FAN PANEL: Injuries no excuse for Doncaster Rovers' slump - Joshua Dainty

There was a sense of optimism in the air and, after emphatic victories over Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle, things were looking good.

Unfortunately, since then Doncaster Rovers have not won in five games and have dropped out of the play-off positions.

Why has it all gone wrong? The hectic schedule is not something to be scoffed at. Professional footballers have never experienced such a chaotic schedule as they have this season.

Furthermore, it’s clear to see the players have not put in the desired amount of effort and concentration, and there has been a lack of quality in the final third.

Changes in personnel and injuries have played a part too but can’t excuse the dramatic slump in form.

If Rovers are to turn things around, Butler will need to stress to his squad that this is one of the best chances in recent history for them to finish in the top six.

Salary caps are in effect but due to be scrapped next season, monetising the league in such a way that may relegate Rovers to mid-table obscurity.

He will have to remind them of their past form and try to bring back their confidence from earlier this season.

Butler needs to turn things around soon though, before this season becomes redundant and we’re waiting for August to roll around again.

Was Butler the right man for the job? Yes, at the time, he was the obvious candidate for a smooth transition having lost Moore.

However, seeing news of Richie Wellens’ questionable sacking by the trigger-happy Salford City board has led me to the opinion that the former Rovers midfield dynamo would be a perfect fit at the Keepmoat.

David Blunt should try and do his utmost to secure his services, potentially with Butler as assistant and learning from a more experienced manager.