We asked a fan of each team give us their thoughts on the 2018-19 season. Have a read of their responses and enjoy!
1.In your opinion, how did 2018-19 go for your side?
Fantastically well, reaching the Play Offs was an excellent achievement. Some outlets tipped us for relegation at the start of the season and, although we felt that was harsh at the outset, I don’t think many truly thought we would compete in the top 6 like we did for the majority of the season. Grant McCann came in as the new manager fairly late in pre-season, we didn’t make many signings but felt we had under-achieved the previous season under Darren Ferguson, so progressing to become a top half team was probably the tempered aim back in August. We blew that aim out of the water and spent a lot of the season in the top 6, have had some of the best young talent in the division in loanees Herbie Kane and Mallik Wilks and played positive, attacking football throughout.
2.What was your favourite moment in 2018-19?
For me, it was Ben Whiteman’s last-minute penalty to win the FA Cup 4th Round tie against Oldham. It sealed a place in the 5th Round for the club for the first time in 63 years, it was a terrific atmosphere that day both from the home and away fans, and on a personal note, the night before the game we lost my Grandad to Alzheimer’s. He was a lifelong Rovers fan, the first person to videotape the team’s matches back in the 1950s and we felt there was perhaps a bit of divine intervention on the field that day to get that late penalty. That feeling when the ball hit the back of the net will stay with me for a long, long time.
3.What was your worst moment in 2018-19?
I should probably say that it was when Tommy Rowe’s penalty went wide to knock us out of the Play Offs at Charlton last week, but I’m not sure that even tops the feeling of being trounced at home by Joey Barton’s Fleetwood. It was early in the season, but we lost 4-0 and were 3-0 down at half time despite peppering their goal. One of those days in hindsight, but at the time it was infuriating, between our sheer collapse at the back and the arrogance and gamesmanship of Barton and his players, particularly Ched Evans.
4.Which player impressed you the most on your team?
John Marquis. 26 goals is a terrific return for any striker, but he works so hard for the team too. He always wants more, he’s never satisfied. If he scores two goals, he comes off annoyed that he didn’t get three. He’s received a bit of stick from our fans at times which is baffling because his achievements are right up there in Rovers history and he leads from the front. He has progressed and gotten better in each of his three years playing for the club and we’d be foolish to wish him away this summer.
5.Which opposition player made the biggest impression?
Lyle Taylor of Charlton. I would have given the same answer last season to be fair, but he is just a brilliant centre forward at this level. He’s strong, skilful, got great movement and scores goals. He’s also a real nuisance. I think we kept him relatively quiet in the Play Off 2nd Leg last week but he was perhaps Man of the Match in the first leg and he was very good in the league game at the Keepmoat as well.
6.What are your hopes for 2019-20?
A sustained push for promotion has to be on the cards. Grant McCann has already said that is his aim, and I see no reason to suggest that it isn’t possible. We will need to sign a lot of players this season as quite a few are leaving, but that’s the nature of football at this level. Personally I’ll be happy if we compete in the top 6 again, we’ve proven capable of that and I always want to see progression on the previous season. If we can blend a bit more experience into the talented younger players we have, and we continue to play proactive, passing football then I’ll be happy enough.
7.Which area of the team needs most improvement for next season?
We need new players all over the pitch unfortunately, as many are on their way out. Kane and Wilks won’t be returning, we are saying goodbye to Marko Marosi, Andy Butler and probably Tommy Rowe as well so it’s tough to say where the top priority lies. Potentially in midfield I’d say, with Kane and Rowe both in need of replacing. Whoever comes in to fill those roles will have to be the right fit because a lot of our play comes through there, and how the ball is distributed to wide areas in the attacking third. If we keep hold of Marquis and Whiteman then I’d say we’ve got a good foundation already, but it will all come down to where the money is spent over the summer. It’s easier to get like-for-like replacements in defence and with a goalkeeper, or a fast winger, in my opinion than it is to get a creative midfielder who can provide the sort of output that we need, so I’ll be keen to see how McCann approaches the recruitment there.
words Adam Stubbings, Doncaster Rovers fan