Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson well aware of importance of good start

Darren Ferguson is acutely aware that Doncaster Rovers must get next season off to a good start.
Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

Following relegation to League Two, the Scot fully expects a backlash from supporters if his team don’t burst of the blocks.

And that’s not the only reason he says it is vital Rovers hit the ground running.

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“The one thing about League Two is that the opening three months of the season is important, because once you get to November and December the pitches turn,” said Ferguson.

“They’re not great. So if you want to play football, you’ve got to start well.

“The start of the season is going to be very important for us,” he added.

“We want to make sure we get the fans onside. We won’t get much time next season.

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“If we start the season badly, there’s no question that quite rightly the fans will be on us.”

Rovers’ players will report back at Cantley Park for fitness tests a week today, before pre-season training commences on June 27.

“I had a word with the players [after the last game of the season] and told them to make sure they were ready for when we come back,” Ferguson said.

“They know what I expect. We’ve got to hit the ground running, there’s no question about that.”

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Meanwhile, the futures of several former Rovers loanees became clearer on Friday when the Premier League published retained and released lists for every club.

Everton have offered a new contract to midfielder Conor Grant and released defender Felipe Mattioni.

Riccardo Calder has signed a new deal at Aston Villa.