Ben Close praised under pressure Doncaster Rovers manager Danny Schofield for making himself and his Donny teammates better players, in an interview on the official Doncaster Rovers website.
This interview came about in spite of Doncaster’s recent inconsistent form, with Danny Schofield’s men winning only two League Two matches in their last six fixtures. Disappointing defeats to the likes of Harrogate Town and Sutton United have led to some open fan discontent.
Still, the squad at Doncaster Rovers are clearly behind their Head Coach even with poor results stacking up. It could be argued that Danny Schofield’s style of play suits midfielders such as Ben Close. The former Huddersfield boss’s philosophy of attractive and free-flowing football will allow for the former Portsmouth midfielder to dictate play through the centre when called upon.
Likewise, when it works, Doncaster do pick up some convincing wins – a 2-0 away win at Swindon Town is evidence of this style of football working. Concerns, however, arise when Rovers fail to capitalise on the momentum, Schofield’s men have 15 wins in League Two this season but they also have 15 losses. This leaves Doncaster in an underwhelming 12th spot in the division, nine points off where they want to be in the playoff spots.
For a side relegated from League One last season, this could be considered an underwhelming campaign to date.
Regardless, Ben Close was complimentary of Danny Schofield even with some Doncaster fans beginning to lose patience with their manager.
He said: “I think anything in football takes time. If you’re trying to really change something at a club, it’s going to take time. That’s what’s happening here. We’re trying to play a certain brand of football with certain player profiles and I think that takes time.
“We’ve got a group here that have learned a lot this season and it’s only going to help us going forward. The same players next season will be better players for what they’ve learned and taken in. This kind of thing takes time and some transfer windows as well but I think it’s an exciting time for the club.”
The Donny midfielder even spoke of his aspirations to return to League One, a level Donny will aspire to reach again in the near future.
He said:“I’ve played in League One earlier in my career and you’re playing at massive clubs. Away games are massive days out for supporters and players. You’re playing in great stadiums against really good opposition and it’s enjoyable. Everybody wants to play higher.”
Writer’s View
Ben Close and his Doncaster teammates clearly respect Danny Schofield as a manager for what he’s trying to implement at the South Yorkshire club, but if you’re a football fan, the results at the end of the day are the be all and end all.
Suggestions that Danny Schofield should be sacked could be argued as premature, managers do need time to stamp their authority and style on a team. But, with an expectant fanbase clearly upset about their current standing in League Two, Schofield’s future could be in the balance.
For Schofield’s sake, let’s hope his Donny side can put together some form and back up Ben Close’s glowing assessment.
