Doncaster Rovers should make Grant McCann decision that could quickly become unpopular | OneFootball

Doncaster Rovers have started the season in disappointing fashion. They should stick with Grant McCann, though.

Doncaster Rovers have started the season in disappointing fashion, failing to win any of their opening six league games.

As with any manager during a spell of poor results, Grant McCann has been questioned in some quarters of the Doncaster fanbase. But, he has earned the chance to turn the troubled ship around.

Doncaster Rovers have started the season poorly

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Rovers finished mid-table last term, after rising up the table with surging form after the close of the January transfer window. McCann’s men would have finished in a play-off spot if they had replicated their post-January form for the rest of the campaign.

They had started the season brightly after their League Two title win in 2024/25. But they faded away in a dire run of results that is comparable to the streak they are currently enduring.

This season has started in reverse to the last, with defeats to Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, and AFC Wimbledon since the beginning of the term. Rovers have three points, with draws against local rivals Barnsley, away at Stevenage, and at home to Notts County, sitting 24th in the standings.

Defeats have also come against Championship outfit Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup and against Huddersfield Town in the Vertu Trophy, conceding three in each outing. The only triumph so far came in the season-opening cup game at Stockport County, with an Alfie May goal setting up a penalty shootout win.

However, everything that has followed has been a negative laid upon a negative. Rovers have created plenty of chances, without putting them away. They have underperformed their xG to a greater degree than any other side in the division, and have conceded chances at an all too consistent rate.

McCann took to his X account to proclaim about his side’s start to the campaign. He said: “We know the start hasn’t been what any of us wanted, but doubt us all you want.”

“This group will respond. Nothing is won or lost in September we know that,” he added. It is fighting talk from a manager whose club is sitting rock bottom of their division. But, there is a reason why McCann is bullish given his recent record.

Grant McCann's past success should give him time

Despite the negative mood music, dreadful start to the campaign in terms of results, and failure to put good chances away, McCann deserves his opportunity. The Northern Irishman turned Doncaster around.

He arrived with the club spiraling towards the bottom of League Two, and quickly spun them into being a promotion chaser. They climbed into the play-offs in his first campaign in charge, and then secured the league title in his second.

It was a season of stability in the end last season, but Rovers went the long way round to get there.

Grant McCann decision could become unpopular, but it's time to stick not twist

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Some sections of the Rovers fanbase have started to call for McCann to be removed, with the torrid start to the season and lack of firepower up front key reasons why.

However, this is premature. McCann has rebuilt Doncaster to be where they are today, back as a League One outfit. The former Peterborough United and Hull City manager has earned his stripes, and proven his abilities as a boss at the sharp end of the third tier.

Rovers need to show patience, in a sport that is continually becoming impatient and filled with knee-jerk reactions. McCann has a recent history of turning things around, such as the lengthy winning streak two seasons ago, and the play-off level form after the successful January business last term.

Sticking with McCann could become unpopular if things don't change quickly and Rovers become cut adrift at the bottom of League One. For now, though, it's time to stick rather than twist on a man that's got plenty of credit in the bank at Doncaster.