Lowly Doncaster Rovers confident of escaping relegation
By Jack Lister
December 10, 2021

Struggling Doncaster Rovers are in desperate need of a victory in Saturday’s League One fixture, as interim manager Gary McSheffrey called for his players to trust each other.

The side are currently six points adrift at the bottom of the league table and go into the fixture having lost their last three games.

The game could be classed as a relegation battle, with Shrewsbury Town lying in 19th ahead of Saturday.

Off the field, Doncaster Rovers are looking to appoint a full-time manager, with the club controversially advertising the job role to members of the general public.

During Thursday’s press conference, McSheffrey said: “Against Oxford mid-week we made them look normal.

“The only thing we needed to work on was one or two things on the pitch and we needed that extra something to come off the bench.”

Despite Rovers’ dire recent form, the squad remains optimistic at the prospect of being able to get out of relegation trouble.

19-year-old midfielder Lirak Hasani confidently said: “The lads have to believe we’re going to get out of this or there’s no hope.

“It means more being a local lad, it’s all about small margins in these games.”

Speaking on the mood in the dressing room, McSheffrey added: “When everyone’s fit it’s not a relegation squad.

“We need to trust each other, I want the players to get that self-believe back.”

Rovers are facing an injury crisis, with ex-Man United academy defender Ro-Shaun Williams out until the start of January. Other key absentees include Ben Close, Charlie Seamen and Dan Gardener.

With time already running out for Doncaster Rovers’ to save their season, the squad need to make every game count before the much-anticipated January transfer window.

Tickets for Saturday’s fixture against Shrewsbury can be purchased online at: https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/tickets/