Sponsored by
Safety first says Stock
DONCASTER Rovers skipper Brian Stock has warned supporters not to set their sights too high next season.
Rovers' record in the second half of the season was better than most of the clubs who finished above them - including champions, Wolves.
That has led to some fans tipping Rovers to be challenging for promotion to the Premier League next season.
"I think survival in the Championship again next season would be a massive achievement," he told The Star. "To achieve that two years on the trot would be good.
"Quite a few promoted clubs stay in the league above one year and then go down the next. To maintain our place in the Championship will be our main objective."
Yet, when pressed, the influential midfielder does not rule out Rovers mounting a top-six challenge.
"Potentially, with the players we've got, we've got every chance of doing better than we did last season," he said. "But we can't afford to put pressure on ourselves.
"The size of our squad isn't as big as most clubs in this league. If you look at the teams who were automatically promoted, the size of their squad and the money they spent on players was far more than us on both counts.
"I suppose that Burnley, who were promoted via the play-offs, were the exception. I thought that they were terrific.
"They didn't have the budget or size of squad that the other top six sides had, but they were very lucky with injuries.
"If you look at the number of players they used, it was less than anybody else despite the fact that they also had two good cup runs."
Like his teammates, Stock is anxiously awaiting the publication of the 2009-10 fixtures next week."
"Some big clubs, such as Newcastle and Middlesbrough, came down from the Premier League last season, which is brilliant." he said.
"They are the grounds that I am most looking forward to going to next season. Last season it was Southampton, because I'm from down there, but they were relegated."
What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Owls Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Watch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much more
Football headlines
More Blades
More Owls
More Spireites
More Rovers
More Reds
More Millers
More Ice Hockey
More rugby league
More rugby union
More boxing
Sports columnists
All sport categories
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
