Doncaster Rovers 1 Coventry City 1: Hero Hayter backs arrival of Doncaster mercenaries

IT is a subject that has split Doncaster Rovers supporters in the last few weeks with traditionalists arguing that it could lead to dressing room unrest.

Yet on the evidence of this game, who is to say that the ‘short-term’ route will not bring good things for Doncaster Rovers this season?

Chairman John Ryan and manager Dean Saunders are firmly united in the belief that providing a brief shop window for a few ‘out of favour’ stars can only help bring Premier League football to the Keepmoat Stadium.

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Put simply, Rovers are getting top players for a fraction of their normal pay in exchange for a financial reward if they find a new club in the New Year transfer window.

That money, in turn, would allow Saunders to invest in longer-term signings for the club.

The danger, according to some, is that the players who arrive on short-term deals will show no commitment to the club and will be acting purely as mercenaries during their stay.

But could not the same charge be levelled at any player who moves on loan anywhere in English football during the course of a season?

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When a Championship player drops down to play League One football for a month or two, are they not also thinking of a way to stay in the higher division?

The reason loan deals and short-term signings work is that all parties stand to benefit if the relationship is a success.

The main reason Rovers appear to be getting criticised is that they have been so open and honest about the whole situation.

Admittedly, the involvement of and agent, Willie McKay, may also have triggered some of the bullets flying Rovers’ way.

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But forget about McKay and what he may or may not make out of the arrangement, the only thing that really matters to supporters is whether the new arrivals perform and whether the team is winning.

Both Pascal Chimbonda and Herita Ilunga – the first players to start the ball rolling – emerged from this game against Coventry City with their heads held high.

Saunders described Chimbonda as the ‘best player on the pitch’ and Ilunga agreed to play in a totally unfamiliar role in centre midfield in order to help the club.

Striker James Hayter, scorer of the equalising goal for Rovers, had nothing but praise for the pair and said the shift in the club’s transfer strategy bodes well for the future.

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“They’ve been there and done it,” he said. “You can see their quality on the ball and they just don’t panic.

“They have come here and put in the work that’s needed and, if they didn’t, the management wouldn’t play them.

“It can only bode well for the future that we have players like that coming into the team,” Hayter added. “Bringing in players like them can only benefit us. It’s a good policy. They come in, they train hard and they have obvious quality. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

Striker Billy Sharp was a surprise absentee from the Rovers line-up fuelling rumours of a transfer from the club.

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However, Saunders made it clear that the only reason for his absence was a ‘personal problem’.

Without both Sharp and Jon Parkin, whose loan deal from Cardiff City had expired, Rovers were short of attacking options.

Hayter returned to the side and was supported by wingers Kyle Bennett and Giles Barnes.

Saunders dropped centre-back Sam Hird and moved George Friend out to left-back – recalling Shelton Martis and Richard Naylor in the centre of his backline.

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The pair offered greater strength and experience and, apart from a couple of minor slips, justified their selection.

In midfield, there was a new role for left-back Ilunga replacing the injured John Oster.

Rovers made a decent start and Chimbonda was heavily involved in his role as an attacking rightback.

The former French international began a move that should have led to a goal – but Bennett’s close-range header was straight at Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

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Barnes and Naylor had also spurned opportunities from corners before Coventry took the lead against the run of play – Sammy Clingan’s shot sailing beyond goalkeeper Neil Sullivan from 25 yards.

Sullivan also had to tip over a shot from Carl Baker as Coventry enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Rovers got back on level terms after 60 minutes when Hayter escaped the attentions of the Coventry defence and scored from close range.

Substitute James Coppinger unlocked the door with a deft chip into the area.

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Rovers survived a couple of late scares and a mix-up between Naylor and Ilunga so nearly let in Lucas Jutkiewicz.

Reflecting on his side’s late opportunities, Coventry manager Andy Thorn, whose side are three points and one place above Rovers in the relegation zone, described the draw as ‘two points lost’.

But for Rovers it was a point won and, perhaps even more significantly, a point proven.

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