Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann believes his side will be competing with League Two big-spenders Wrexham, Notts County, and Stockport County, in a defiant message to supporters at a recent Q&A session.
Rovers are among a number of clubs that have heavily invested in their side, with nine new players following McCann through the door at the Eco Power Stadium.
Owner Terry Bramall has provided the 43-year-old with what he calls a ‘significant financial injection‘, although Doncaster do not possess the Hollywood riches of Wrexham, who will face Manchester United and Chelsea on a pre-season tour of the US.
The South Yorkshire side have the most impressive pedigree in recent history out of all 24 League Two teams, spending 17 of the last 20 seasons in League One or the Championship.
Tipped as promotion contenders this season, Rovers endured their worst season since returning to the Football League 20 years ago, with an 18th placed finish in League Two prompting the board to reappoint the popular Northern Irishman in May.
The Belfast-born man first managed Doncaster in 2018/19, leading them to the League One play-off semi-finals, however, he shortly made the switch across Yorkshire to Championship side Hull City at the end of the season.
It has been a downward spiral at the Eco Power Stadium since that play-off semi-final, although only goal difference separated them from the automatic promotion spots under Darren Moore as recently as February 2021.
His departure to Sheffield Wednesday the following month sparked a capitulation in Rovers form, with the Club dropping to 14th, before relegation from England’s third tier ensued in 2021/22.
What has McCann said?
“We’re a big club,” was McCann’s response when questioned on the spending power of the three aforementioned sides.
“Them teams will be looking at us, let me tell you that.
“Myself and Cliff (Byrne, assistant manager), when we were speaking about coming back to Doncaster, our remit was to come back here and get out of this league as quickly as we can.
“There are a lot of teams spending money in it, but it’s not about that. I have got a good friend, Michael Duff, who has just moved to Swansea.
“He won League Two (with Cheltenham in 20/21) on a £1.2 million budget, so it’s what you have in your building. It’s how you perform. It’s how you train.
“We feel as if we have got a good group, so hopefully we can be in and around it.”
On completing the job this time around, McCann added:
“Absolutely. I’m always honest.
“It was one of the questions the board asked me: ‘why did you leave at the first opportunity?’
“When someone offers you quadruple the money it’s hard to turn down. I’m back to try and win back the trust.
“I’m really pleased to be back here. I feel energised again.”
Writer’s View
It is set to be one of the strongest and most competitive League Two seasons for some time. There are a number of ambitious sides alongside Doncaster this season, and newcomers Wrexham and Notts County will be fighting right at the very top end of the league.
The usual suspects of Stockport, Bradford, and Mansfield will be hoping it’s their year, Gillingham have already expressed their intentions this window, and MK Dons will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.
