The Descent

[scawsby steve]

2018/19 - 6th in League 1

2019/20 - 9th in League 1 (season curtailed)

2020/21 - 14th in League 1

2021/22 - 22nd in League 1 (relegated)

2022/23 - 18th in League 2

2023/24 - 20th in League 2 (halfway point)

The downward trajectory of our club is really alarming, and is showing no signs whatsoever of abating.

Very concerning.

[Chris Black come back]

2018/19 - 6th in League 1

2019/20 - 9th in League 1 (season curtailed)

2020/21 - 14th in League 1

2021/22 - 22nd in League 1 (relegated)

2022/23 - 18th in League 2

2023/24 - 20th in League 2 (halfway point)

The downward trajectory of our club is really alarming, and is showing no signs whatsoever of abating.

Very concerning.

20/21 season Moore left and we were in the play off places. We appointed totally inexperienced Andy Butler and expected the poor guy to get us into the Championship.

21/22 season in midst of relegation battle placed 23rd in League One, we handed role to totally inexperienced Gary McSheffrey.

Both known to club.

[i_ateallthepies]

It's called sustainability, Steve.  It is a downward trajectory but being sustained, what's not to like

[In the box]

2018/19 - 6th in League 1

2019/20 - 9th in League 1 (season curtailed)

2020/21 - 14th in League 1

2021/22 - 22nd in League 1 (relegated)

2022/23 - 18th in League 2

2023/24 - 20th in League 2 (halfway point)

The downward trajectory of our club is really alarming, and is showing no signs whatsoever of abating.

Very concerning.

You missed off the managerial changes for each descent . Let’s face facts giving Butler a top six position when Moore departed was the real joke . Everything else is just a good kick in caused by not learning from this mistake !!

[drfchound]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

[Chris Black come back]

McSheffrey....spoke well in the interview and knows the club

Chairman David Blunt said: “The reaction we have seen from the team since Gary’s appointment, along with the excellent way he conducted himself during his interview for the job meant that we felt he was the best man to take the team forward. He understands the club, the existing squad personnel and showed a greater understanding of the needs of the team compared to many of his counterparts with experience at higher levels.

Schofield.... knows the area

During a recruitment process driven by head of football operations James Coppinger, Doncaster-born Schofield quickly emerged as the preferred candidate. As the club seeks to cement a framework and culture to endure for years to come, Schofield impressed with clear plans for a style of play and development of players, as well as inspiring faith that he can guide the squad towards achieving the goals for the current campaign. The 42-year-old has signed a one-year rolling contract and is relishing the prospect of taking the reins at his hometown club.

“The initial feeling is excitement,” Schofield said. “I’m really looking forward to the challenge and I appreciate the opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting to work.

“This is a new challenge and one I’m ready to give my all to in order to make it a success.

“I’m a Doncaster lad. I’m from the area so I know this place well. I know the supporters. I know what the ambitions of the club are.

[BillyStubbsTears]

McSheffrey....spoke well in the interview and knows the club

Chairman David Blunt said: “The reaction we have seen from the team since Gary’s appointment, along with the excellent way he conducted himself during his interview for the job meant that we felt he was the best man to take the team forward. He understands the club, the existing squad personnel and showed a greater understanding of the needs of the team compared to many of his counterparts with experience at higher levels.

Schofield.... knows the area

During a recruitment process driven by head of football operations James Coppinger, Doncaster-born Schofield quickly emerged as the preferred candidate. As the club seeks to cement a framework and culture to endure for years to come, Schofield impressed with clear plans for a style of play and development of players, as well as inspiring faith that he can guide the squad towards achieving the goals for the current campaign. The 42-year-old has signed a one-year rolling contract and is relishing the prospect of taking the reins at his hometown club.

“The initial feeling is excitement,” Schofield said. “I’m really looking forward to the challenge and I appreciate the opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting to work.

“This is a new challenge and one I’m ready to give my all to in order to make it a success.

“I’m a Doncaster lad. I’m from the area so I know this place well. I know the supporters. I know what the ambitions of the club are.

And yet, for all these issues, both those managers achieved better outcomes than we have done so far this season, despite having considerably less money to spend.

[Chris Black come back]

My favourite was the appointment of Schofield meaning  "the club seeks to cement a framework and culture to endure for years to come".

Framework lasted less than six months.

[In the box]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

[BillyStubbsTears]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

[MachoMadness]

The Descent... A bloody horror film about unprepared amateurs getting in a situation that's way over their heads, and getting slaughtered slowly and painfully over the course of about 100 minutes or so.

Sounds about right.

[DonnyOsmond]

2018/19 - 6th in League 1

2019/20 - 9th in League 1 (season curtailed)

2020/21 - 14th in League 1

2021/22 - 22nd in League 1 (relegated)

2022/23 - 18th in League 2

2023/24 - 20th in League 2 (halfway point)

The downward trajectory of our club is really alarming, and is showing no signs whatsoever of abating.

Very concerning.

20/21 season Moore left and we were in the play off places. We appointed totally inexperienced Andy Butler and expected the poor guy to get us into the Championship.

21/22 season in midst of relegation battle placed 23rd in League One, we handed role to totally inexperienced Gary McSheffrey.

Both known to club.

We were in poor form under Moore before he left, Whiteman going saw to that. Butler probably wasn't the right choice but I doubt any manager could have done much that season.

[Lesonthewest]

Speaking of Whiteman, excellent today against Leeds.

[Chris Black come back]

Speaking of Whiteman, excellent today against Leeds.

He still hasn't signed a new deal though! Him signing is probably one of our priorities this window, not that we can influence this.

[normal rules]

The big question is when do rovers hit “bottom”?
I can honestly see very few points coming from the January games. Maybe a point against Harrogate and Newport at a push.

[tyke1962]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

I'd bet my house on with the same funds available again but with smarter recruitment you'd assemble a squad capable of finishing top three .

[Chris Black come back]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

Whatever people think, we literally cannot afford to get rid of McCann anyway.

We tried to introduce a system where we had a squad of players fit for a certain way of playing. We then just had to recruit managers who could make that system work. Recruitment was handled by the Head of Football.

This got dumped and McCann brought in, to have much more control over recruitment. So if people want him to go, then fine but we are then left yet again with a squad full of all sorts, signed by literally five different managers all with different styles of play.

So whether people like it or not we need to double down on McCann and let him build a squad over the next two windows. If we are 20th in League Two this time next season, then let's talk about him.

[Padge_DRFC]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

Despite what people are saying Ben Close would walk into any of the top 3 sides. The players around him just aren't on his level.

Other than that nobody right now.

[In the box]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

100% agree , but I assume yo get what you pay for and it’s hard to pay for loyalty on a shoe string . 40k a week is it enough to buy experience or quality imo I doubt it . We have no back bone of players in the squad who would be first in the team sheet . I always though it was going to be hard bringing in so many strangers to each other and a manager who hadn’t worked with any of them and retaining players he needed to move on . 20th on the face of it says it all . Very Hard

[Padge_DRFC]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

100% agree , but I assume yo get what you pay for and it’s hard to pay for loyalty on a shoe string . 40k a week is it enough to buy experience or quality imo I doubt it . We have no back bone of players in the squad who would be first in the team sheet . I always though it was going to be hard bringing in so many strangers to each other and a manager who hadn’t worked with any of them and retaining players he needed to move on . 20th on the face of it says it all . Very Hard

Notts Wrexham and Stockport will be paying double that on their squad for sure. Mansfield recruit well, Barrow massively over achieving.

50% of our wages are injured as well!

[Chris Black come back]

Speaking of Whiteman, excellent today against Leeds.

He squared up to the Leeds keeper today that led to the keeper getting sent off. As enjoyable as their defeat was and in particular seeing their keeper get sent off, the Preston lad who went down Milutin Osmajić is an absolute disgrace and needs kicking out of the game. Absolute joker rolling around like a screaming baby.

[Michael Shaw]

A 5 year plan into the Conference League?  At least we are achieving one target.

[Scooter]

The Descent... A bloody horror film about unprepared amateurs getting in a situation that's way over their heads, and getting slaughtered slowly and painfully over the course of about 100 minutes or so.

Sounds about right.

I’ve watched a lot of horror films and The Descent winds me up as it is dreadful and makes me shout at the telly

This is life imitating art. Not sure what is worse - watching the film or the football

[Lesonthewest]

Weren’t McSheffrey and Schofield the outstanding candidates from all of the applications we had though?

You don’t throw away the opportunity when Moore left by giving the job to a first timer unless you don’t want promotion . Every other manager since left under a cloud WHY ? Imo the club was cutting back the amount money available and settling on playing L2 as wage bills and running costs can be managed prudently! Until Terry Bramhall stepping at the start of this season , ticket sales had nose dived and supporters were viewing with their feet . TB has pulled another stroke by bringing in a managers liked by the supporters but still put restraints on the wage bill . Imo we are not long for this league unless TB can find a buyer as even he has a limited on what he can put in .
Results are gained in this division by providing a positive outlook and the funds to back up the wishes of the club intent .
There are no guarantees of success but over time results grow as a consistency and momentum also grows with better results .?
But remove the positives and you end up 20th in L2 ..

We have a first team squad of more than 30 players. I'd guess that the wage bill is north of £40k/week.

Yet stop for a moment and ask yourself how many of those players would be regulars in any of the top three sides.

I'll start the bidding at "none".

It's not lack of funds that is the issue. It is three years of utterly dreadful recruitment. Culminating in that gutless abomination today.

Whatever people think, we literally cannot afford to get rid of McCann anyway.

We tried to introduce a system where we had a squad of players fit for a certain way of playing. We then just had to recruit managers who could make that system work. Recruitment was handled by the Head of Football.

This got dumped and McCann brought in, to have much more control over recruitment. So if people want him to go, then fine but we are then left yet again with a squad full of all sorts, signed by literally five different managers all with different styles of play.

So whether people like it or not we need to double down on McCann and let him build a squad over the next two windows. If we are 20th in League Two this time next season, then let's talk about him.

This!!

[Bentley Bullet]

It seems to me that the club has been in descendency since we were last relegated from the Championship in 2015 after financial restraints were introduced as a means of self-sufficiency.

[In the box]

It seems to me that the club has been in descendency since we were last relegated from the Championship in 2015 after financial restraints were introduced as a means of self-sufficiency.

Hasn't been achieved?

[Bentley Bullet]

It seems to me that the club has been in descendency since we were last relegated from the Championship in 2015 after financial restraints were introduced as a means of self-sufficiency.

Hasn't been achieved?

If it has it's been to the detriment of the quality of the Rovers playing squad.

[Chris Black come back]

We stopped publishing full accounts effective for the end of the 2014/15 season and in recent times didn't publish them prior to the 2009/10 season. Absolutely insane to think we had a wage bill of nearly £10m (during The Experiment season of all seasons).

Total wage costs

2014/15 season - £4.12m (League One)
2013/14 season - £7.3m (Championship)
2012/13 season - £7.05m (League One)
2011/12 season - £9.36m (Championship)
2010/11 season - £7.5m (Championship)
2009/10 season - £6.6m (Championship)

Now? Probably between £2-£2.5m?

[Prez]

2018/19 - 6th in League 1

2019/20 - 9th in League 1 (season curtailed)

2020/21 - 14th in League 1

2021/22 - 22nd in League 1 (relegated)

2022/23 - 18th in League 2

2023/24 - 20th in League 2 (halfway point)

The downward trajectory of our club is really alarming, and is showing no signs whatsoever of abating.

Very concerning.

And just when is this nightmare gonna end?

[normal rules]

2018/19 - 6th in League 1

2019/20 - 9th in League 1 (season curtailed)

2020/21 - 14th in League 1

2021/22 - 22nd in League 1 (relegated)

2022/23 - 18th in League 2

2023/24 - 20th in League 2 (halfway point)

The downward trajectory of our club is really alarming, and is showing no signs whatsoever of abating.

Very concerning.

And just when is this nightmare gonna end?

I’ve asked this Prez. When do rovers hit the new unwelcome “bottom”? Will this get any worse? I am looking at the table tonight and upcoming fixtures and DRFC should now be looking over their shoulder at Sutton, FGR, Colchester and Salford .