John Ryan had considered his own position after Rovers Rout.

DONCASTER Rovers chairman John Ryan has moved to ease pressure on manager Sean O'Driscoll following the club's slide into the Championship relegation zone.

During a meeting between the two men yesterday, O'Driscoll was told that his job was not under threat and that money is available to sign a new striker.

Athough Ryan expressed disappointment at the club's recent results, he also made it clear that 'survival' is still the only requirement as Rovers adjust to life in the Championship after a
50-year absence.

The Yorkshire Post can reveal that Ryan had also considered his own position in the wake of last weekend's 4-1 defeat to local rivals Barnsley.

Ryan questioned whether it would be still possible to take the club forward under his leadership – after the glory of winning three promotions and trips to both Wembley and the Millennium Stadium in the last five years.

The multi-millionaire Rovers supporter arrived at the decision, however, that his adventure was far from over and that it would be in the best interests of both parties for him to remain at the helm.

Rovers have suffered defeats in their last six league games – the worst sequence of results since the club's relegation from the Football League 10 years ago – and are three away from equalling a club record of nine consecutive defeats set in 1905.

With no competitive game this weekend due to the international break, both Ryan and O'Driscoll felt it was an appropriate time to reflect on the club's start to the season and discuss where the club goes next.

Ryan said: "No-one is putting their heads in the sand – we are second bottom of the Championship table and we want to improve that situation – but both Sean and I agree that our performances have warranted better results.

"I was bitterly disappointed after the Barnsley game and I did think that maybe I should quit... but this club needs stability, that is the main reason why we have had so much success over these last five or six years.

"There will be no changing of the manager either," he stressed. "In fact, I see Sean O'Driscoll in this job for many more years to come."

Assessing the club's season so far, Ryan said: "It was never going to be easy for us because you can't expect to keep going up without things getting tougher – but I am confident that we will stay up and, as long as we do, that will feel just as good as any promotion."

O'Driscoll will now step up his bid to sign a striker on loan before the club's next game against Blackpool on October 18.

Rovers, meanwhile, are in action against a team of 'Rovers Legends' on Sunday at the Keepmoat Stadium to raise funds for the cash-strapped Doncaster Rovers Belles.

The game kicks-off at 2.30pm and will feature a host of former favourites including Brian Deane, Dave Penney, Francis Tierney and Ian Snodin.


The news about John Ryan is worrying. I don't want to see him having doubts. Big positives that the funds for a striker are in place and that SOD's had the 'vote of confidence'. JR's right in that we need to stick together.

TIME to F*CK OFF RYAN WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

 

Changed his tune a bit hasn't he? nt