John Spicer (Burnley)
Few people expected Doncaster to be in the Championship this year and their rise from non league has been pretty impressive as another team in hoops makes it to the Championship. They came pretty close to automatic
promotion last year and it was only defeat on the final; day of
the season which saw them slip to fourth place and miss out on the
promotion they deserved. They instead did it the hard way drawing at Southend before thrashing them 5-0 at home. That set up a final against Leeds where
Sean O'Driscoll's side played Leeds off the park in the second half
and won by a single goal to earn promotion to the Championship.
Doncaster are an unknown quantity coming up and most expect them to struggle. Under Sean O'Driscoll though they are a very good footballing side similar in many ways to Bristol City last season and they could well shock a few teams. In Ritchie Wellens they have a midfield player who has always been good but is now the main man for his team and everything foes through him. They were dubbed the Arsenal of league one and that was no joke. They played a brilliant passing game and in the end were far too good for a division which had some very big clubs in. They perhaps lack a 20 goal a season man up front which could make them a genuine threat in this division and without him they'll face a few problems. I think they'll have enough about them
to stay up though and provide some real entertainment along the
way. PREDICTION: 20th in the Championship
I asked Doncaster fans on an unofficial message board for their thoughts on the new season and here is what they had to say. How do you think Doncaster will fare this season? I think we'll surprise a few people and stay up and with some luck and avoiding injuries we could easily finish top half. Who are your players to watch out for? Ritchie Wellens Is your Manager the right man for the job? Yes, he's a legend Which three teams will be promoted this season? Birmingham, Reading and QPR Which teams will be relegated? As long as it;s not us i don't care but I'll go with Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool and Barnsley How do you think QPR will fare this season? Top six
Rufus Brevett joined QPR from Doncaster back in 1990. the left back joined as back up to Kenny Sansom and quickly won his place in the side helping us to a mid table finish. Brevett then found himself as back up to Clive Wilson but when he got the chance he usually looked a decent player. When Wilson left in 1995 it was a chance for Brevett to step up and he proved to be one of our better defenders and a popular player as well. He left QPR to join Fulham where
he helped them to promotion up the leagues and eventually found
himself back in the premiership with West Ham.
Rangers have not met Doncaster in the
league since our promotion and cup winning season of 1966/67. Back then Rangers won 6-0 at home before
drawing 1-1 away. Our most recent meeting came in 1985
when Doncaster knocked us out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win.
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