Sometimes in football, a January transfer window can make or break a season. In Doncaster Rovers case, it certainly must make their season.
As the January transfer window shuts, Rovers are far from in the clear this season, as they are in the thick of a League One relegation battle, after inconsistent results saw them falter down the table, where they sit 17th, just two points above the drop.
Grant McCann knew this window would be pivotal, as it has been in the previous two seasons. He also knew the budget wouldn’t be big, so Donny would have to work smarter rather than spectacularly.
Loans and free transfers were the way Rovers went for January, hoping to add stability to a side that was leaking too many goals, and not firing at the right end either, but has McCann done enough to steer The Reds north of the drop?
The standout signing of the window was undoubtedly Elliot Lee. The 31-year-old joined on loan from Wrexham on deadline day.
Having scored eight goals and got three assists on the way to helping Wrexham earn promotion from this division last campaign, it was a huge coup for a side who are trying to not fall through the trap door.
Speaking to the Doncaster Rovers website, Lee said he turned down offers elsewhere to join the South Yorkshire side:
‘‘I’ve rejected teams higher up this league and I’ve rejected teams at the top of the league below.’’
‘’I love the way he plays. I love the way he wants me to play and it’s nice to feel valued again by the manager.’’
Lee’s transfer came as a result of an injury to their other January forward, Francis Okoronkwo.
The striker joined on loan from Everton after spending the first half of the campaign at high-flying Lincoln City.
Despite doubts over the loan, Okoronkwo has been a physical presence up top for Donny and has always been a willing runner for the side.
He notched his first goal on his fourth appearance vs Wigan Athletic, but a hamstring injury has ruled him out for the majority of February, opening the door for Elliot Lee, who started in Rovers recent 2-1 win vs Burton Albion, earning praise online from Rovers fan after a positive first outing in a Doncaster shirt.
At the other end of the pitch, Neill Byrne joined on loan from Yorkshire rivals Bradford City.
Going into the January window, Donny had the worst defensive record in the league, so defensive reinforcement was needed.
Byrne brings physicality and an aerial presence to a back line that conceded 16 goals in five League games in December.
Byrne made an immediate impact, as he kept a clean sheet in Rovers’ 3-0 win vs Leyton Orient, before helping Donny to the forementioned 1-2 win vs Burton, in a game where they faced 50 crosses and 20 corners.
Behind Byrne, Scottish keeper Zander Clark joined Doncaster on loan from Scottish League leaders Hearts after long-serving keeper Ian Lawlor was sold to Crewe Alexandra for an undisclosed fee.
The 33-year-old has been a solid addition between the sticks, having two clean sheets from his first four games.
However, at the time of writing, Clark himself picked up an unknown injury before Rovers’ game vs Burton, so missed that game and it is unknown how long he will be out for
Whilst Doncaster’s overall window won’t be making many headlines across the footballing world, McCann will be more focused on the fact these signings were necessities rather than ambitious ones.
Experienced names with no major fees are what the Rovers gaffer will want to aid their short-term vision of staying in the third tier.
McCann has steered Donny clear of danger before in his tenure, the question is now, has his transfer window been enough to do it again?
