net at this level rather than in the lower depths of gloomy 3rd and 4th tiers of the English game, and Sheffield United remove an unwanted squad member from the wage bill? Everyone was happy and Rovers, with Sharp netting 15 goals before he picked up an injury near the end of the campaign, not only starved off relegation but also came within a whisker from the Play-off places.

Its strange how things can change in twelve months. The credit must go to the manager for his inspired, shrewd, bargain purchases. Rovers had finished in the top half of the Championship table without spending more than £500,000 on any one player. Its no wonder Burnley came knocking, but due to the financial stability Rovers had installed, the Lancashire side backed away and Rovers went on to continue their to-be-unsuccessful promotion push, as Burnley were relegated with Brian Laws at the helm.

Its not just the manager which makes my club so special. The dreams of the chairman and the fans, who often get realism and optimism confused within one another have to be given credit. And so the club’s rise shows no signs of slowing.

Rovers were so confident enough in their ability to maintain a challenge for promotion to the next level in the coming season that the club broke their transfer record to make Billy Sharp the highest paid player in the clubs history, fighting off Leeds United and Burley to do this. Who are both arguably bigger clubs. Sharp is no doubt confident in Rovers ambitions, and the club believe they can continue their drive on their quest for even greater glories.

But not everyone is an optimist in Donny, and it’s easy to see exactly why. Despite Rovers proving their squad last season had the ability to battle with the majority of the division, the club has noted an absence of some key players.

These began towards the end of last season. Rovers had a mini crisis in the centre of defence. Jason Shackell sustained an injury, which was to rule him out of the rest of the campaign, coupled with Sam Hird’s inexperience, and Adam Lockwood’s inconsistency resulted in James O’Connor being forced to deputise outside of his regular right back position, partnering Sheldon Martis.

With the end of Shackell’s loan spell, and him subsequently departing the Midlands for Barnsley, Rovers still have to endure the same problem that was created back then. O’Connor, despite providing excellent cover, is not being used to the best of his ability if he is in the wrong position.

Fans have also expressed concern that one of the clubs three summer signings this summer was a defensive midfielder. Rovers already have Wales international Brian Stock and ex-Manchester United and Middlesborough midfielder Mark Wilson occupying this position, so why have the club bothered to purchase Simon Gillett from Southampton, a man very highly rated on the south coast, who will no doubt demand first team football.

Rovers still have a striker crisis of sorts too. Steve Brooker’s fitness continues to be a major talking point from the Viking faithful. Added to this release of strikers Paul Heffernan and Lewis Guy, leaving just Sharp, James Hayter and Waide Fairhurst at the club. Fairhurst has just nine Rovers appearances to his name having graduated from the youth setup, meanwhile Hayter looks a depleted, old version of the prolific goalscorer once seen at Bournemouth early on in his career, and whether he can still cut the mustard in the Championship remains in doubt. O’Driscoll also sees Hayter as more of a midfielder.

So it looks like Rovers’ strength in depth could prove a stumbling block. You cannot have a promotion fight which is relying on the club’s season being injury free. At this point because of this, even I think promotion is beyond the club. But with the right individuals added it could provide the talent to really kick on this season, and not just finish in the top half again next season. But it could see us matching or bettering many people’s predictions that Doncaster Rovers could be the Championship’s dark horses in 2010-2011. ‘Dream On, Doncaster’ I say!

Bolton & Owen Coyle

It’s been a difficult week for most people in this country, as the cold, frosty conditions have marred the week for young, old, cheerful and miserable. Yes, snow has dared to rear its often ugly head to see Great Britain again, but certainly for me that has become distasteful and boring after a while.

If you think you week hasn’t been the most enduring of weeks, then perhaps you are showing jealousy to fans of Burnley, Bolton and Preston; who have been busy creating atmosphere in the Lancastrian air, to mare Mark Hughes’ exit from Manchester City and has even made people forget about Premier League champions Manchester United.

I rate Coyle highly, just like Phil Brown at Hull he has made fantastic strides with a club that I expected to rot at the wrong end of the second tier, taking the side to the gloss and glamour of the Premiership.

I thought Coyle had done so well at Burnley that when Gary Megson was dismissed as the gaffer of their local rivals, Bolton, that Wanderers wouldn’t bother looking to their former centre forward, and Coyle would not be interested in a switch to the Reebok. For me it is certainly a sideward step, and it is potentially a backwards step.

It is an opinion of many, Bolton fans and neutral alike, that Wanderers have failed to adequately replace Sam Allardyce; who after guiding Bolton back to the Premier League, established the side in the division and lead them into Europe, abandoned ship for Newcastle United in 2007. During his time at Bolton, “Big Sam” was also strongly linked with the England National Team coach in 2006, before the football association eventually plumped with Steve McClaren.

Although Coyle is the third successor to Allardyce’s throne the pressure is still heavily on the former Republic of Ireland international, to keep the Trotters in the top flight. Big Sam created an ethos for Bolton fans that they can believe that success is easily achievable, but his successors have proved that path to be very difficult indeed.

Thinking back to 2007 I believed that the appointment of Sammy Lee as Big Sam’s successor to be a shrewd move. You often are unaware at football clubs how much of an influence the assistant manager has. This has been shown at Leeds United, as when assistant manager Gus Poyet left Elland Road in October 2007, when Dennis Wise’s team slowly began to look a poorer side despite the same manager still being at the helm. Incidentally earlier that October, Lee was dismissed as Bolton manager after a dismal run of form has seen them struggle in the division. Lee still remains a popular character because of his time as Allardyce’s assistant, but it is a poor example when we talk about assistant managers taking full control of the senior side.

Bolton had then become the latest club to attempt to the ‘promote from within’ technique that has been so successful at Liverpool when Bill Shankly had be succeeded by Bob Paisley. But on this occasion, at Bolton, it had failed and Bolton’s pride had been dinted.

But it wasn’t damaged too badly. Bolton were still a good side, and Phil Gartside, the Bolton chairman was expected to appoint a good new manager. I think the nation gasped when it was named who it was going to be. Gary Megson. He wasn’t number one choice however approaches for Steve Bruce and Chris Coleman were turned down. It wasn’t that Megson was particularly the cheap option either. He was struggling to revamp a sinking ship at Leicester City, and he was freshly appointed, which to me says that compensation may have been expensive. Megson’s previous position had been at Nottingham Forest, where despite, by League One standards, over-spending, he had failed to win promotion. Previously to this he had succeeded in winning promotion to the Premier League, at West Brom, however he was dismissed following disagreements with the board. So it was a risky decision to say the least.

So this proved to be the case, as Bolton chanted calls for the manager and his chairman to be removed from their positions from a very early stage. Megson had an unattractive and largely unsuccessful style of management, and the fans were bemused. In the football club’s best interests, sacking Megson was the right decision as a business and its customers shouldn’t be forced to co-operate together with the problems that Megson put upon himself.

This time the appointment process has been often a farce. Bolton’s pursuit of Owen Coyle has been very public and events have been visible to the public. Yes it made it more intriguing but it hasn’t reflected well for Burnley or Bolton. Now-Blackburn manager, Allardyce has also stated this opinion claiming that he wouldn’t like being in Owen Coyle’s position, with the entire world airing its opinion on whether Coyle is making the right move.

It makes you wonder what Bolton’s aims are. They have signed someone with just a few months of Premier League experience and yet have poached a manager from a similar sized club, which shows ambition. Yet Bolton’s aim in the near future is survival, Coyle has to quickly thrust players together who are off form, despite a thin history of this feat. Does this move suggest that Bolton want to be back in Europe in the short term, despite Coyle hardly knowing the division?

For me, Coyle is a very good manager but there’s a right place at the right time scenario, and for me Coyle is a few years too late. I can only see this switch being a poor move for him, he has a brilliant reputation at the moment with a club he already knows well, and he’s dived head first into the unknown. If it works, however, it is a masterstroke.

Reading Vs Leicester (Preview) - For Football-Forever

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Reading Vs Leicester City

The Majeski Stadium plays host to a tie between Reading FC and Leicester City FC on Monday night. Its a 'top end of the table vs bottom end of the table' affair, but its not the way that pundits, bookies and fans alike were predicting in the summer.

To say Reading have been out of sorts this season, is potentially an understatement. Despite today being a game in hand in front tonight, they sit in the bottom three. Yes, they were out of the relegation places before the weekends games, but after Peterborough's 3-0 win over Scunthorpe, the Posh have over taken the Royals and it sees only Ipswich and Plymouth below them in the table. Reading have the third worse goal difference in the table, only 'bettered' by Plymouth and Ipswich. There eleven goals is also the lowest goal tally in the Championship this season, clearly rueing the exit of enfluential Kevin Doyle to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer. They have so far lost every match in October; with their last victory coming in a tie with Preston at Deepdale in late September.


Key Man: Matthew Mills - their £2million buy has hardly featured this season and is rumoured to be unhappy. But potential the best centre back in the division, the former Doncaster man is cool and collected in every defensive area. He possesses a good right foot, capable of removing the ball from any frail position. He is also strong in the air and has a football brain which allows him to go to the right place at the right time.



Edgar Davids has not signed in time for Leicester for tonights match, so will not face the Royals at the Majeski. The League One Champions, Leicester, are in completely different form than tonight's rivals. The weekends results have seen Foxes slip to 10th place in the table, despite being in 8th on Saturday morning. A win, will see the Foxes enter the play-offs at QPR's expense. Leicester are in a good vein of form this season, with just two defeats this season in the league, their unbeaten away record denied by Newcastle on the 31st August. They also lost to Preston North End in September. Leicester have scored in all but three matches this season.

Key Man: Richie Wellens - their £1.2million summer signing as has been influential this season, since his move from Doncaster in July. Wellens can play as both an attacking and defensive midfielder, and has two strong feet. His passing is excellent both short and long. He is City's playmaker therefore dictates the pace which the game is played, providing the Foxes boss precedings.


Rob of the Rovers' Prediction: Reading O-2 Leicester.

Newcastle United 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

I haven't seen as many devasted Doncaster faces as I saw at the full time whistle for some time.

I don't think any Newcastle player can come out with any credit - they were diabolical. I can completely understand why Newcastle fans are unexcited by Chris Hughton getting the managerial position full time; their players looked unhappy at the prospect of facing 'little Doncaster' and perhaps gave the message before kick-off of 'we'll only need to turn up'.



On the other hand I thought we were brilliant. I can't fault anyone's performance. I thought dropping Hayter was a fantastic move and I thought we looked a lot more committed in the final third - although I do blame his replacement, Quinton Fortune, for the final goal, which I'll go on to later. Fortune's role gave us two defensive midfielders, to partner Simon Gillett, which I don't think we needed in all honesty.

In the first half particularly we were more than comfortable - it became almost arrogance as the game went on, however. The little triangles were working almost to perfection and we were stringing the ball around nicely. One slight concern was that Sharp seemed to be occupying a more wide, supporting role for Dean Shiels, which potentially confused our opponents, but I thought Shiels was a faster opposition who was more likely to exploit the space left by the poorly organised Newcastle back line.

We took the lead from a lovely worked move. Billy Sharp found himself one-on-one with Steve Harper, after another defensive mare from the Magpies, but instead of taking the greedy option of trying to score in that situation he played a beautiful, trick ball across the six-yard box, and Shiels on the left hand side of the box couldn't miss. It was an easy goal, to cap an easy performance.

In the second half, unfortunately, we took our foot off the peddle. When everything, bar some dubious linesmaning from the assistant referee, was going our way. I think there was many times in that match, particularly one decision when Sharp was deeper than his marker when the ball was kicked, and the linesman flagged for offside.

No doubt Hughton's half time team talk was quite good though. If that is a positive from a Newcastle point of view. Although I still don't think Newcastle were brilliant, they found an 'inner self' from the second half, which although they went more direct, and reminded me of the way Sheffield United tried to come back at us after trailing several weeks ago. They did spend longer in our half than we did in there's. Although I didn't really think at any point, until it happened that they were going to score. Three 'open goals' were missed by United.

Kevin Nolan's shot (that isn't shown in the above highlights) was probably the worse of the lot. From about two yards out he managed to trick Neil Sullivan, almost like a penalty, to dive the wrong way. Then Nolan managed to fluff it wide. It made me laugh to be honest. It's exactly how not to take your chances.

In fairness Newcastle did continue to try and press as Doncaster began to weaken. Newcastle scored an equaliser when a lovely cross was met by Andy Caroll who struck a fantastic half volley beyond Neil Sullivan. If I'm going to give anyone the blame, unfortunately its got to be James O'Connor. He's gradually becoming the player he has been since he joined the club, but a lack of concentration, allowed Caroll to get beyond him and slot the ball across the goal.

We had a shout for handball on the edge of the box, which looked almost the same as what had been given against Billy Sharp a few minutes earlier. It clearly bounced up against his arm, but the referee decided to make a decision against Sharp but not against the Newcastle defender - which is hardly a level playing field.

We won a penalty with 15 minutes to go, which would have sent us 2-1 up and probably won us the game. It was a penalty, again you can see it on the highlights at the top of the page. Martin Woods was stuck in whether to place it or go for power. The eventual result was that he sent it miles wide. I didn't have any grudges about him taking it, as he scored his last one; against Spurs in August.

Maybe from that you could say it wasn't our day. United then scored with a long range effort to silence their own doubters, who booed them off at half time. As I said, if anyone is to blame it was Fortune. By now Gillett had been substituted as we went more attacking for the win. But Nolan wasn't closed down by our defensive midfielder. Fortune wasn't close enough to the former Bolton man, forcing O'Connor to have to step in. It was quite lucky going in off the post. But it was a very nice goal but it ruined a very positive display from the Rovers.

Doncaster 3-1 Peterborough

"I think Hayter should be dropped for a game or two" said one man.

"No. A month or two, more like" said a second.

Then, perhaps jokily, yet with a hint of seriousness and sinisterism "If I was O'Driscoll, I'd be tempted to give him a season or two's rest." said the third.

I've heard a lot of funny but worrying statements in and around the Keepmoat stadium after a match, but the above is right up there with the best, and I understand whole-heartedly where the gentlemen are coming from, when I heard them walking around the lake last night.

It was said before the game that two Peterborough sides are possible - a good, talented, motivated side. Or the opposite, a dire lacklustre side, bluntly not good enough for the second tier . Fortunately for us, and tragically for the visitors , I think its safe to say we witnessed the latter - if it was one of their better displays I think they are in for a very hard season.

In fairness though, they started well. A change of end wasn't the 'change' I had in mind, I was thinking more individuals and at the start it wasn't a wise move at all; for the first 5-10 minutes they were on top. But we defended strongly and held firm. Before hitting them on a well worked counter attack.

The below average crowd who had to watch, with heads already in their Yorkshire and Peterborough palms, a game of head tennis. But the ball broke to Dean Sheils who had his shot parried by goalkeeper Joe Lewis, and it fell to Billy Sharp who couldn't really miss from two yards out. It was a poacher's goal from a man who I thought would bring a more rounded game to the Keepmoat Stadium, but he just reminds me of Paul Heffernan. The finish was straight down the middle, which confused the goalkeeper who thought the ball would find its way into the bottom corner.

And it didn't take long for the lead to be doubled. After some neat build up play, Dean Sheils' rocketed a shot from the edge of the area, sending the home supporters into bliss. Shiels was my man of the match. He looked quality. Running into every area on the pitch, including those you wouldn't expect. He was doubling up on basically every player on the pitch.

I got told not to underestimate Peterborough before the game, but this was going to plan and was very good despite the sloppy surface, making it more in the air than usual. I got told to watch for George Boyd and Danny Rose, I struggled to notice he was there, and needed did Darren Ferguson as they were both taken off in the second half.

It all got a bit tense when, apparently cruising Rovers, conceded a goal. A slack mistake from James Chambers on the Rovers right for the attack in question, let the Peterborough winger get passed him and James O'Connor and Neil Sullivan were beaten by the head of Aaron McLean. McLean did play quite well for Boro, but I think based on that performance he is potentially over-rated. Certainly fellow striker, Craig Mackail-Smith is. He was nowhere to be seen for long period, perhaps due to Peterborough's inept showing in midfield, but it was difficult to tell. He hardly had any opportunities, and when he did he didn't take them.

Rovers' final goal came after the game had fizzled out for a while. Before the goals I said, "Why do we still get excited over corners? We only score one a year.", next thing I know, Martin Woods' cross has been met by Jason Shackall and Donny have three. Game over.

Paul Heffernan - We need him to stay

The Paul Heffernan story at Doncaster Rovers is a fascinating saga. The striker, Rovers' top scorer, despite injury problems, in three of the last four seasons, now apparently is targeting a move away from the club.

The Irishman has become a clear fans favourite in South Yorkshire over the last four years, but has tasted a sour relationship with current manager Sean O'Driscoll.

When Heffernan was signed, it was by Dave Penney and it was to replace the outgoing Gregg Blundell, as Rovers looked for a new striking outlet for their first season in League One. It was quite a large void, as Ross McCormack, Chris Brown and Adebayor Akinfenwa, who all have a goalscoring pedigree in the football league, had all departed the club that summer.

Heffernan wasn't an instant shirt-sale booster. He had spent the last season as third choice at Bristol City, behind Leroy Lita and Steve Brooker. But Notts County and Bristol City fans had high opinions of him, as a player with a history of 'if he plays he will score'.

At Notts County, Heffernan netted 35 times in 74 starts in the League, which is quite impressive and warranted a move to League One City. It is very close to one goal every other start.

However his season at Ashton Gate was less than successful. Starts were scarce, yet Heffs still managed to score five goals in ten starts. A Bristol City fan once said to me, that had Heffernan stayed they may well had gone up that season and Tinnion would be still in the job.

Heffs came to Rovers, however, still little known to League One, still with a group of people concerned that he wasn't a proven League One goalscorer. But he settled in magnificently. Forging a partnership with Lewis Guy, Rovers established themselves in League One, finishing the season in 8th and reaching the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup. Heffernan was a fantastic goalscorer. Not the fastest, but he was excellent when latching onto through balls and was one of the best one-on-one goalscorers I have ever seen. His finish against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, was typical Heffs, a pass which beated the defence and Heffs was never going to fail to beat Thomas Sorenson from inside the area.

In early 2009, Heffernan's judgement against Arsenal, with Rovers seconds away from the semi-finals of the Carling Cup was voted Rovers' most regrettable moment of the last ten years by supporters. Heffernan gave the ball away, and quick counter attacking football resulted in the ball soon hitting the back of Jan Budtz' net.

Heffernans form has been consistant ever since he joined the side. In 05-06, Heffernan scored 13 goals, that was despite him being injured for the remaining three months of the season.

The change of manager didn't affect his goalscoring either. Heffernan scored 21 times in 06-07, as Rovers won the JP Trophy. His goal at the Millennium Stadium, and it was without knowing it, disputably the end of an era for Donny's number 14.

Bournemouth had relied on James Hayter for goals for many years in the O'Driscoll era, so it was only returning a favour when 'the Arsene Wenger of League One' brought his blue-eyed boy to the Keepmoat Stadium. Hayter was a record signing with a proven track record of scoring in League One. Unlike Heff's deal this set the shirt sales boosting. The marketting plea of the 'Heff'n'Hayter' was released in T-Shirt format, as Rovers aimed to get promotion to the Championship at the third attempt.

But it soon became apparent to what the problem was. Rovers struggled to score goals, and chants of 'O'Driscoll out' could be echoed on the terraces. The plan that had got Rovers' dreams and ambitions into a poweful flame, were now in fading drastically, and they looked like a team of relegation strugglers than promotion pushers.

In 07-08, Heffernan still managed eight goals. He finished as joint top scorer, despite being injured for long stages. In March alone, he netted five times in six games, as Rovers found their way up the table. Heffs then had another injury problem, and was ruled out for April. He returned, under pressure in the last day of the season against Cheltenham Town. Rovers were a win away from going up, yet with Gareth Taylor and Mark McCammon being the strikeforce, Rovers never threatened against the relegation strugglers. It was 1-0 when Heffernan came on, Paul Green pulled it back to 1-1, but in an attempt to steal victory Rovers conceded in the dieing minutes. But back fit again, Heffernan was in the team going into the play-offs.

For the first leg of the play-off semis, a Rovers' team consisting of Paul Heffernan took the long trip to Roots Hall and Southend United. Heffernan, now a firm favourite with the visiting fans, was labelled Rovers' best scoring outlet.

Unforuntately both sides cancelled each other out. But Heffernan's Rovers career was about to take a mamouth twist. Frustrated by being fouled by an opposition defender, Heffs' let his anger known and deliberately headbutted the opposition player, under the eyes of the public watching on Sky Sports, and spotted by the referee.

Maybe Heffernan cannot be inexcused for his actions. Maybe Heffs was wrong with what he did, but following the dissmissal it is rumoured that Heffs was subject to an off-field onslaught for his antics. The former Notts County man was questioned for his attidute to football by the manager, and it was labelled a huge mishap on the strikers' part. Heffernan concequently missed the trip to Wembley because of the suspension.

Even when he returned in 2008-09, Heffernan struggled to return to the first team. Gareth Taylor and James Hayter was the perfered striker combination as Rovers' slipped into the relegation places, and were the lowest scoring side in the football league.

Heffernan's name was being chanted from the stands as the pressure mounted on the ex-Bournemouth boss to 'let bygons be bygons', but O'Driscoll stuck to his stubborn ways and didn't start Heffernan until a tie with Ipswich in November. Rovers ended their run of 13 games without a win, Heffernan did not score the winning goal but his impact was certainly noted.

Heffernan was then excluded from the team again, making his return against top of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers, who eventually won the title, Heffernan and Guy, a recognised partnership for numerous years had a positive impact, with Heffernan hitting the bar, as the Hoops more than matched the league leaders. Subsequently the same strikers were used at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. Rovers proved exactly what they could do and routed with a 4-2 win, leading by four goals at one point. Heffernan netted two of his ten league goals that season, on that afternoon. Even though Forest were struggling it was proof that Rovers could more than hold their own in English football's second tier.

Rovers were the second best team in the Championship in the last half of the 08-09 season, and Heffernan was top scorer for the club. It provoked even stronger hailings from the club's supporters, but the incident at Southend clearly stood in the manager's mind. But at this time, the fans thought the manager had 'ate humble pie' and let the results done the talking, subsequently learning from his mistakes.

I think it's safe to see I and a lot of the Paul Heffernan fan club were wrong. Heffernan was ruled out for the remaining stages of the season allowing James Hayter to again attempt to persuade the doubters that he's a useful acquisition and it was the 'Heffer'n'Hayter' duo that started this season.

However after failing to score against Watford and Coventry, Heffernan was out of the team - with those two fixture's potentially being his last home and away ties in a Rovers shirt. I think he played well against Coventry. I didn't think there was much out of order with his performance, he just didn't score, whereas Hayter did. Maybe that is all it comes down to? Or more likely it goes back to that Play-off semi final. On deadline day Heffernan was strongly linked with a move to League One minnows Leeds United, with Radio Leeds playing up a the rumour that he was to move to the West Yorkshire side. Nothing happened, despite it forcing me to spend long spells of the day on 'Waccoe'.

In October, unrest was pretty much confirmed. Heffernan's agent confirmed his client was tempted by a loan move with O'Driscoll perfering the out of form Hayter and youngster Waide Fairhurst to the 'tried and tested' striker. Heffernan's resilience has according to rumours, stirred up interest from fellow Championship sides and top League One clubs, including Leeds - who have signed Sam Vokes so there linking with Heffs has been decreasing, and Oldham Athletic, managed by the man who took him to Belle Vue, Dave Penney.

I hope he stays, but somehow I doubt it. There's only one Paul Heffernan.