Doncaster fan: Darren Ferguson is just the man we needed
Doncaster Rovers fan Lewis Ward is optimistic about improved performances on the pitch after the appointment of Darren Ferguson.
Lewis writes the blog vikingsbloggen.wordpress.com and was talking to REP.
About the fan…
“I’m 24-years-old and still a season ticket holder at Rovers. I’ve supported them since the Conference days and I’m still as loyal as ever. I’ve been a supporter through the most successful period in the club’s history, but I’ve seen plenty of lows too. I don’t get to as many away games as I’d like, but I have been to 56 league grounds as well as the Millennium Stadium and Wembley…”
How are your team doing?
When Paul Dickov was sacked we were sitting in the relegation zone, but since then we’ve done ourselves proud…
We didn’t get off to the start we’d have liked. It wasn’t as though we were losing week-in, week-out but drawing most games don’t get you very far! When Paul Dickov was sacked we were sitting in the relegation zone, but since then we’ve done ourselves proud and are now in the top-half of the table. That’s something none of us had expected in October, but is perhaps still lower than we’d hoped in August.
Where you think you will finish?
Personally, I’d be happy to finish somewhere around where we are now. There’s a lot of talk of a play-off push around the club at the moment which would be a huge bonus. Compared to where we were a few months ago, I’d be really pleased with a top half finish.
Who should we watch out for?
Andy Williams is in fantastic form for us at the moment. He’s scored 14 goals so far this season and doesn’t look like slowing down. He’s the type of player who could create a chance from nothing and score a blinder. As a team we’ve got a “never say die” attitude and any player could cause a threat.
What are your thoughts on your manager?
Since he came in in October, we’ve won nine games in all competitions and look like a completely different team…
Darren Ferguson is just the man Doncaster Rovers needed. Since he came in in October, we’ve won nine games in all competitions and look like a completely different team to the start of the season. He’s changed the feeling around the club and we’re all feeling a lot more positive about our immediate and more distant future. It makes you wonder where we might have been if he was in charge from the start of the season.
What are your thoughts on your board?
It’s been quite quiet for us off the field recently. The last couple of years have seen failed takeover bids which have cast a shadow over our season. This year we had a peaceful summer and could prepare properly. The board made the decision to sack Dickov at just the right time, giving us the chance to turn our season around. They spent time finding the right man which certainly paid off with the appointment of Fergie Jr.
Any views on the current Port Vale team?
Port Vale seem to be one of those sides you wouldn’t write off and expect to beat easily. They’ve had some good wins so far this season and a draw against Bradford at the weekend was a very good result, in my opinion. AJ Leitch-Smith knows where the net is and goals seem to come from a wide spread of the squad, so anyone could cause us a threat on Tuesday.
Did you attend the reverse fixture earlier this season?
I was at Vale Park in August. Do I need to say anymore? No disrespect to Port Vale, but we were awful that day. Uche Ikpeazu caused us a lot of problems, which was expected from the former Rover. We have to be pleased it only finished 3-0 as it could have been a lot more, especially considering Stuckmann saved a spot-kick early on.
Any views or memories of players / managers that have been involved with both teams?
Ikpeazu caused us plenty of problems in August and helped Vale to a deserved victory that day. I’m not aware of that many links between the clubs with players and managers.
A score prediction?
I’m going to go for a 2-1 win for us. I can see it being a tight game with not too many clear cut chances.
For goal scorers, I think Lynden Gooch will grab one in his home debut for us, with Andy Williams getting the other. For Vale, I reckon AJ Leitch-Smith will find the net for the second time this week.