Ferguson exit; where are Rovers now?
Darren Ferguson’s departure from Doncaster Rovers on Monday evening received indifference from most quarters.
While foreign supporters wave white handkerchiefs as an expression of disgust, no one in South Yorkshire, it seemed, was reaching to mop away the tears for the outgoing boss who had taken Rovers sideways, at best, and then left midway through the first screening of this year’s Love Island.
That may seem harsh, but the consensus that Rovers players were “on the beach” towards the end of the season was inescapable. Anyone who thinks differently – particularly when a side goes five games without scoring - has their heads buried in the sand.
Ferguson arrived a dozen games in to the ill-fated 15/16 season and attempted to pick up compatriot Paul Dickov’s tatty rag of a squad. It was to get worse before it got better. Players who were past their best and on big money were not ideal ingredients to avoid a second relegation in three seasons.
Nonetheless, that’s what materialised. Ferguson’s stubbornness and unwillingness to revert to ‘no risk’ football proved his undoing – and he admitted as much.
By leaving now, he has admitted clear irrevocable differences with a board who’ll want to cut their cloth accordingly. Both are ambitious and want to be in the Championship. What is now apparent is the clash between the two in how best to plot a promotion charge.
Ferguson won promotion and an instant return to the third tier in 2017. This season though never offered up a relegation battle thankfully, nor a realistic shot at the play-offs as Doncaster ambled to consolidation.
He exits the Keepmoat Stadium having assembled a young and capable squad. They were solid, but far from spectacular, failing to score on no less than twenty separate occasions.
His first two seasons at the helm provided football – bad and good (in that order) – to talk about. His final season provided anything but.
Hankies will remain decidedly unfurled but at least Doncaster have a blank canvas to work from – thank you, Darren.
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| Fergie's time is up |
That may seem harsh, but the consensus that Rovers players were “on the beach” towards the end of the season was inescapable. Anyone who thinks differently – particularly when a side goes five games without scoring - has their heads buried in the sand.
Ferguson arrived a dozen games in to the ill-fated 15/16 season and attempted to pick up compatriot Paul Dickov’s tatty rag of a squad. It was to get worse before it got better. Players who were past their best and on big money were not ideal ingredients to avoid a second relegation in three seasons.
Nonetheless, that’s what materialised. Ferguson’s stubbornness and unwillingness to revert to ‘no risk’ football proved his undoing – and he admitted as much.
By leaving now, he has admitted clear irrevocable differences with a board who’ll want to cut their cloth accordingly. Both are ambitious and want to be in the Championship. What is now apparent is the clash between the two in how best to plot a promotion charge.
Ferguson won promotion and an instant return to the third tier in 2017. This season though never offered up a relegation battle thankfully, nor a realistic shot at the play-offs as Doncaster ambled to consolidation.
He exits the Keepmoat Stadium having assembled a young and capable squad. They were solid, but far from spectacular, failing to score on no less than twenty separate occasions.
His first two seasons at the helm provided football – bad and good (in that order) – to talk about. His final season provided anything but.
Hankies will remain decidedly unfurled but at least Doncaster have a blank canvas to work from – thank you, Darren.
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