Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson says he is right man for '˜long-term project'

Double defeat to relegation rivals Colchester United and Blackpool over the Easter weekend left Rovers four points from safety with only seven games to go.

Ferguson insists he always knew improving the club would be a long term project but admitted relegation was never part of the plan.

And he has urged supporters to stick by him and the team over the next five weeks and beyond.

“The run we’re on is horrendous but I’m convinced I’ll get it right at this football club,” Ferguson told the Free Press.

“People might say ‘you’ve not won in 15 games, how can you say that?’

“But I’m convinced in what we’re doing and that long term we’ll get it right.

“We didn’t want to, if the worst came to the worst, go down. Of course we didn’t.

“But I urge the fans to stick with this because it’s a long term project.

“That’s easier said than done because they’re very frustrated at the moment.”

“I felt the fans were really good against Blackpool and stuck with us during difficult circumstances.”

Ferguson insists his overall vision for Rovers has not changed and believes he is the man to take the club into the future.

The Scot and senior figures at the club have long spoken of exciting plans for the summer, hinting at structural changes within Rovers’ football arm.

Ferguson reiterated changes are needed to put the club on the right path - even if Rovers secure survival this season.

He said: “I’ve spoken about this before and I think I’ve been consistent in what I’ve said since I’ve been at the football club. I speak about what I came into.

“I’m not having a go at anyone individually and I’m not going to pass the buck.

“Fifteen games without a win is terrible.

“I’m the manager. I tell them how to play. I pick the team.

“But, looking at the bigger picture which is what I have to do as a manager and which is what the board will do, this was always going to be a long term thing.

“We always hoped we’d never been in the position but we find ourselves in it.

“But it’s still going to be a long term project.

“Nothing is going to change.”

Rovers head to Rochdale this weekend having endured the worst 12 game run – one point from 36 available – in the club’s history.

The two sides directly above them in the table – Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town – both hold games in hand and four point leads over Rovers.