Doncaster Rovers v Wigan Athletic: '˜Whatever people may think it has been a solid enough season'

But Doncaster Rovers’ boss says the club’s hectic, frustrating and goal shy conclusion to the campaign should not cloud a ‘solid enough season’ back in League One.

Rovers bring the curtain down against Wigan Atletic on Saturday and, with Paul Cook’s men requiring a point to wrap up the league title, they will have their work cut out finishing on a high.

But Ferguson is more interested in the bigger picture.

“It’ll be a tough game against a side coming here trying to win the championship,” said Ferguson, whose side are without a win in five games and without a goal in their last four.

“We really put a lot into the Blackburn game.

“The Bury and Oxford games were the disappointments for me. Saturday as well [at Oldham], with the things I mentioned after the game [lack of quality in the final third].

“And Tuesday [against AFC Wimbledon] was simply one game too many. There was energy from some but it was a jaded performance.

“But they’ve given me everything.

“We’ve come up from League Two and we know the difference between League One and League Two is a fair amount.

“We’ve had to deal with an incredible amount of injuries and the players have shown over ten months that they’ve given everything for the cause.

“Whatever people may think it has been a solid enough season.

“Of course, we wanted to finish higher but hopefully we can improve next season.”

James Coppinger, who was rested at the weekend, could return to the side after a niggle also kept him out of Tuesday night.

Luke McCullough, Rodney Kongolo and Alex Kiwomya may add further freshness.

“Saturday is another game,” said Ferguson.

“We won’t do a lot with them on the training ground and it’ll be a case of freshening them up.

“I will try as best I can to get a bit of freshness into the team. I can certainly do that.

“I had no choice but to not play James Coppinger [on Tuesday]. There was no way I was going to risk him.”