Football Season Guide

Despite being relegated from League One at the end of the 2015/16 season, Doncaster decided to stick with Darren Ferguson, who rewarded their faith in him by guiding the Vikings to promotion at the first time of asking. The Rovers finished third, two points below champions Portsmouth, and with a comfortable gap between themselves and the play-off places. Doncaster have frequently been in the Championship since the turn of the century and, while their ultimate goal will be to return to the second tier, they enter the upcoming season with their prime intention being to re-restablish themselves as a solid League One club. They have managed to keep the core of their squad together, with Paul Keegan being the only player that featured regularly to leave. At the same time, they have not signed proven League One quality, instead opting to bring in promising youth players, obviously hoping to develop them into League One stars. Ferguson certainly won't be worried with the lack of signings with previous experience in the division, given that the squad he had last season already contained numerous proven League One players. A part of the reason for Rovers' relegation two seasons ago was certainly that Ferguson tried to get the side to adapt an attacking philosophy which was in stark contrast with his preferred attacking style. However, when Doncaster played his brand of football last time around they scored more goals than any other side in League Two, but also conceded more than most sides inside the top half. Indeed, Ferguson is known for liking his sides to play open football and the Vikings are likely to be a rather entertaining side at League One level as well. Given that not many sides who win automatic promotion to League One go down straight away nowadays and that they have an experienced manager and squad, Doncaster will fancy their chances of having a successful season.