Doncaster FanZoner Daniel Nice asks if losing Dean Saunders will make a big difference.
Saunders exit not the end of the world for Rovers
The world of football never seems to stand still. One minute Dean Saunders had led Doncaster Rovers to a 1-0 win over Colchester United to move level on points with leaders Tranmere, the next he was heading to Wolves to replace Stale Solbakken.
Some fans wish we had put up more of a fight to keep him but I understand the club's position on things. I actually agree with the way the move was conducted; amicably and quickly.
As soon as Wolves expressed an interest in Saunders, it would have been foolish to stand in his way of a great opportunity. Let's be honest, these things don't come around all that often. The best thing was for a deal to be struck promptly to allow Rovers to begin the search for their new boss in earnest.
I have to say that I find the appointment surprising, particularly given some of the other names said to be in the frame. Steve Morgan and Jez Moxey have gone on personality rather than track record and experience, which is always dangerous in my opinion.
Saunders will undoubtedly give the dressing room an immediate lift but fans at Molineux will need to hope that his style changes with better players at his disposal. There is every chance it might, although it has to be said that Saunders did not adapt when moving to the Championship with us. Wolves do still have Premier League players even though you wouldn't have credited it under Solbakken!
His move has been made to mixed reactions from Doncaster fans. Some feel his departure is a huge blow to the club, others were not overly fussed given his style of football. Saunders' last game on Saturday was a microcosm of his reign; a largely uninspiring performance against a side who can't win for toffee but three points thanks to a late moment of brilliance from David Cotterill.
Whatever the weather, you couldn't argue with the results gathered by Saunders. Only Cardiff have won more games in the entire Football League this season, nobody has a better away record. The 'W' column pays the rent, not performances, after all.
My view? I think you have to give Saunders credit for getting a team to gel quickly and installing a winning mindset and wish him, Brian Carey and Mal Purchase all the best.
unsatisfactory
But when Sean O'Driscoll left it felt like a whole era crashing to an unsatisfactory end. When you consider that Saunders did not build his own team last season, he has only really been at the helm for 26 league games. It is too quick to make a judgement in my opinion, but clearly enough for Wolves to come to a conclusion.
My uncle is a Wrexham fan and when Saunders left the Racecourse, he said he didn't feel too strongly one way or the other. I expected he would have been more disappointed given Wrexham were top of the league when Saunders left. However, I completely understand what he meant now. I feel the same.
I am disappointed that he has gone but more because the disruption is unwelcome rather than the fact we have lost Saunders. Is this harsh? Probably. My main concern is that we don't want to lose the players who have got us into this position, such as Rob Jones and Cotterill, who could now become Wolves targets.
On that basis, it would have been preferable to keep the status quo intact. But look at Wrexham when Saunders left - Andy Morrell managed to keep up the good work, only narrowly missing out on the title to a rampant, high-spending Fleetwood Town. In essence, that is what we need now. Not someone to reinvent the wheel, just somebody to keep things ticking over.
So who should that man be? Some would like an emotional return for O'Driscoll or Dave Penney but I don't think that would work in practice. Some would like Glynn Snodin, some are keen on Owen Coyle and Billy Davies and one suggestion was the Grimsby management duo of Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.
I would generally prefer us to appoint somebody hungry from the lower leagues, like the previous two appointments of O'Driscoll and Saunders, but I wonder whether this is the time for that kind of appointment. If we opted for that route, I'd like to see former Donny midfielder Mark Yates, now doing so well at Cheltenham, or Exeter's Paul Tisdale given a chance.
But there are also plenty of experienced hands out there currently without a manager's job, who could make a go of things at Rovers.
Coyle or Davies would be sound appointments but I can't see either of them stepping into League One. Gary Megson and Alan Irvine are not everyone's cup of tea but they know the score and would continue the Saunders style. Former Rovers player Brian Flynn, who has been put in temporary charge alongside captain Jones, is also streetwise and knows Saunders' methods well.
My choice would be a combination of the two traits, somebody who has built enough experience to be level-headed but could still be considered as somebody new and fresh, eager to make his mark in management. I am not sure whether he could be persuaded to come back to South Yorkshire after a previous spell at Barnsley but I'd ask for permission to talk to Mark Robins.
