Football Season Guide

Doncaster Rovers will be hoping they have finally made the right managerial appointment in Grant McCann. The Yorkshire club have been on a downward spiral from the moment Darren Moore left for Sheffield Wednesday in March 2021. Relegation followed under Richie Wellens and Gary McSheffrey and they recorded their worst EFL finish in twenty years under Danny Schofield last season. McCann replaced Schofield just days after the season ended and has started work on improving a bloated squad, lacking in both character and quality. There is still some dead wood to shift and it could take two to three windows to complete the task. It’s unlikely any of those that have already left will be missed. Ten players have already been signed up for the new campaign. Wing-back Jamie Sterry was one of relegated Hartlepool United better performers and will reform his partnership with winger Luke Molyneux down the right. Ian Lawlor returns for his second spell between the sticks for Rovers and will certainly be more reliable than the erratic Jonathan Mitchell. A central defensive partnership of new signing Richard Wood and Tom Anderson would be one of the most experienced in the entire EFL, whilst striker Joe Ironside will be looking to form a potent partnership with George Miller having already been promoted from League Two with Cambridge United in 2021. Getting the best out of the players he has inherited and retained will be one of McCann’s priorities. He will need time to turn things around but he certainly has the knowledge and experience to do so.