FAN'S VIEW: DONCASTER ROVERS SEASON PREVIEW

We spoke with two Doncaster Rovers fans about the previous League One season and their prospects for the campaign ahead. First up, Ben.

How did you feel the 14/15 season went for your team?

I felt that we were very average in the end of the season. I was disappointed not to make the play-offs but the league was ridiculously tight and there was a slim chance we would hold onto 6th spot when we had it in our hands. The main disappointment from last season was our home form with just 7 wins all season. This was a major downfall for us and there is no real reason why we couldn't perform at home. Away from home however we were decent and if our home form was as good as our away form we would have definitely got a play-off spot. But we can’t deny that we were not good enough for promotion this season and a mid-table finish is more than I expected from the summer we had with the failed takeovers. A 13th place finish in the end was respectful in my opinion and I believe we have set ourselves up nicely.

Have you been impressed with the additions made during the summer break?

I am very impressed with how we've handled the transfers this summer, it has been 10 times better than the last 2 summers because we haven’t had any takeover speculations interrupting our preparations. The signing of Andy Williams was a very surprising one after he finished 3rd top scorer in league one last season, but it a very impressive bit of business from Paul Dickov. It will take time for Williams to get going no doubt because he has had a couple of injuries during pre-season and we’re hoping he can be fit for Bury on Saturday and hit the ground running with goals. The signing of Thorsten Stuckmann is another impressive signing and he has had a brilliant pre-season and is definitely looking like a top league one goalkeeper and we all know how impressive German goalkeepers can be. In a pre-season friendly against Sunderland’s first team he was outstanding by showing good reflexes and he can get down to low shots which is impressive for a big goalkeeper. The signings of Richard Chaplow, Gary Mackenzie, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Dany N’Guessan are also impressive signings and it adds a lot more competition for places in the team and they are all confident players and the mentality to win games.

Are there any areas you feel still need strengthening?

If there is any areas for development I would probably say the wide areas because James Coppinger as much as we absolutely love him down at Doncaster Rovers he is not getting any younger and the loss of Kyle Bennett to Portsmouth was also a disappointment as well. Harry Forrester is in my opinion our best player in the squad and he played up front against Sunderland and was fantastic so that is also another option we can us if necessary. But however this pre-season Cedric Evina who is originally a left-back has been playing in left wing and has been outstanding from what I've seen and heard. If anything happens to Taylor-Sinclair who is our new left back then Evina will have to step in at left back which could leave us in a tricky situation once injuries start to occur.

Are there any fixtures that you’re particularly looking forward to?

There most definitely is a lot of fixtures to look forward to this season because I can only think 5 teams in league one who are from the south, this gives loads of opportunities to play in Yorkshire derbies against Bradford City, Barnsley and Sheffield United. Then we have other teams local like Scunthorpe and Chesterfield. Then you have the likes of Blackpool and Wigan coming down which are promising away games for our fans to enjoy. But if there is any fixture that I am most looking forward to it is definitely Barnsley.

Which opposition team do you have high hopes for this season?

Well first of all looking at the sides who have come down you could say that Wigan are the best bet to go straight back up but it’s whether or not they can stop their downwards spiral and take a big U turn back to where they should be in my eyes. Millwall could be a threat this season as well if they can manage to score goals which is often an issue for Millwall. For poor Blackpool the club is in such a mess and it doesn't get any easier for them and there is no way I can see them doing anything which is real shame. The 4 teams who have come up look very promising as well especially Bury with their transfer business over the summer and Burton Albion under Hasselbaink will always be a dangerous team to play against. The teams I think are the ones to look out for are Sheffield United with Nigel Adkins who knows how to get out of this division and the signing of Billy Sharp is always going to be a threat. Then you have Bradford City who will have their fans behind them at Valley Parade which could potentially turn that ground into a fortress but it can depend on whether the players can respond well to the large numbers. Other teams who have a chance could be Barnsley, Peterborough and possibly Fleetwood who have made good signings as well.

Which players among your squad should we be looking for this term?

The players who will be looked at this season are Harry Forrester because he has the quality in him to really change a game whether he is on the pitch or coming off the bench. There is the goals of Andy Williams if he can keep up the form he had at Swindon and also there is still some old talent in the squad such as Richie Wellens and Rob Jones who can also prove to be game changers when they are at their best. One player I must mention however after a very promising pre-season is youngster Harry Middleton who played most of the 90 minutes against Sunderland and he was absolutely brilliant and you can definitely see progress from last season because he is stronger and more confident which has been benefited by playing alongside Wellens.

Where do you think you’ll end up at the end of the season?

I think we will be in the top 6 at the end of the season. We have the players the do it and if we can really show that we can win games at home this season which we look to have solved in pre-season with plenty of home friendlies we can definitely push for promotion this season. If the players can show good team spirit, confidence and stay injury free then I think there is no excuse for us to not make the top 6 at least. It wouldn't be the end of the world if we finish outside of the play offs because it is still progress from last season. If I am to choose 6 teams to be in the top six in no particular order I would go for; Sheffield United, Bradford, Wigan, Doncaster, Millwall and Barnsley. 

Next up was Joshua.

HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?

The 2014/2015 season we finished 13 which I think was the worst all Doncaster fans would settle for after relegation.

HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?

The six signings which we've made this summer have improved the spine of the squad,which was the key thing to do after the summer.

ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?

We need to try and sign a first team right back as we lack experience in that area of the squad. Also ideally I would like us to bring 1/2 to increase the squad depth of the team.

ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?

No particular fixtures stand out but there is lots of local games which will increase the attendances and atmosphere next season.

WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?

Except the obvious choices of Wigan and Sheffield United, I think Peterborough may do well and have recruited some excellent players.

WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?

We have quality players throughout the squad including players such as James Coppinger, Richard Chaplow and Andy Butler. The signing of Andy Williams from Swindon Who scored 22 goals in the league last has the potential to be the best of all especially arriving on a free transfer.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?

The minimum we should be achieving is the play-offs but anything can happen and depending on the amount of injuries it could be even better.