Fan Panel: Doncaster Rovers supporters give their hopes and predictions for 2021

Six members of our team of supporters have given their thoughts and predictions for the next five months or so.

MATT TEMPORAL

It looks like it’s going to be tight at the top of League One this season and there’s no reason we can’t be one of the teams up there.

So far, we’ve managed to pick up results against teams who are expected to challenge for promotion and we’ve often looked the better side in the games we haven’t won.

There will obviously be a fixture pile-up to contend with but I’m sure this’ll be the case for most teams in our league.

I think our biggest challenge will be keeping the squad together throughout the season. Having a lot of loan signings has worked for us so far this season, but we’ve seen in the past that the loanees can very abruptly be recalled or sent to other clubs (Sam Johnstone comes to mind).

We’ve got to keep hold of Ben Whiteman to have a chance. I’m also worried about Darren Moore attracting the attention of Championship clubs who might be on the lookout for a new manager.

LEE BUCKNELL

Firstly I hope that the season gets finished without Covid-19 putting it to a stop. It’s a shame it’s in the team at the moment and send my wishes to them for recovery. Personally I can see the season being ended but I hope it doesn’t.

As we currently sit fourth in the table I can see the season being successful if we don’t have any injuries etc. We need to be consistent and pick up every point possible to be in with a chance of getting promoted automatically or at-least the playoffs.

I’d like to mention transfers that we ideally could do with. Personally I think we need a keeper, whether it be loan or permanent that has experience.

Secondly I think Ben whiteman will be off after the season ends. Hopefully this doesn’t happen but a player of his quality shouldn’t be playing in League One. If we get promoted however I think there is a slight chance he could stay and it would be a huge factor if it is possible.

Lastly I’d like to say it’s been a pleasure watching James Coppinger over the years as he’s in his final year of his Doncaster Rovers career and wish the best of luck to whatever he does next.

DANIEL NICE

Given we weren’t allowed to go out for New Year’s Eve, the club is in the middle of a tough period due to the pandemic, and the transfer window is about to open, it’s difficult to make too many predictions for 2021.

However there are reasons to be optimistic when you look at the overall picture at Rovers.

The team finished sixth in the ‘calendar year’ table of all 92 Football League clubs, showing how well they performed either side of the six-month hiatus.

And with Darren Moore winning almost half of his Donny league games to date, everything is going in the right direction.

The key to success may well be not becoming fixated on promotion.

Our first target in a tight league where results will fluctuate - although there is little chance of being sucked downwards - is to get to 50 points.

And if Rovers take it one game at a time, work through testing runs of fixtures, deal with the problems the pandemic presents, and keep hold of Ben Whiteman, there’s every chance of a decent end to the 2020 campaign.

Where will that take us ultimately? Who knows? It’s a bit like the world generally.

MIKE FOLLOWS

As we look forward to 2021 there are three things that I hope for as a Rovers fan.

Firstly I very much hope that the season can run its full course without the need for annulment or a points per game resolution. Even if this means an extension to the season it would be preferable to get all 46 League fixtures fulfilled.

Secondly I’m still hopeful that at some stage before the final day of the season we may get to witness some live football at the Keepmoat. It’s been ok watching games online but there’s no substitute for being there to cheer on the lads.

It would be a huge shame for Copps to play out his final season without any fans there to show their appreciation.

Finally – and this could be the biggest ask of all – I would like to see Ben Whiteman leading us to promotion. Having done so well in the first half of the season there’s absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be aiming to go up and keeping hold of Ben would play a huge part in that.

KIERAN O’MALLEY

2021 is starting in a strange way.

No league game until the 16th of January isn’t really ideal as I’d prefer to have points and games played on the board.

My hopes for 2021 are that we get through the full season without any more postponements - realistically though at the minute that isn’t looking very likely.

Like every season, us Donny fans are now beginning to worry about players who are out of contract at the end of the season.

Ideally we would all have liked to have them sorted by now but once again Covid-19 has restricted us to be able to do that. With key players running out of contract I'm hopeful that certain players can renew and be tied down for the foreseeable.

I’d like to hope we continue our form into the new year and carry on pushing for automatic. Having games in hand over certain teams around us can be helpful but as we saw with the Shrewsbury game before Christmas it can hinder us.

Hopefully Ben Whiteman can stay to help us with that push albeit a very unlikely dream that is. However if he is to leave I’d like to think a portion of the big transfer fee could be invested back into player contracts and a replacement.

JAMES BELLAMY

With such a turbulent 2020, my main hope for 2021 is to complete the season.

Last year we looked to be hitting our stride before play stopped. With multiple games postponed already, similar feelings are beginning to emerge.

Providing we can finish the season; my hopes are that we will continue to be in the top six. The memories of that thrilling night at Charlton leaves a taste of unfinished business with the League One Playoffs.

My realistic expectations are slightly lower. Considering the busy schedule over the next five months I think we need to be sensible in what we see as achievable. With a maximum of seven weeks between now and the season end where we don’t play midweek, this squad is going to be tested to the maximum.

As with most years, recruitment will be key. Replacing Sims who looks unlikely to return and finding a solution to our goalkeeper troubles are paramount, with strength in depth needed to keep our challenge alive.

Finally, my one true hope is that I have not already seen my final James Coppinger game in person. It will be a terrible shame if his wonderful career ends in a less than full Keepmoat.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.