Doncaster Rovers are still looking for a replacement for John Marquis, as reported by the Doncaster Free Press.
Marquis was a key part of their run to the top six last season, but he was sold to Portsmouth ahead of the new campaign, giving manager Darren Moore a problem to solve heading into the season. He loaned in Niall Ennis and Kazaiah Sterling from Spurs, but neither had settled with injuries and form posing problems.
That’s led to chief executive Gavin Baldwin confirming that Moore is still hunting the ideal man to replace Marquis, who himself has struggled since arriving on the south coast.
“What I am learning about Darren, and this is a huge compliment, is that he’s stubborn,” Baldwin said. “He will have a player that he wants to bring in and if he has to wait, he will back himself with the squad that he’s got to do very well, which he is doing. He would not get a player in on a two-year contract because it’s a quick fix and he needs someone now.”
He went on to reveal that much of the Marquis income is being used to spread across the squad, rather than in one area, but that Moore does still have a target in mind to add value to their attack.
“We could have gone in for a striker and structured a deal to replicate what we are receiving for John,” he added.
“Or we could use it to boost the playing budget for the next two years and that is the decision we have taken. It is about giving us the best chance each year rather than blowing it in one go and risk injury for instance.
“Having said that, Darren has got signature players he wants to talk to and who he is talking to and may come in in the future.”
Rovers are currently 11th in the table, four points outside the top six but with games in hand due to Bury and Bolton’s woes.
Our View
It’s an interesting question that is bound to have different answers; should Doncaster have spent their income on a marquee striker, or are they better taking this measured approach?
The reactive fan would almost certainly scream for a high-profile replacement, but those who exercise a little more caution might see the bigger picture.
Football is very much a game in which you’re judged on immediate results though, which means Moore’s approach is either risky, or based on assurances he won’t be dismissed if results start to go against him.
Given his popularity in Doncaster, it’s likely to be the latter.
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