It is that time of the year where everybody talks in length about their team’s season and the one ahead. But I’m going to keep it fairly brief!
Doncaster Rovers had a terrific start to the season and were in play-off contention early in the New Year, but a terrible second half meant Rovers were sucked into a relegation battle.
Although it was more nervy than anyone would have liked, the only thing that matters is that Donny got over the finishing line without having to win any of their final 12 games.
But we’ll start again from scratch in 2011-12. Neither Rovers, Palace nor Derby got to the coveted 50-point mark and all three could (maybe should) have gone down. Scunthorpe, Sheffield United and Preston each getting 42 points is, frankly, awful.
Many viewed finishing 21st as a disappointment but I said at the start of the year I’d take fourth-bottom and O’Driscoll to still be at the helm. My attitude is always to get to 50 points and go from there. We got 48 this term; if we don’t register 50 this time, we can’t expect another reprieve.
Although I would have loved to have seen us finish higher, being in the Championship for a fourth consecutive season should not be taken for granted. Just look at what happened to the Blades, who, at £12m, had a far bigger wage budget than ourselves.
A lot of our problems came down to injuries and O’Driscoll struggled to put a squad out at times. However, you have to look at factors that can be controlled.
Rovers were leaky at the back and although that stems from the back five as a collective, Doncaster badly lacked a commanding centre half in the mould of Matt Mills, Jason Shackell and Elliot Ward.
George Friend had a successful conversion from left back but Shelton Martis wasn’t available enough and signings Matt Kilgallon, Wayne Thomas and Dennis Souza did not nail down a place. All three have moved on.
In Jimmy O’Connor, Muzzy Dumbuya, (potentially) Joe Mills and Friend (who could play left back if needed), the full back positions are sorted. Even if Martis comes back fully fit and firing, I’d like to see another CB to come in to challenge for the position.
Elsewhere, the team coped without Brian Stock for long periods but struggled for goals whenever Billy Sharp and James Hayter weren’t around and lacked creativity if James Coppinger was out. Ryan Mason, Franck Moussa and Jason Euell were excellent loan signings – but will any of them return?
With Martin Woods barely playing a game, he will be like the proverbial new signing, so we are covered in central areas if Stock is out long-term like suggested. The under-rated Simon Gillett is an ideal partner for Woods while John Oster and Mark Wilson are good players.
So my hopes for this term? My Championship philosophy is unchanged; every point is precious, fourth-bottom is fine and O’Driscoll is the right man for the job.
