Crewe v Doncaster Rovers: Danny Schofield reveals Sean O'Driscoll inspiration

He can also recall those happier spells at their modern abode under Sean O'Driscoll - the best period in the club's history, for sure.

Schofield is not naive enough to openly predict he will recreate anything like those times, but the legendary ex-Rovers boss certainly left a mark upon him alongside many other Doncastrians.

With his coaching 'hat' on, the 42-year-old says there was also so much to admire from him.

Schofield, who arrives at his home town club just over a month after being sacked by Huddersfield Town, said: "I watched the club when they played at Belle Vue as a fan and have also followed the club through its recent times.

"I was a real big fan of when Sean O'Driscoll was here and thought the football he played was aligned with how I saw the game and it's a club close to my heart."

Rovers supporters will be seeking to see traces of the Schofield style in the weeks and months ahead, maybe starting at Crewe.

So will the club's hierarchy, who cited their collective disappointment at not seeing a 'particular style of play and overall identity' - and not just results - in the decision to part company with Gary McSheffrey.

On his footballing credos, Schofield added: “I want us to play with a high intensity and we need to get to that level where the physical levels of players can compete.

“I am a coach who wants to dominate possession of the ball, but progress to attack and not just keep the ball and circulate it, but actually attack with good positional play with a really good defensive solidity, but pressing from a structure.

"It is an aggressive style of play, to be attacking and creating chances.”