It won't be too long before flimsy rumours turn into something more genuine when it comes to Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore

There is nothing quite like a betting market shift to spark fervent conversation among football supporters, particularly when it comes to managers.
Darren MooreDarren Moore
Darren Moore

And so it was inevitable there would be panicky questions earlier this week when Darren Moore shot to the top of the market for the next Barnsley boss - and odds-on at that.

Such betting markets are incredibly dubious at the best of times. Odds are driven by where money is being placed, or where interest may be - particular in the modern era of online betting where such things can be tracked quickly.

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So when a particular market is quiet, even the smallest amount of money laid down can generate big shifts in prices. Or an enquiry about a specific individual’s odds, however sincere it may be.

In short, it is best not to take too much notice of what the bookies are saying, at least in the first few days of a manager market opening.

It nevertheless forces club journalists to do a bit of digging, just to make sure. And more often that not, there will be a rather bemused manager or club official on the other end of the phone or a text conversation who has not got a clue what you are talking about.

But it is probably something writers and supporters of Doncaster Rovers are going to have to get used to as time goes on.

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Moore is very highly regarded - but in public circles and behind the scenes at clubs across the country.

His reputation was high before he took the Rovers job and he has succeeded in enhancing it since he arrived at the Keepmoat 15 months ago in what always felt like a coup of an appointment.

Moore’s work with young players, particularly with the manner in which he has aided the development of loanees from top flight clubs, has made people sit up and take notice.

It certainly helped with his moves in the loan market over the summer, something addressed in the calibre and reputation of those youngsters he managed to bring in.

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But other clubs too will want to take advantage of such skills, particularly in football’s current financial climate where development of players will be increasing in its value.

The manner in which he has got Rovers playing on the pitch will not hurt his reputation either. Possession based, attack minded and, at its best, thrilling.

Should that continue and the results remain largely positive, it will not be long before Gavin Baldwin’s phone is ringing with serious enquiries backed by bulging wallets.

There has always felt an inevitability about that, ever since he walked in the door.

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Moore was at no point going to Barnsley. It appears he was not even on their list of potential targets. Nor, earlier in the summer, was there any remote chance of him jumping ship to Bolton Wanderers.

But it is not likely to be too long before rumoured interest is replaced by something a lot more genuine - and troubling from a Rovers perspective.

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