From singing his name to taking his advice - Andy Butler on Darren Moore at Doncaster Rovers

The Doncaster-born centre half was a young supporter when Moore played at Rovers in the 1990s. Fast-forward a quarter of a century and Moore brought Butler back for his own second spell earlier this summer.

The personal relationship between the two is still fairly new, but Butler has been impressed with what he has seen from the current Rovers boss so far.

“I saw him a couple of times and I can remember signing you’ll never beat Darren Moore to Wonderwall,” Butler told the Free Press. “I watched him a few times.

“The gaffer is brilliant. He’s easy to get on with and he’s straight to the point. That’s what you want from a manager, someone who talks to you like a person.”

Moore is the third manager Butler has worked under at Rovers and he compares him favourably to former boss Darren Ferguson due to his attention to detail.

And he is enjoying learning from Moore’s methods as he continues his development into the role of Belles manager.

“If I could compare him to a manager it would be Darren Ferguson,” he said.

“I think Darren Ferguson is a brilliant manager. Him and Gavin Strachan improved me no end.

“They’ve all brought their own bit of individuality to it.

“I think Darren Moore really, the key for him is the detail.

“He’s really on the details. With a pass, it’s about which side of the body you receive it on, your receiving skills.

“All the drills are set up on how to pass and receive, on your safe side. It’s got to be a good pass not a slow one otherwise you allow teams back into position. “It’s about breaking lines.

“It’s great to watch for me personally because I’m trying to take things from them into my sessions as well.

“If you could put them together Darren Ferguson and Darren Moore are really similar in their eye for detail, on the opposition especially with Alex the analyst as well.

“He picks up little bits and they put them onto pre and post match meetings. The level of detail is incredible.”

Butler was also full of praise for assistant manager Jamie Smith, whose dynamic with Moore he believes is key to the positive and productive environment at the club.

“He’s brilliant for us,” he said.

“When the players have had the game and they have the recovery, the first team will go with Darren first off and do a little cool down.

“Sivvy will take us. It’s difficult to motivate players that aren’t in the side but he gets the sessions spot on with the burst of high intensity work as well as the detailed work we’re doing.

“He’s key to what the manager is doing.

“When they do pre and post match talks, they bounce off each other. It’s good for the lads to hear two different voices on the match. They’re both singing from the same hymn sheet. It’s great for what we’re trying to do.”

*

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.