A shift in the balance of power in Yorkshire?

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Makes for an interesting read and topic for discussion


Will Barnsley and Doncaster take over from Sheffield Wednesday and United? 25 March 2010
By Martin Smith
Football
NEXT season will see a major shift in power in South Yorkshire football, Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan claims today.

\"Barnsley and Doncaster will take over from Sheffield Wednesday and United as the dominant clubs in the region\" he said.

Ryan, whose own team stands on the verge of a promotion play-off place took his club from the brink of extrinction in non-leaADVERTISEMENTgue football to first division safety in 12 years.

Now the club, whose fans once held a funeral for their team, is one of the most positive and debt-free in the game.

\"No disrespect to the Sheffield clubs but there is a definite power shift on the way. The key is the quality of management at Barnsley and Doncaster. It's why we have the advantage over the Sheffield clubs.

\"Wednesday are on the edge of the relegation zone and I hope they don't because I've a lot of respect for their manager, Alan Irvine. I sincerely hope they can get out of it.

\"Kevin Blackwell has worked under tremendous pressure and has had to sell his star players and has to rely on loans coming in. It's all very well loaning players but it's not ideal to have too many, the Championship is very competitive and I think he's done a magnificent job but a lot of United fans are angry. One thing that is positive about the Sheffield clubs is their magnificent fan base. What I wouldn't do for that kind of fan base at Doncaster.

\"To a lesser extent, Barnsley have the same problem. The Achilles heel for both clubs in terms of going on from where they are is their small fan base which is a big handicap both in financial terms and in trying to attract players.

\"Both Mark Robins and Sean O'Driscoll have proved themselves managers/coaches of the highest calibre. When we were struggling at the bottom oat Christmas I knew Sean would get us out of it. That's why I call him the Championship's Arsene Wenger. He is tactically astute and produces teams that are a joy to watch.

\"They don't hoof the ball; they play good football.\"

Martin Smith P8-9. Email your views to sport@thestar.co.uk

[RoversAlias]

Well you never know with this league, both Barnsley & Doncaster have solid squads and a good manager and could easily be in the sake-up next season. At the same time it wouldn't take much I don't think for either Sheffield club to be up ther either, bare in mind most of the players fighting the relegation battle for Wednesday now were comfortably in midtable this time last year.