Doncaster Rovers aim to find perfect balance as recruitment department set for review

Last summer Rovers revamped their medical department and a similar approach is likely to take place this year with regards the recruitment side of things, headed by Lee Glover.

Chief executive Gavin Baldwin revealed the news at the recent 'Meet the Owners' event saying that the club is in discussions with "analytics firms to see what data tools we can use to support recruitment, to make it easier for the staff".

He highlighted that one benefit would be freeing up more time for McCann and Glover, who are regularly out at games through the week when Rovers are not playing. When asked about the tweaks by the Free Press, McCann says that striking the right balance is crucial.

"It's important you're at games as a manager or a coaching staff or analyst," he said. "It's not just what you see in the game, it's who you speak to afterwards and the things you find out and information about what's happening.

"Me and Gloves speak all the time about it being no coincidence that when you do go to a game the top three or four teams' coaches or managers (in that division) are always there. It's no coincidence because it's hard work to be successful and bring good players in.

"As much as we can, we do like to get out to games. But it's also nice to know a wee bit more about that player such as how does his data stand up against ones we've already got in the building. We can then start forming these kind of databases within the football club so that the process is easy. But it's always going to need you to have your eyes on that player at some point, and to have conversations with people who know them, work with them or have played with them.

"So as much as that side of recruitment is good, I don't think it can all be done digitally. Because you never find out the true identity or person."