2009/10 Championship Preview: Doncaster Rovers

Last updated : 17 July 2009 By @blades_mad1889

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Doncaster Rovers - James Chambers (L) battles for the ball with Ryan Jarvis (R).

Image copyright to SportBox.TV
Rovers first season in the Championship was an epic journey of discovery, they were in the bottom three for the most of the season until around Christmas time when they shot up the league.

In the transfer market this summer (at the time of writing) Rovers have yet to make any signings but have allowed Darren Byfield, Gareth Taylor (former Sheffield United striker) and Toni Ameobi to leave the club. Gordon Greer (Swindon Town), Jason Price (Millwall) and Ritchie Wellens (Leicester City) have also left the club in cash sales.

There is of course the pending departure of defender Matt Mills who probably looks set to leave the Keepmoat Stadium in a deal worth over £1,000,000.

Doncaster Rovers escaped the peril that is relegation last season by finishing a comfortable 14th but this time round may be different; they played good attractive football at times but didn't quite have the quality of players that suited this Division.

However Sean O'Driscoll is allowed to utilise the £1,000,000 fee made on the sale of Ritchie Wellens then the club may steer well away from the drop zone - otherwise they may fall foul!

Blades-Mad Predicted Finish: 21st (if lucky)

Betting Odds:
Promotion:Relegation:
22/13/1

2008-09 Players Statistics

Player NamePositionDoB#AppsGoals
Sullivan, Neil
Goal24 Feb 19701510
O'Connor, James
Defence20 Nov 1984235 (+1)1
Roberts, Gareth
Defence06 Feb 1978329 (+6)1
van Nieuwstadt, Jos
Defence19 Nov 1979410 (+7)1
Mills, Matt
Defence14 Jul 19865450
Chambers, James
Defence20 Nov 1980638 (+3)0
Guy, Lewis
Forward27 Aug 1985722 (+11)2
Stock, Brian
Midfield24 Dec 19818408
Lockwood, Adam
Defence26 Oct 19811112 (+13)0
Hayter, James
Forward09 Apr 19791214 (+14)4
Smith, Ben
Goal05 Sep 19861300
Heffernan, Paul
Forward29 Dec 19811421 (+12)10
Wilson, Mark
Midfield09 Feb 19791516 (+8)1
Shiels, Dean
Forward01 Feb 1985166 (+6)1
Woods, M, Martin
Midfield01 Jan 19861740 (+6)2
McDaid, Sean
Defence06 Mar 19861800
Wellens, Richie
Midfield26 Mar 198019443
Spicer, John
Midfield13 Sep 19832031 (+4)1
Hird, Sam
Defence07 Sep 19872138 (+4)2
Elliott, Stuart
Forward23 Jul 1978253 (+7)0
Coppinger, James
Midfield10 Jan 19812633 (+4)5
Fairhurst, Waide
Forward07 May 1989290 (+3)0
Brooker, Steve
Forward21 May 1981320 (+1)1
Woods, G, Gary
Goal01 Oct 1990330 (+1)0
Clark, Robert
Midfield30 Apr 19913400
Fisher, Charles
Defence20 Oct 19903500

* Statistics up to and including 26 May 2009