Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-9 Liverpool Ladies

Doncaster Rovers Belles suffered their second heavy defeat this week when they lost 9-0 to Liverpool Ladies, a game in which the visitors led 7-0 by half-time.

Liverpool got off to a flyer. Three minutes in Amanda Da Costa’s effort was denied by the crossbar, before captain Gemma Bonner blasted in the rebound.

It got worse for Doncaster soon after. Nicole Rosler was fouled by Victoria Williams from behind when bearing down on Nicola Davies. Williams was last the defender so was promptly dismissed for her troubles. Louise Fors stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, left-footed she slotted, unnerved, into the bottom-right corner, sending Davies the wrong way.

Down to ten players, the Belles failed to readjust and after waves of the Merseysider’s attack, Davies was beaten again after twenty-one minutes. After some neat passing build-up, Fara Williams slid a perfect ball through to Corina Schroder who beat the offside trap, before pulling back to Natasha Dowie, situated on the penalty spot, who slotted home the third.

It was 3-0 for only seconds. Millie Bright misjudged a challenge on Da Costa in the box, and Dowie stepped up for the resulting penalty. She opted for the bottom left-corner, and although the keeper dived the right way, the kick was perfectly placed.

Liverpool’s next two goals were distance shots. Fara Williams first struck with a low effort into the bottom right corner; she scored again with a stunning blast which flew into the top-left of the goal, five minutes later. 6-0.

 Liverpool were certainly showing why they had been tipped by many to win the title, whilst Doncaster were definitely rocked. Nicola Rosler went beyond Leandra Little as if she wasn’t there before sliding it back to Dowie, who netted her hat-trick. 

The visitors knew the job was done and produced a more relaxed second half-performance, and they waited thirty-minutes before adding to their tally. Nicole Rosler cut inside from left and hit a stunning right-footed effort into the corner of the goal. Nine minutes prior to this Doncaster had lost Bethany England to injury subsequently creating seven minutes added time. Liverpool completed the scoring in the third minute of the stoppage time period. Lucy Bronze pulled the ball back from the byline, before Kate Longhurt smoothly made it Doncaster Belles 0-9 Liverpool Ladies.

Doncaster Belles Team: Nicola Davies, Lyndsey Cunningham, Naomi Chadwick, Leandra Little ©, Kasia Lipka, Sue Smith, Millie Bright, Bethany England, Victoria Williams, Ashleigh Mills, Rhiannon Roberts. Subs: Emma Higgins, Julie Melrose, Danni Cox, Emma Johnson, Lauren Cresswell, Lucy Sowerby.

Liverpool Ladies: Rachael Laws, Whitney Engen, Fara Williams, Gemma Bonner ©, Lucy Bronze, Katrin Omarsdottir, Natasha Dowie, Louise Fors, Nicole Rosley, Amanda Da Costa, Corina Schroder. Subs: Sarah Quantrill, Becky Easton, Samantha Chappell, Sophia Roccio, Jess Holbrock, Sarah Gregorius, Kate Longhurt

Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-6 Arsenal Ladies

Already-relegated Doncaster Rovers Belles were comprehensively beaten, 6-0, by reigning Womens Super League champions Arsenal Ladies at the Keepmoat Stadium in South Yorkshire.

Perhaps surprisingly, the game started off cagey with the Belles, who had only picked two points from the first seven games of the season, vying for control in midfield with their North London visitors. But then the FA Cup Holders switched gears and the Arsenal express train rolled into town. 

Before the game the Doncaster hierarchy stated: "I'm not prone on exaggeration, but I'll put my money on Doncaster Rovers Belles being champions within ten years.", but when the Gunners grabbed a foothold in the game the ambitious statement began looking like an even taller order than may have been first anticipated. 

Rachel Yankey's corner on 28 minutes was met by the head of Gilly Flaherty, whose bullet header flew into the corner of the goal, beyond Nicola Davies.

It was the lacklustre Belles defensive performance during this five minute period which defined the match; by the time it was over the Belles trailed by three goals and the tie was effectively over as a contest. Arsenal doubled their lead when Lyndsey Cunningham's sloppy pass was intercepted by Jordan Nobbs who cheekily chipped the effort from inside the area into the back of the net. The third was scored when Yankey crossed to Gemma Davison who passed the ball across the penalty area which, via a deflection, found itself Kim Little who struck the shot into the corner of the goal.

Doncaster regrouped for a while after that, holding out to the 67th minute before Arsenal grabbed a forth. Substitute Ellen White seemed to sneak through on goal unnoticed by the host's defense. Perhaps Doncaster defender Rhiannon Roberts may have felt she could have nicked the ball from the attacker's toes, but missed the opportunity as the blonde neared goal thus outpacing the defender. One-on-one the striker kept her composure to stroke the ball past Davies who was left the pick the ball out of the net for a fourth time.

The Doncaster defence was again exposed five minutes later. White's powerful sprint meant the away side were two-on-one with the keeper. Davies narrowed the recent-scorer's angle but she was left to slide the ball across the six-yard box where Danielle Carter slid the ball into the empty net. 5-0.

Three minutes later, on 75 minutes the scoring was complete. Captain Steph Houghton's free-kick was deflected off the wall and flew past the diving Davies. Despite stopping the rout, Doncaster undoubtedly have a difficult job upping spirits and confidence ahead of their fixture with Liverpool on Saturday evening.

Arsenal Ladies are certainly title contenders, the club sit two points behind leaders Liverpool however have a game in hand, and it was the visitors who had the first three half-chances, all squandered by Steph Houghton. Kim Little's corner on twelve minutes was aimed at goal by Houghton's boot however the effort was blocked by the the Doncaster defence. The second Houghton effort was from the edge of the box and flew high and wide. Rachel Yankey then played a perfect ball to Houghton who found herself unmarked on the left-hand side of the penalty area however the attempt was blasted over the bar.

Arsenal looked lively down the right too. Gemma Davison dispossessed Lauren Cresswell before appearing to play a perfect pass to Jordan Nobbs who could only send it straight at the Doncaster stopper. Davison increased in confidence from this move and attempted a solo run two minutes later, reaching the byline she tried a dangerous looking cross across the six-yard box but the Doncaster defence were able to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Arsenal refused to get frustrated and it was less than a minute later that Flaherty knocked in the opener.

 Arsenal had become the dominate force in the match and another attack on the right nearly resulted in another goal. Davison played through Alex Scott, but the first-time effort was sent straight at the keeper. Nobbs made amens for her teammate's chances with a beautiful finish for Arsenal's second soon after, before Little made it three.

They could have found a fourth within the next five minutes, Carter's flick-header found Rachel Yankey who shrugged off Leandra Little's pressure but sent the shot inches wide.

Late in the first-half a goal for the hosts may have turned the tides of the game, and they did have two opportunities. Bethany England played in Sue Smith who cut inside from the right, Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne appeared to slip but Smith's effort couldn't hit the target.

Shortly after Millie Bright was fouled on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, the Doncaster attacker sent the ball over the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.

Doncaster's momentum continued for a short time in the second half. England's left-footed cross was met by Bright but the header was deflected just wide. England showed silky skill to weave a way into a scoring opportunity but wide went the effort. After fifty-three minutes England had another chance, but her half-volley disappeared over the bar after Smith's cross. Bright then had a low effort which the keeper parried low to her right who then saved Victoria Williams' header from the resulting corner kick.

Davies made her finest save of the tie at the other end from the resulting counter attack, substitute Emma Mitchell was sent through one-on-one, but Davies narrowed the opportunity and denied the shot. But she couldn't do much with Ellen White's shot five minutes later. The penultimate goal was then scored by Cater with eighteen minutes from time.


Arsenal could have had six much sooner if it wasn't for the woodwork. Mitchell rounded Davies but was denied by the post, Carter's attempt in the aftermath was too denied by the left-hand post. But Houghton soon added the sixth goal of the night from a deflected set-piece.


Arsenal harried for a magnificent seven. Kim Little maneuvered a majestic run but the long-range shot was spectacularly denied by Doncaster's Davies.Little's corner then fell to Freda Ayisi but her chance was cleared off the line.

Doncaster still challenged for a consolation goal. Naomi Chadwick's cross found England who turned the defender, but who's right-footed shot was sent just wide of the right hand post, as The Belles went a fourth consecutive game without scoring as they suffered their third consecutive defeat.

Doncaster Team: Nicola Davies, Lyndsey Cunningham, Leandra Little, Kasia Lipka, Sue Smith, Katie Brusell, Millie Bright, Victoria Williams, Ashleigh Mills, Lauren Cresswell, Bethany England. Subs: Emma Higgins, Naomi Chadwick, Julie Melrose, Jemma Purfield, Danni Cox, Rhiannon Roberts. Emma Johnson

Arsenal Team: Emma Byrne, Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty, Liara Grant, Jordon Nobbs, Rachel Yankey, Gemma Davison, Danielle Carter, Kim Little, Katie Chapman, Alex Scott, Subs: Yvonne Tracy, Ellen White, Emma Mitchell, Caroline Weir, Freda Ayisi, Cherie Rowlands.

We Are The Champions: And that’s Only the Beginning

The 27^th April will go down in Doncaster Rovers folklore, not only did it secure the club their forth promotion in ten years, but in dramatic style in which they were staring defeat and the subsequent play-offs in the face, won the League One title in the most dramatic of twenty seconds. 

Rovers needed a draw to clinch promotion to the second tier after just a one year absence, and as added time started they were on course to achieve it with the scoreline 0-0 against Brentford.

But as the full time whilst sounded at then-league leaders Bournemouth’s match with Tranmere ending goalless, Michael Oliver made the decision to point to the penalty spot at Griffin Park’s tie in Brentford’s favour.

The penalty was undoubtedly dubious, with several news outlets reporting different things- the football league show declared it Jamie McCombe’s handball, yet the BBC’s website report suggested it was a foul by Dean Furman. You can probably work out from this confusion; the decision was far from clear-cut.

Yet, defeat for Doncaster would have sent the side crashing into the play-offs, a Brentford victory would have sent them promoted in their place. So the referee would have needed to be certain with his call.

But it was enormous pressure for the spot-kick. Undoubtedly newspaper headlines and a £6million financial reward would be the prize for promotion and it was Marcello Trotta that fancied writing his name in the history books, much to the annoyance of regular taker Kevin O’Connor.

Trotta stepped up and went for power. Sullivan was beaten as he dived to his right, but the ball crashed against the crossbar. A desperate scramble in the penalty area followed and Doncaster’s Paul Quinn pumped the ball upfield. Substitute Billy Paynter received the ball with the whole field in front of him completely empty of Brentford defenders. He sprinted from the halfway line into the penalty area, before squaring the ball to the far-post where Doncaster’s James Coppinger slotted the ball into the net. Incredible. 

And with that Doncaster were champions, seconds after being down-and-out.

Bournemouth fans demanded “We Want Our Trophy Out” at Prenton Park, completely unaware what had happened in West London as Rovers completed a fine season with the trophy they undoubtedly deserved.

Rovers fans barely had time to get their breath back when Brian Flynn made the decision to move into a Director of Football role with the club. This left the manager’s position vacant for the second time in four months, with Flynn (formerly a scout at Rovers) had succeeded Dean Saunders who left for Wolves.

Saunders’ move in hindsight was a mistake. As his old Rovers side won promotion to the Championship, Wolves were relegated from it. Many expected Saunders to be prepared to admit to his mistake, as he was sacked at Molineux, but he refused to reapply for his old role, and Rovers entered a thorough application programme.

Considering Doncaster were playing in the Conference in 2003, there were some very high-profile names linked with the club, many with Premier League experience, showing how far the South Yorkshire side has come in a short space of time. Just last season Neil Warnock and Owen Coyle were managing with Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers respectively in the Premiership, yet suddenly the pairing were both 10/1 for the Keepmoat Stadium vacancy. Former Sunderland manager Terry Butcher admitted an interest, whilst Simon Grayson and Kenny Jackett were low odds during the process after over achieving in the Championship with clubs of similar size of Doncaster at Blackpool and Milwall.

But as the weeks passed by, two major candidates emerged. Paul Dickov and Michael Appleton are believed to have gone head-to-head for the final weekend, after Stuart McCall and Craig Levein reportedly completed the shortlist. Dickov was odds-on favourite from an early stage, and the media were unsurprised when he eventually won the race. However, the fans weren’t as convinced - unlike the press - until the last moments, when odds-on favourites in previous vacancies were rarely appointed by Rovers chairman John Ryan; such as Mark Robins who claimed this position early on in the season before Flynn was appointed.

Dickov, a former Manchester City striker, excited the Rovers hierarchy with his strong links to several sides including the 2012 Premier League champions, and arrives with energy and a both a long-term and short-term plan.

The Scot spoke passionately about unearthing quality from the Rovers academy in the longer term and utilising his contracts to add immediate short-term quality in Donny’s survival fight next season. He was also incredibly enthusiastic and optimistic, stating: “I don’t want to go into the Championship with the expectation of staying in the division. I want to raise the bar… why can’t we be pushing for the top half of the table?”

This was met with favourable support from the Rovers supporters. Of 221 supporters surveyed on the club’s VSC forum, just six were critical, with most backing another careful, shrewd decision from the board which has churned success over the last decade.

Dickov has a huge task on his back though. The club has very few Championship-quality players with 5 key signings targeted by John Ryan. Rovers lack quality down the side of the team, most notably with the absence of a first choice goalkeeper following the departure of Gary Woods. Rovers too are very weak in central midfield following the expiring of Dean Furman and John Lundstram’s loan spells, whilst striker Iain Hume has also returned to Preston North End.

The football league releases it fixtures on the 19^th June and despite Dickov’s great optimism the club are 100/1 for a second successive title.

Doncaster Vacancy

"Picture the scene; David Cotterill's stunning goal had given us (Doncaster Rovers) a 1-0 win over Colchester, to send us joint-top of League One. I looked ahead to this meeting, thinking it was going to be a breeze..." John Ryan opened the Rovers Fans Forum with, on Monday evening to an abundance of laughter. But the following forty-eight hours showed, once again, that you can never be sure of anything in football.

When Dean Saunders was appointed manager of Doncaster in September 2011, he was immediately under the cosh. He had replaced Rovers' most successful manager in Sean O'Driscoll, despite having no Football League management expierence. He was forced to work with Willie McKay who's signings divided a dressing already depressed from a huge slump in form, linked with the injury crisis of the previous Spring. Signings like El-Hadji Diouf and Pascal Chimbonda, often under-performed throughout the campaign, as Rovers were relegated following a 4-3 defeat at home to Portsmouth.

With McKay out of the door following relegation with the vast majority of Rovers' first team squad. Diouf, Chimbonda, Beye, Stock, O'Connor and George Friend all departed as Saunders had a task to build a squad from scratch. Of the players still remaining only Martin Woods, Paul Keegan, Tommy Spurr, Kyle Bennett, Chris Brown Gary Woods and James Coppinger had featured for the club prior to Saunders' arrival. Yet with signings such as Cotterill, Rob Jones, Jamie McCombe, Paul Quinn, James Harper, David Syers, Billy Paynter and loanee Iain Hume they had drastically reduced the wage bill, but still recorded a 3-0 away win at Walsall on the opening day; and that was just the start.

Saunders leaves Rovers joint-top of League One and have not suffered an away defeat in eleven matches, allowing for a club record to be beaten if the club avoides defeat post-Saunders at Stevenage on Saturday.

Saunders was somewhat a surprise choice for the Wolverhampton board given his previous brief spell in the Championship, accumulating in the clubs' relegation. But it shows how successful the club has been this season, and Rovers' fans will understand the lure of such a large club would be difficult to turn down.

Rovers must now find themselves a new manager. Chairman John Ryan stated their had been around 50 applicants by Monday Evening, a figure which has surely increased in the days since. Of those 50 he declared "8-10 are first-class". He recalled how when Rovers were relegated from the Football League 15-years-ago, he had to beg a manager to come to Belle Vue.

But in a shiny new home, with average attendances over x5 larger and a potential promotion on the cards for any manager who maintains momentum for a couple of months, it's not difficult to understand why the large amounts of interest in the position.

Here are the contenders (odds as 12:31, 10th Jan 2013):

Mark Robins - 1/3 (StanJames)

A former manager at Rotherham and Barnsley where expectations were met whilst playing attractive football, Robins is now rebuilding Coventry City after a difficult start to the season both on and off the pitch. A dire financial situation at the Ricoh may tempt him to move on, aswell as a South Yorkshire past. However, following hiring of managers who the fans had barely heard of such as Dean Saunders and Sean O'Driscoll, any appointment of Robins would surely be too mainstream for John Ryan's eager-eye? However like SO'D a couple of weeks prior to managerial change, the managers' side beat Rovers convincingly in the League. O'Driscoll's Bournemouth beat Penney's Rovers 5-0 at Dean Court in 2006, whilst Robins' Coventry hit Saunders' high-flyers for four in December 2012.

Paul Dickov - 5/1 (BetVictor)



The former striker is currently managing Oldham amongst a sea of uncertainty. Athletic are currently battling relegation at the foot of League One, but having just lost his backgroom staff, Dickov may too be threatened and the opportunity at Doncaster may catch the eye for the young coach.

Steve Lomas - 9/1 (StanJames)

A relatively unknown manager, Lomas took St Johnstone into the Europa League last season after a good finish, building on the work done by Derek McInnes and Owen Coyle in Perth. Linked with Crystal Palace, Burley and Bournemouth this season, Lomas may be tempted into management in England like his predecessors. His relatively unknown persona to Rovers fans is most likely of the leading candidates to fit John Ryans "who's he, then?" choice.

Owen Coyle - 12/1 (StanJames)

Despite success at Burley, Coyle was relegated with Bolton from the Premier League last season. He may be looking at a Championship club of similar size to Burnley, and Rovers could be six months away from being just that, with the opportunity of a promotion on the way. I suspect Coyle would hold out for an established Championship side however, and his wage demands would not fit with Rovers' offerings.

Glynn Snodin - 12/1 (StanJames)

Regarded as one of the best assistant managers in the game, former Rovers skipper Glynn admitted an interest in the Doncaster managers job on Radio Sheffield last night admitting the club is very close to his heart. Hired by John Ryan as assistant manager to brother Ian in 1998, he went on to Charlton, Southampton, West Ham, Leeds and Northern Ireland. He is currently first-team coach at Huddersfield Town.

Brian Flynn - 20/1 (StanJames)

When Glynn departed Rovers in 1985, Brian Flynn arrived at Belle Vue and shortly after became club captain. Following a spell as scout since the summer, the former Wales and Wrexham manager was installed as caretaker manager following Dean Saunders' exit. Approaching from within would maintain momentum aswell as having respect from the current squad aswell as plenty of expierence. Therefore Flynn would be my choice as the next Rovers manager.

The Season To Forget

Eleven years as a season ticket holder. Three promotions; One league title; One National Cup Win; One League Cup Quarter Final; Two Sheffield Cups; One ‘Great Escape’; Two very successful managers; One Willie McKay, and now, one imminent relegation.

The writing’s been on the wall for a while. Rovers first fell into the drop zone on the 16^th August, and bar two weeks at the start of October have remained there ever since.

The season did change in September however, despite similar results regularly since. Sean O’Driscoll, who established the club in the Championship after winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and League One play-off final, was dismissed with a club on the slide.

No doubt a huge injury crisis that swamped the club last season played it’s part, even as players became fit, form and confidence remained unchangeable, and ‘King Sean’ was dismissed on the 23^rd September, just days after the owner, John Ryan has hailed him ‘the best manager in the Championship’. He didn’t have many fans on his back- with the exception of those fans ‘who wouldn’t be satisfied if we won the European Cup’ (he later proclaimed). But with his earlier statement, it begs the question, was it a dramatic U-turn, or was his hands forced, by difficult directors, who later left the club.

What happened next was equally astounding. Before proven successors could be linked, presumably the likes of Paul Ince and Roy Keane would have been linked, both up-and-coming managers with a fight, and a proven instant impact in the football league in recent years. Who knows what would have happened if the directors had opted for this path. Instead a quite different approach was taken, and the same news bulletin that announced SO’D’s sacking declared Dean Saunders had abandoned Wrexham’s title challenge, to take up a challenge at the opposite end of the table, three tiers higher.

How quickly Saunders was appointed poses suspicious, as does why a man with no football league managerial experience was handed the role at a club desperate for results. Yes, it was a clear, decisive decision that had been made to benefit the club, but was there surely no tapping up? Could a deal have been really done that soon? I trust the club’s judgement as I always have.

Saunders was no stranger to relegation battles, as no fewer than eight times he faced the dreaded drop during his illustrious career, which also saw him feature for Liverpool during the 1990s.

Things started off brightly, Rovers collected seven points from the first three games with impressive wins over Crystal Palace and Peterborough along with a draw with Hull, but things turned ugly when Sky Sports and Leeds United came to town.

Things had changed. It wasn’t just a case of the new manager’s ‘honeymoon period’ was over. It was more than that. Rovers, regarded by many, as a team with very limited finance, had somehow been able to start an England International, in the form of Chris Kirkland, and French International Pascal Chimbonda, famously regarded as a disruptive influence on the bench. That week was the start of the Willie McKay era. That week, many months ago, back in October, was the week the relegated Rovers. As for the Leeds match, the club were embarrassed. They were destroyed 3-0.

That was the start of a bad run of form. A 2-1 defeat to Blackpool, 3-1 to Portsmouth, a 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table Coventry City, 3-1 against Middlesbrough, 2-0 at Barnsley, 0-0 with Watford, 3-2 at Millwall were results that followed, only with a rare victory over Ipswich the only glimmer of hope during the autumn.

During this spell results dwindled, from 12,000 down to 8,300. But importantly, there was one more significant viewer. Willie McKay.

His wikipedia, openly states Mr McKay (an ironic contrast to the Porridge character of the same name) as a criminal. Banned by the FA in 2008 for his involvement in the transfer of Benjani. McKay arrived at Doncaster with the ambition to ‘make serious money’ out of the club, through the form of player progression, whilst clearly alienated the club’s supporters.

Under normal circumstances, signings such as El-Hadji Diouf, who made his debut against Middlesbrough on November 1^st may have been praised by supporters, but McKays crazy intention to use our beloved club for his savage, selfish ambitions, as a stepping-stone was met with justified anger. No fewer than an incredible seventeen loans and free transfer have been made by McKay. These clearly disrupted team spirit, with players such as Chimbonda also being played when a better player (James O’Connor) was available. A clear division between the old guard and the egos were formed. Diouf often refused to pass too, stopping Rovers from capitalising on fantastic opportunities.

Prize-asset Billy Sharp was sold, Wales midfielder Brian Stock got injured, John Oster hit a poor run of form and was banished to the bench, all perhaps contributed to a miserable season, but McKay’s scheming is the undoubtedly factor. Having said that, had Habib Beye not formed a magnificent partnership with Sam Hird, the club would have conceded for fun, and presumably been relegated much earlier. This rare discovery was perhaps the highlight of a poor season. We also seemed to improve against higher placed teams, as the experienced Premiership superstars, ouced Southampton and Leicester in December and holding West Ham at Upton Park, a stark contrast to being demolished away at Watford, against Notts County in the cup, and at home to Millwall, the latter a 3-0 thrashing.

Dean Saunders was unfortunate enough to be stuck in the middle. With the lack of job security a managers job was difficult at the best of times, but with a desperate need of a goalscorer and a hard-tackling defensive midfielder, and due to the position of McKay being landed with half a dozen target man unaccustomed to English football instead, he has my dearest sympathy, and I’ve seen enough quality from the Welshman that I’d like to see him stick around. His tactics are often shrewd, his substations (I highlight the West Ham away match as an example) are good. The trouble is, he’s let down by those ‘too big for the club egos’ that show much more willingness to party in Bournemouth instead of produce the goods against Millwall and Barnsley, and as a fan of a club, I find these menaces a disgrace to football, especially my club.

Like I say, I hope Dean Saunders can show more consistency, and be allowed to sign his own players in the positions that need strengthening. We can bounce back, but the next few months are crucial.

Rovers Till I Die.

One Nasty Experiment: An Incredibly Risky Solution Downgrading The Ethics Of A Club

The sacking of Sean O’Driscoll caused uproar in Doncaster. ‘Noisy’ was highly regarded in bustling South Yorkshire town, as the club’s greatest ever manager. In his first season he guided Rovers to success at the Millennium Stadium in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The following campaign the club won promotion to the Championship, via an illustrious play-off final victory at Wembley, when they impeccably beat the much-fancied Leeds United by a goal to nil.

O’Driscoll then kept the limited-resourced club in the division, performing the miracle of the great escape in 2008-09, despite sitting bottom at Christmas. The red and white wizards also mounted a promotion campaign in 2009-10, but faded their form faded towards the end of the season.

But, disaster struck in November 2010, with the club 7^th in the Championship. The squad was swamped with a mammoth injury crisis, which they never recovered from, and with three wins in the whole of 2011, the former-Bournemouth manager was expelled from the Doncaster hot seat on 23^rd September.

The sacking caused displeasure to say the least amongst the Doncaster fan base, with the majority of supports in awe of their quiet messiah. There were no ‘O’Driscoll Out’ calls at matches, but the man, who was also publicly backed by his chairman, John Ryan, just a handful of days earlier

What came of even more a surprise was the arrival of his immediate successor. Wrexham manager Dean Saunders was appointed- not on a caretaker basis- but on three-year deal, at the time of the appointment, the Welsh club sat behind Gateshead in the Conference, three tiers below his new side.

But Rovers aren’t a club with a fan base capable of jumping on the ‘Sack the board’ bandwagon, after John Ryan saved the club from the verge of bankruptcy before his tenure lead to two Conference Cups, Promotion from The Conference and From League One through the play-offs, The Division Three Title at the first attempt, The Carling Cup Quarter-Finals, The JPT and establishing the club in the Second Tier of English Football in just a 13-year stint. The fans remain greatful for these honours under Ian Snodin, Dave Penney and O’Driscoll (along with the less successful Steve Wignall).

The unrest was temporarily forgotten however with wins over Crystal Palace and Peterborough, and a draw with Hull in Saunders’ first three games. But, could this prove to be just a honeymoon period, as the club was then hammered by Leeds United on live television and also suffered defeat at the hands of Blackpool and Portsmouth following the international break.

There was also another factor that eased the doubters following “Deano’s” arrival. Saunders suddenly appeared capable of attracting many high-profile names to the club. El-Hadji Diouf was immediately linked as was former Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra. Then out of the club confirmed the signings of Pascal Chimbonda, Henrita Ilunga and finally the loan of England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to the Keepmoat Stadium. How could a club whose record transfer in 2009 was the tiny £300,000 deal that brought Matthew Mills from Manchester City, suddenly be able to afford the wages of such established Premier League and La Liga stars?

The answer to this question was revealed on Thursday, with the sceptics again coming out in force to criticise a scheme that could easily result in the demise of the club quicker than their turn in fortune since the revival in the late 90’s.

As on Thursday, the ‘Director of Football’ role, which has created huge controversy before steered its ugly head again, as football agent Willie McKay was appointed Doncaster Rovers’ transfer dealer, with any signings the club makes to be going through him, with manager (or should that be ‘Head Coach’?) Dean Saunders having the potential to veto.

It’s unclear how long this deal has been in the pipeline, however it is unlikely the philosophical O’Driscoll would have agreed to a great lack of freedom that the new regime limits the ‘Head Coach’ or ‘Manager’ of.

An McKay’s interview with the Daily Mail, he also made some unfriendly statements about the club’s supporters, potentially causing unrest with the fans at such an early stage, such as ‘My valuation of Donny was nothing. They have no fan base and everyone in Doncaster supports Leeds, Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday, who can all get 30,000 in their stadiums.’ Although he may be right in hinting the club has a significantly less fan base than its Yorkshire rivals, I am aware from my experiences in the Doncaster school system that we are by far the most supported team in the town compared with others, with probably the unmentioned Manchester United sitting 2^nd. The problem with the people of Doncaster is many people in the district do not like football, perhaps caused by the embarrassment caused by the team unattractive history in the forth division during the 80’s and 90’s. Calling a club that has achieved so much in their recent history ‘nothing’ is a huge stab at the ambitious club.

McKay’s plan will see the club attempt to reduce the wage bill- therefore promote uncertainty on the side’s highest earning current stars. The likes of Billy Sharp, John Oster and Brian Stock apparently have no future at the club under the new regime. Which considering the nearest transfer window is three months away how will that act towards motivation of such individuals?

Instead of these long-term solutions the club will opt for quick fixes ranging from high-profile free agents and loans, which has seen the club linked from anyone from Diarra to Michael Owen to Carlos Tevez in recent weeks. Through the new agent-system, the club will attempt to put players in the shop window. Obviously downsides to this is everyone playing for themselves rather than as a team, and a lack of team spirit and gelling which will make Dean Saunders’ position practically impossible. The style of play cannot be perfected to one concentrated in training sessions over a long period of time, but must be one people can fit into automatically. This is obviously one opposition managers can stop with ease. How does that boost results for a team deep in the relegation battle?

Perhaps it will boost attendances with famous, international names joining the club. But I think most fans prefer to see winning games, supporting a group ethic that they can be proud of; not a bunch of arrogant individuals who believe they are bigger than the club and will leave at the first opportunity. The stars linked also have attitude problems, which will also create problems within the patient culture of the club. The attendances will dwindle again if the results do not match the names on the team sheet.

For me this is a recipe for disaster, and if the result is what I’m expecting. It won’t be the stars ‘of Lorient’ at the Keepmoat Stadium next season, but our own unwanted internationals gracing the turf at L. Orient in League One in 2012.

McKay out.

A slide of the times?

Written 23rd May-2nd June

As the final day of the Premier League once again adds a nervous twist, the tightest relegation scramble in recent history saw Blackburn, Wigan and Wolves, all with their stories of worry throughout the season, before pride prevailed with effective performances and triumph on survival Sunday.

It was not so happy a story at White Heart Lane or Old Trafford for the visiting clubs. West Ham’s sorrow had already been drained, thus their horrendous horror show at home to Sunderland is irrelevant in many senses. It merely ruled Kevin Keen, surely, out of the running to become the new permanent manager at Upton Park. Consequently the biggest question in the country was not a lot to do with the Hammers, but who would join the London club in the Championship. The subjects were unfortunately Blackpool and Birmingham who would subsequently suffer the pains of Millwall, Barnsley and Doncaster next term.

On December 31^st, Blackpool sat in a very comfortable 9^th in the Premier League, with games in hand on all of their opponents, at that point it looked like the Seasiders were more destined for the likes of sunny skies of Portugal and Cyprus in the Europa League, than the West Yorkshire clouds of Huddersfield and Leeds in the Championship. The club had picked up 25 points from their opening 17 games at that point. They went on to claim just 14 more, from their final 21 matches, finishing rocked in 19^th place on 39 points.

Birmingham on-the-other-hand did make it to Europe after beating Arsenal at Wembley on 27^th February. However a fear of relegation had been a threat rather than a certainty for most of the season, as they spent much of the campaign outside the bottom three. However injuries came at a cost, and one win in the clubs last eight games saw the club slip below Wigan and Wolves and into the Championship. And thus, the Championship beckons.

The English top flight, however is not the only league with freefall on the cards, as for Birmingham and Blackpool a trip to Doncaster is due, who themselves saw a drop from 14^th to 21^st since the turn of the year, coupled with just three wins against Scunthorpe, Derby and Burley as the worst injury crisis imaginable hit the South Yorkshire club.

(League Position at the end of each month)

The low point of Rovers’ season was a 6-0 drubbing to Ipswich. The Reds fielded a severely under-strength team, which included a rookie goalkeeper, no established centre backs, a defender in midfield, the absence of their skipper and no fit centre forwards. Perhaps it should have been anticipated that the score line was to be as atrocious as it was.

It could be argued that the 2010-11 season has been on the cards for numerous years, as the club’s strength in depth has been a concern ever since Rovers’ Wembley triumph in 2008, but never has it been exploited to this great a degree.

For me, however, the problem arose last summer. I took the trip to Blackpool in April 2010, with Rovers still having a slim chance of entering the Play-offs. Rovers welcomed back Paul Heffernan who returned from his loan spell at Bristol Rovers. He had only returned to the club the previous morning, but it showed the lack of strength in depth in strikers over a year ago. Blackpool was victorious by two goals to nil, and went on to win promotion. Rovers then released Heffs and Lewis Guy, who joined League One clubs which left Rovers with an ageing James Hayter and injury prone Steve Brooker as the only established strikers at the club.

The two most defining moments of the season arguably happened last summer, as Jason Shackell signed for Barnsley ahead of Rovers, creating a void at centre half that was never properly filled. Also the record signing of Billy Sharp from Sheffield United, although adding to the worryingly low list of strikers, meant that the club had effectively spent its transfer budget.

During the summer of 2009, Rovers had sold two items instrumental to their promotion to the Championship and remaining there in their first full campaign. Richie Wellens departed for Leicester City, and Matthew Mills exited south to Reading. Rovers filled these voids by signing John Oster on a free transfer following his release from Crystal Palace and Shackell on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both signings were mammoth successes, as the club drove from relegation candidates in their first season to Play-off contenders the next.

Shackell subsequently opted to move to Barnsley last May, and Rovers were forced to shift their attention to a host of replacements. They signed Shelton Martis, Wayne Thomas and George Friend.

At full strength Rovers are a decent acquisition. This was proved when the club’s early season form took them to what looked originally like play-off contention. Rovers’ fans did have their concerns though; in particular George Friend looked a long way off the pace at left back and was subsequently dropped. James Chambers remained sidelined throughout the season, bar unsuccessful spell in the side in January, as Rovers opted to sign Joseph Mills on loan to fill the void, first in October before returning in January.

Rovers were in fact 7^th when they drew with to-be-promoted Swansea City on 20^th November, they went on to record just four more victories in the entire campaign, of which only Derby County were beaten elsewhere than the Keepmoat Stadium. However the start was also less than perfect, with the wins prior to this point merely coming over the three relegated sides, along with Portsmouth and Hull who were still in disarray following relegation from the Premier League, just adding to the small pride of beating Premiership-bound Norwich and Millwall on South Yorkshire turf.

The defensive crisis that followed after Christmas staggers belief. As Thomas and Martis battled with injuries following the victory over Scunthorpe on January 1^st, Rovers switched their attentions to signing Dennis Souza and Matt Killagallon, who were both reported as established championship defenders. Rovers failed to keep a clean sheet with Killgallon in the side as they slumped to 16^th in the Championship table prior to the Burnley tie on 1^st February, as the Middlesbrough defender formed an unstable partnership with Adam Lockwood.

Rovers kept three clean sheets following 2^nd January, at home to Burnley (O’Connor, Hird, Friend, Chambers), away at Nottingham Forest (Martis, Hird, Friend, Mills) and at home to Crystal Palace (Dumbuya, Thomas, Friend, O’Connor). Therefore, as you can see, to a certain extent the revival of George Friend at the heart of Doncaster’s defence paid dividends, with Sam Hird also a key player on occasion as the young defender staked a claim for first team pride when often hope was a lost cause.

It’s hard to judge whether, therefore it was the lack of the settled team or the quality of the team that stumbled upon. I think both need to be blamed unfortunately targeted.

As Rovers therefore switch their attentions to the future the strength in depth of the squad has been thoroughly tested and questioned, and not just in defence.

Rovers’ record in the absence of Billy Sharp is atrocious, with Dean Sheils often deputising. With Rovers claiming only two wins in the record-signing’s absence. Sheils is supposed to be an international footballer, however inadequate displays and this appalling record as the former-Hibernian star has tarnished, unrecognisable undoubtedly to his former followers.

Sharp’s record, does go to show exactly why Ipswich Town made such a substantial bid to lure the former-Sheffield United forward to Portman Road.

It therefore remains key for Rovers, perhaps more than usual this year, that any deadwood is removed from the club, but key, quality players remain, while new players are purchased to push the club back towards the Play-off places & the promises of the Premier League.