Now all the business is done: Our Doncaster Rovers writer selects his strongest XI

Adding depth to his squad was the primary goal of Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore as the final days of the transfer window rolled around.
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And with the acquisitions of Matt Smith and Josh Sims on deadline day, he managed to achieve just that.

Moore is now in the desired position where he has a variety of options in every position on the park barring right back.

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The Rovers manager favours a settled side in the main - though in busy periods he will take players out of his starting XI that he feels are in need of a rest.

Rovers celebrate with Madger Gomes after his goal against Bristol RoversRovers celebrate with Madger Gomes after his goal against Bristol Rovers
Rovers celebrate with Madger Gomes after his goal against Bristol Rovers

So it will be interesting to see the players that are given the nod by the manager on a regular basis.

There is likely to be plenty of debate among Rovers supporters about the strongest XI - as there has been already this season.

So our Rovers writer Liam Hoden has thrown in his two penn’orth in and selected an XI of his own.

GOALKEEPER – Josef Bursik

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The England U21 international has been impressive so far without having to do a great deal of the flashy side of goalkeeping. He has made only 11 saves so far this season. But the manner in which he has quickly built a relationship with his back four when in possession has been really impressive. He looks to be a very good young goalkeeper and I think he will only blossom as the season wears on, particularly as he is pushed all the way by Louis Jones, whose time will certainly come.

RIGHT BACK – Brad Halliday

There’s not really another option in this position with Charlie Seaman out on loan but Halliday would take some shifting at right back in my opinion. His ability going forward has been vital for the way Rovers have played so far this season, including his understanding with Jon Taylor.

CENTRE HALVES – Joe Wright and Tom Anderson

No disrespect to any of the other options for this position but I don’t think there can be any debate about the ideal centre back pairing. The partnership between Wright and Anderson was superb last season but seems to have gone from strength to strength since. Strong, powerful, composed and commanding - they have a good shout of being the best pairing in the division.

LEFT BACK – Reece James

This is a position where Rovers have plenty of options but I’m sticking with James who I believe is the best all round left back at the club. So far this season he has shone with his ability going forward, getting ahead of the wide player on the overlap and delivering crosses. He’s comfortable in defence also.

SITTING MIDFIELDERS – Ben Whiteman and Matt Smith

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I am assuming Moore will largely stick with his favoured 4-2-3-1 system, despite having veered away from it much more so far this term than he did in the whole of the last one. And I think the addition of Smith will allow him to do that as it sees a proper defensive midfielder added to the squad, and makes why for the dynamic that Whiteman shared so successfully with Ben Sheaf last season.

Plenty will notice Madger Gomes is the one to drop out, which was not the easiest of decisions given the form he has shown in front of goal. But I think Rovers have lacked presence and bite in midfield to prevent opposition teams from wrestling control of the game away, as we have seen in the last two fixtures. Smith should offer that, while also bringing the ability to burst forward too, which would continue the trend of fluidity in midfield.

On Whiteman, there is really no discussion needed. And having someone reliable as a blocker beside him should only free him up more.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS – Jon Taylor, Taylor Richards and James Coppinger

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This is the area where you are most likely to see plenty of shuffling as the season wears on, with plenty of potential options in each of the positions.

I’ve gone with tried and tested so far, but these are the positions I could see myself wavering on sooner than others as Jason Lokilo, Josh Sims and Rayhaan Tulloch argue their cases.

The lock in that line of three for me is Richards, who has been very impressive since joining in the summer. His work rate and smart pressing ability is key for Rovers and helps to keep them on the front foot, and more importantly win the ball back high up the pitch. He brings others into the game superbly too.

Taylor has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and has consistently looked the biggest threat for Rovers. But it is his understanding with Halliday that gives him the edge right now over other potential options in the position. The way the pair work together has been an important factor so far this season.

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And the same on the opposite flank too with James Coppinger, who works so well with James down the left side. He also offers something very different to the other options on the wings with his ability to slow things down and speed them up quickly.

STRIKER – Tyreece John-Jules

This position was probably the toughest to select but I’ve gone with potential and what we’ve seen in flashes in selecting John-Jules. The Arsenal loanee has undoubted quality on the ball and looks a very exciting prospect indeed. He’s explosive, hard working and has shown already his ability to produce something from nothing.

That is not to doubt the contribution of Fejiri Okenabirhie who I’m sure will get plenty of opportunities to stake a claim, particularly at times when Rovers need a proper focal point and someone with his ability to hold up the ball.

But I’ve liked the dynamic John-Jules has created with those players behind him so far and I’d like to see more of it.

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