Is this Copps speaking or ...

[since-1969]

He says....  Don’t get carried away, don’t get frustrated and don’t get disappointed' - James Coppinger on tempering expectation levels at Doncaster Rovers .

James Coppinger feels there are major parallels between this season for Doncaster Rovers and their first campaign back in League One two years ago. Rovers were a work in progress following promotion from League Two under Darren Ferguson with many players picking up their first real experience in the third tier.

With the youthful nature of the current squad, Coppinger sees plenty of similarities between the two seasons.

And for that reason he feels expectations should be tempered of what Rovers should be achieving this term.

It is where we’re at - there’s no getting away from that if you look at the team, the squad, the bench, it’s where we are as a club,” the veteran said.

“It’s almost like you need to set the expectation levels, not a bit lower, but being more realistic with what we’ve got and what we’re capable of.

“I think we were exceeding expectations at the beginning of the season with the way that we were playing and the way things were going.

“It started to plateau out a bit and then it became about not getting carried away, keeping confidence high and keeping people believing in what we’re doing and things would come.
Don’t get carried away, don’t get frustrated and don’t get disappointed.

“We have been playing one some really good football and we’ve got some really good players so focus on that sort of stuff.”

Coppinger – who turns 39 on Saturday – says it is important that younger players are encouraged through their learning and that is where there is the necessity for realistic expectations.

“There are things as a senior professional that you’re taught or learn as you progress through your career,” he said.

We’ve got a lot of lads there who are learning.

“It’s important not to get carried away or frustrated and help them out.

“It’s ruthless. It’s a different pressure to academy football because it means so much more.

“You have to learn and not get spooked by things that are going on.

But at the same time as a club we don’t want to get carried away about doing this or not doing that.

“It’s about working together for the bigger picture.”


I get the impression that he’s trying to say that the club my not be looking for promotion?

[Bollinger]

Just a senior pro telling it as he sees it...

I remember Alan Warboys saying the same thing in Bremner's second season when they went on a run where they could do no wrong. He reckoned everything that could go right was going their way and that it wouldn't last but it'd all go towards putting them in a good place for the following season. And he was absolutely spot on. They fell away but went up in 80/81. But do you think for a minute he/they weren't going out to win every game and didn't want to get promoted in 79/80?

[Campsall rover]

You never NOT look for promotion if the opportunity is there.

He is just saying to me ‘not to expect it’ 

[since-1969]

You never NOT look for promotion if the opportunity is there.

He is just saying to me ‘not to expect it’

What about last season or did we just let it slip away . Missed penalties from senior players and a bad goal keeping error from one of the better keepers in L1 even this season . 

[Bollinger]

Since you're insinuating that DRFC players threw it, can we assume you've already got yourself a solicitor lined up?

[Campsall rover]

You never NOT look for promotion if the opportunity is there.

He is just saying to me ‘not to expect it’

What about last season or did we just let it slip away . Missed penalties from senior players and a bad goal keeping error from one of the better keepers in L1 even this season .

I seriously hope you are not serious. If you are then you are way out of line.

[CottyRover]

Copps statement is just wise advice from a seasoned pro. Much more likely to get promoted if the squad heed his words. No conspiracy here. And no arguments to be had.

[since-1969]

Since you're insinuating that DRFC players threw it, can we assume you've already got yourself a solicitor lined up?

Xfile ?

[steve@dcfd]

Is it strange that this statement from Copps comes out just before there was a interview with DM saying that we weren’t interested in the player from Shrewsbury. So telling the supporters we need to level our expectation levels.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

“ says....  Don’t get carried away, don’t get frustrated and don’t get disappointed' - James Coppinger on tempering expectation levels at Doncaster Rovers“

Very wise words and ones we should all heed. This is purely about matters on the pitch and any suggestion that this is any reflection on the clubs transfer activity is way off the mark.

[Jimmydee]

We can all cheer Copps up on Saturday and sing happy birthday to him.

[steve@dcfd]

“ says....  Don’t get carried away, don’t get frustrated and don’t get disappointed' - James Coppinger on tempering expectation levels at Doncaster Rovers“

Very wise words and ones we should all heed. This is purely about matters on the pitch and any suggestion that this is any reflection on the clubs transfer activity is way off the mark.

I hope you are right Baz.

[SydneyRover]

For what it's worth if the comments were for the benefit of the team only why would they be published in the DFP maybe he's talking to both the players and the fans or even just the fans, do we know?