Stop squawking and support the manager!

Despite having only been in the manager's job for just over a month, it's ridiculous that some Doncaster Rovers fans already want to see Andy Butler sacked.

Is he really at fault? Has he been put in a difficult situation? Is it just bad luck? Are the players to blame? Or are there other factors which are the root cause of the problem?

Some people might agree or disagree with certain points but these are my honest opinions on certain topics relating to events at Doncaster Rovers and why its completely unacceptable that the manager is taking an absolute pounding when its not necessary.

Recent results/performances

The disappointment and frustration at recent results and dropping out of the League One play-off positions is perfectly understandable and nobody can deny that performances have been extremely disappointing and fallen well short of expected standards.

With that needs to come considered, respectful and intelligent opinions on how to arrest the slump in form - not silly, stupid, knee-jerk reactions, endless slagging off of individual players on social media (which sadly is becoming more prominent).

It's easy to make 'excuses' (for want of a better word) for some performances but results speak for themselves and at this stage of the season its results, points in the bag and victories which mean the most - and Doncaster Rovers haven't got enough in recent games.

Nevertheless, amidst the finger-pointing, squawking and social media meltdown, exactly who is to blame, what have been the contributing factors and where is it going wrong?

Causes for concern were already present at the time of Andy Butler's appointment when you consider that he took charge of a team who hadn't won in five games and had shipped 13 goals in the process. Furthermore, the club sold arguably their best player in Ben Whiteman in January; the same month in which AB's predecessor, Darren Moore, complained over how a perceived lack of strength in depth might cause issues later in the campaign. The heavily congested fixture schedule definitely hasn't helped whilst the severe injury problems need to be taken into account when analysing on the recent collapse.

Perhaps the most pertinent question is did the team actually seriously over-achieve earlier in the season and, subsequently, did that cause expectations to go off the scale? Nobody has a divine right to achieve anything in the football world but some comments by fans on social media would lead you to think otherwise.

The latest form table highlights the plight.

Get behind the manager!

When you consider that Andy Butler made nearly 250 appearances and won promotion with the club as a player, featuring in many memorable games, the cynicism, contempt and sheer lack of respect that he's been shown by some fans is utterly disgusting.

In fact, it's deplorable!

Whatever people think about his capabilities as a manager (and, frankly, my own view is that its absolutely ridiculous to judge 'capabilities' given that he's been in the job only a month and hasn't even had a transfer window to recruit his own personnel), something that can be undisputed is that he's trying his best! Every day, he's giving 100% commitment to try and be successful, seeing everything what happens on the training ground, analysing, preparing and making decisions regarding the team. He's already said that he wants the manager's job on a long-term basis and with that he'll have a burning desire to be successful during his current stint as manager. You can also guarantee that right now, he'll be the person who is hurting the most, frustrated, upset, angry and having the most sleepless nights!

Granted, he'll make mistakes, as will every manager in their first job. There was one interview a couple of weeks ago where something in particular was said which jumped out because it could be interpreted a few ways by those within the camp. It could have been perceived as naive but it's important to emphasise again that every manager will make mistakes at some point, there'll be learning curves along the way and perhaps, retrospectively, they would do or say things differently.

What AB certainly doesn't deserve is the incessant questioning, slaughter and abuse that he's receiving from some fans on social media. He's the manager and he'll accept that flak comes with the territory, but comments including 'he should do the decent thing and resign' (even before a game) are totally out of order and it doesn't help! Describing him as 'sh*t' or 'crap' or 'the cheap option' is also an insult when he's worked his socks off on the pitch for DRFC over so many years and gave so much joy to some people who are now criticising him so vehemently!

Other comments such as 'he needs to be sacked' along with discussions listing endless names of unemployed managers as ones who should replace him is also an insult. More perspective is needed and it must be remembered that, time-wise, he's only been in the job for just over a month; not long whatsoever for a new boss to create a blueprint and identity! 

He needs people's support right now and fans squawking and creating a toxic culture; putting comments in the public domain which are beyond critical and just downright abusive towards the manager or the team, is counter-productive and add to the pressure. It's not going to help anyone!

It's yet to materialise whether this campaign turns out to be a success or failure; the barometer in measuring 'success' would be whether the team ends up in the Play-Offs or not, but until either the season is finished or the board make a decision on a long-term manager, then some people should show more respect.

Again, AB is doing his best - it may or may not be good enough for him to secure the job on a long-term basis but it means more than the hypothetical scenario of what 'X' manager might do over the remaining games if he was appointed now. Coincidentally, if 'X' manager was appointed and form didn't improve, would the same overly-critical fans be swooping like vultures and squawking for another change in manager next month?

I'm many long-time fans would consider Sean O'Driscoll to be the greatest manager in DRFC's history. He had success... and what was the very first thing he did when he was appointed? It was sign make a new signing in the shape of Brian Stock - this occurring before he'd even took charge of a game!

One can only emphasise that it needs to be taken into account that AB is working with a group of players that aren't his own and one's he inherited. Show him some respect and stop squawking!

Andy Butler is interviewed after the defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Are the players to blame?

Given that results have contrasted so greatly between a few months ago and the time of writing then serious questions have to be asked of the players!

They can only get away with sub-standard showings for so long...

Did some players become complacent because they were winning all the time not so long ago? Are they preparing properly before games and 100% focused on the next game? Is anyone distracted by other matters not related to football? Could they be doing more, individually and collectively, than they are right at this moment in time? How much are some players prepared to put in the hard graft, determination and effort to try and make themselves part of something special? Do they want to achieve success as much as the team-mate next to them? Do some players just want the adulation and fanfare which comes with being a professional footballer?

Basically, what the f**k has happened for things to have gone so wrong?

No fans will know precisely what is occurring in the dressing room or on the training ground simply because they aren't present there every day to understand and grasp the culture, mood and ethos. Something isn't right, clearly, and those who want to pick out players on an individual basis and label them with names risks doing more harm than good.

Nevertheless, the team have collectively produced a string of displays now which have been below par, sub-standard, unacceptable and not good enough if they want to win promotion. 'Rubbish' is a word which some outspoken critics might say is an accurate one to describe recent games!

I've no doubt the players will have their own thoughts as to why things are going tits up, but whatever their own views, the situation needs to get sorted out. They're the ones directly living and breathing in this moment with their destiny in their own hands and if a brutally honest team-meeting, an old fashioned bust-up (perhaps not a bad thing?), arms round shoulders between some players to encourage one another or more listening and understanding from some individuals, is the way forward then so be it. If conflict is going to help or kicks up the backside and arguments are needed then bring it on, because as a group they need to gain strength in the face of the adversity and become unbreakable and the manager can't keep taking the brunt of the abuse when players aren't performing.

Some players might even want to blame the manager, but when the team is selected (thus, the boss puts his faith in a group to win three points), it's down to those involved to give everything. Can every player really say they've given everything in recent games and, if they have as individuals, can the same be said of their team-mates and other around them?

Granted, there's been some big changes (the manager) and losses (Ben Whiteman) in recent months along with setbacks (injuries) but now isn't the time for anyone to be feeling sorry for themselves and thinking about what might have been. 

There was enough strength and quality in the squad in the first instance to get into a promising league position and it's down to the group to rediscover that form, show more cohesiveness and do everything they possibly can, which is within their control, to try and end the season in contention for promotion. One solitary glance at the League One table shows that with 27 points available then ending the season in a Play-Off position is still very much obtainable. All isn't lost at this moment in time.

In my opinion, it's unfair to publicly criticise individual names of players who might be under-performing and to those fans doing so, what is going to be achieved by slaughtering your own players?

However, if they don't sort things soon and continue to perform poorly, arguably the best ever chance some players will get of winning promotion, creating memories and playing at Wembley Stadium in a Play-Off Final, will have been blown! Regardless of anyone's background - whether they're a loanee, were signed from another club or came through the youth system, the chance to play in big stadiums in big games, achieve lots of success and create memories is what everyone dreamed of when they were growing up as a kid!

Something is needed to get to grips with the current situation otherwise the regrets over what could have been in 2020-21 will linger for a long time to come with a lot of people!

Rovers prepare for a corner in the game with Charlton Athletic.

Criticism of the board; Is it justified?

A contentious topic; it's been clear and obvious for many years now that the current Doncaster Rovers board divide opinion amongst fans.

There are those who believe the board lack ambition and are tight, stingy and want to see more financial support so that the club has the best chance of getting back into the Championship and becoming a sustained outfit at that level - similar to how it was not too many years ago during John Ryan's tenure as chairman.

On the flip side, there are people who believe it's better to stick with the current regime as opposed to having a change in ownership, with some individuals blinded by the 'family ethos' which is placed at the forefront of everything in the 'Club Doncaster' organisation name which gets trotted out at every given opportunity.

Whilst I'm far from the board's biggest admirer, the amount of criticism and flak which they've received for appointing Andy Butler as manager in the wake of Darren Moore's departure, is unwarranted.

DM's defection to Sheffield Wednesday was sudden and unexpected and it caught everyone off guard so a decision had to be made overnight. Their choice was either 'appoint from within' or go through a recruitment process (which, based on previous managerial appointments under this ownership, always takes a while) at a critical stage of the season.

In my opinion, there was nothing wrong in AB's appointment, nor is there anything wrong in him remaining as manager until the end of the season - or even beyond.

Some might perceive it as a cheap option but there are other clubs this season in the Football League - Bradford City and AFC Bournemouth being two, who chose to appoint from within following the departure of their previous managers. Sometimes this philosophy will work and sometimes it won't - that's football. However, there was absolutely nothing wrong in, theoretically, delaying any long-term appointment until the summer when there will be more time to conduct a proper recruitment process for a new manager and identify the best person for the job!

Any claims that the appointment was 'because the board didn't want to win promotion as it costs money' is complete and utter rubbish. People own football clubs for all sorts of reasons - good and bad, but the notion that the owners/directors don't want promotion because it might result in extra investment is ridiculous. The financial benefits of reaching the Championship (more TV money, prize money, increased sponsorships and revenues, plus gate receipts - if crowds are allowed), far outweigh any negatives. Also, you can be 100% certain that the players will want to get promoted whether it be for the memories involved in doing so or the win/promotion bonuses and financial benefits that they'd receive as a result.

The perception that AB is 'just the cheap option' and has only been given the manager's job for that sole reason is insulting by those claiming it. AB was trusted with the position on merit - exactly the same as was Jonathan Woodgate at Bournemouth was, plus all the other managers who've been 'appointed from within' in previous years at various clubs. Some fans need to stop squawking!

The DRFC board at a 'Meet The Owners' event a couple of years ago.

Do the board have their priorities wrong?

Regardless of the rationale behind Andy Butler's appointment, it shouldn't mean that both the owners and Chief Executive are exempt from criticism.

In my opinion, questions over just how much they're prepared to loosen the purse strings or whether they're sometimes tightening them too quickly, are entirely justified. And that's not to mention the notorious 'Club Doncaster' structure which is well-publicised from within the organisation itself.

Away from the first team environment, several months before the Covid-19 pandemic happened, the boardroom decision-makers decided against investing in improvements to make the academy reach Category Two status. The principal reason behind this was because it would cost too much money (mainly for an indoor facility), even though it would have meant competing against better quality opponents week on week. As a consequence, had it happened, the quality of player being recruited into the academy set-up would have got better over time and improved the overall intention which is to produce 'ready made' first team players and sell them on. 

You only have to take a look at Max Watters to see there was some promising players within the club's set-up but ridiculously, the Under 23s team was scrapped altogether last summer (and blamed on the over-baked, perfect excuse that is the pandemic), amidst other cuts and talk of redundancies.

This sounds all well and good, perhaps, until you consider the key financial backer, Terry Bramall, has wealth estimated to be in excess of £400M.... something which doesn't sit well with me on a personal level, especially when the club were pleading poverty and expected financial contributions from fans last summer, to help the club survive the 'difficult times'.

On the contrary to events at the Keepmoat Stadium, Peterborough United - a similar-sized club to DRFC in many respects (who some would argue have backers with much more ambition) have chosen to make the extra investment to reach Category Two status, along with investing more in their squad and buying back their London Road stadium from the local council. So perhaps Posh, whose backers are seemingly prepared to put their money where their mouth is, deserve to be rewarded with success - and is this an example of where 'Club Doncaster' might be left lagging behind in the long-term because they wanted a short-term gain in saving a few quid in the here and now?

Elsewhere, it also can't have gone unnoticed that two of three previous managers - namely Darren Ferguson and Darren Moore, expressed dissatisfaction over funds available for the playing squad shortly before their respective departures. Danny Andrew also left the club having been offered more money by Fleetwood Town - hardly the biggest team in League One whilst Matty Blair has stated he was offered a deal that he just couldn't accept because it was so poor.

There are many other examples which fit the 'stingy owners' narrative in one way or another - whether it be Paul Dickov's claim that 'the playing budget was exaggerated to appease the fans and make the board look good', the high turnover of staff within 'Club Doncaster' structure (are employees leaving for a reason; better wages elsewhere?) or the sheer lack of contracted players this season and over-reliance on loanees. It may be seen as prudent in some ways but none of these facts do much to improve the impression many fans have of the ownership and it raises more questions than it offers answers.

Furthermore, the 'cosying up' by senior off-field figures, namely Gavin Baldwin - the Chief Executive, to a prominent yet seriously outspoken figure on the Viking Forum (who has a penchant for being unable to accept alternative views), leads one to wonder whether that website is just a vehicle for club propaganda. Are the club's hierarchy also happy with the way in which that individual responds to fans who hold genuine concerns and alternative views? Does valid, constructive criticism upset them? Do they just want to be surrounded by 'Yes Men' and is anyone offering alternative views seen as bad guys?

For another example of where the club's priorities might be wrong, you only have to take one look at the content churned out by the media department.

Plenty of material appears on the official club website aimed at portraying a 'family friendly' image which is to be expected given the website is the club's own PR vehicle. There are no problems with this, even if it's not actually related to football matters, but what most fans care about are the results of Doncaster Rovers (not Club Doncaster), seeing a successful team and what happens on the pitch.

What's for absolutely certain is most fans don't care about total nonsense such as 'Donny Dog TV' which, bizarrely, really does actually exist. Even though it's got a niche target market, ridiculously its had more coverage on the website this season than the youth team (actual human beings) who've rarely had match reports published whilst some lads don't even have their individual photos next to their player profiles on the website. Not every fan will be interested in the youth team's progress anyway (that's life!) but at least they're playing football - though you wouldn't know considering the way they've been neglected by the very organisation they're representing. It's just not a good way to treat other employees!

Of course, the pandemic will be blamed for the lack of coverage because it's the best excuse ever for so many things but, even if nobody in the media department can't attend games themselves - understandable if their bosses want to cut their costs and excessively use the furlough scheme, the virus can't be caught from a telephone call to the manager afterwards, asking what happened and getting enough details and quotes to produce a subsequent article - thus delivering football content on a football club website (a concept which seems foreign to Club Doncaster at times).

Ultimately, the lack of coverage has been extremely poor... but at least the chances of some employees landing a job as a script-writer for new episodes of Scooby Doo, in the future, is quite good. At a professional football club, it's the mascot's TV channel with a viewership of about three people which is obviously of super-duper importance!

You sometimes just can't help but wonder at what expense the actual football side of things is being neglected, if not jeapordised, by the decision-makers high up the 'Club Doncaster' hierarchy who deem success as winning 'Family Club of the Year' award and quite honestly seem to want to swim within their own goldfish bowl.

On the pitch, moderate success (reaching the Play-Offs in 2019 and a few cup runs) has been achieved up to now during the current ownership but with seemingly dwindling investment, year by year, will this 'success' last forever, or will the club endure a tough season, stagnate and go backwards in the post-pandemic footballing world - at a time when comparatively similar-sized clubs such as Peterborough are taking steps forward?