Doncaster Rovers 2 Leyton Orient 0: Only the title will be enough for new man Flynn

The 57-year-old officially replaced fellow Welshman Dean Saunders last Thursday to return to club management after over eight years away and is loving the day-to-day involvement.

Rovers have recorded two wins under Flynn since Saunders left for Wolves and the transition has been seamless – Saturday’s victory being as comfortable as any 2-0 win can be.

“I have a big plan for next season – when you are older and a bit wiser you can do that. All my plans are in place,” said Flynn, who had two spells as a player with Rovers during a distinguished career which brought him 66 international caps.

“Oh yes, I am looking at it as a long-term plan. Lengths of contracts have never concerned me. I went 14 years without one in football management, that doesn’t happen does it?

“Contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. It’s a piece of paper, that’s all it is,” added the former Wales Under-21 coach and senior team caretaker chief before commenting on the shock sacking of Southampton manager Nigel Adkins as: “Stupidity, stupidity on the greatest level without a doubt that was.”

After being involved on the international scene until early last year, the former Wrexham and Swansea manager is determined to make his first club job in England a success and is not satisfied with Rovers being second on goal difference to Tranmere with a game in hand and also seven points clear of third place.

“We are in a very good position and we will go one better. The next position up is what we are here for. Everybody wants a medal.

“The chairman is insisting that not only do we get promoted but we win the league. There are no two ways about it,” said the dimunitive Flynn not at all burdened by the weight of expectation.

In player-coach Rob Jones, Flynn has an onfield leader and it was the captain who set Rovers on the way to the double over Orient with his seventh goal of the season, heading home from an 18th-minute inswinging corner from David Cotterill after goalkeeper Jamie Jones had already pulled off two fine saves.

Flynn commented: “The ball seems attracted to his head but it is all down to timing. The ball in from David Cotterill and the timing of Rob’s run was perfect. He’s 6ft 6in and he’s strong in the air but I’ve known some big players who never score goals because their timing is not great, their desire to score is not great but Rob has got that.”

Chris Brown, who shone in the role of target man – James Coppinger, making his 300th appearance for the club, being employed behind him after being brought in for calf victim Iain Hume – made the points safe early in the second half.

Cotterill freed him down the right channel and Brown, who had twice gone close, drew Jones before striking the ball home between the goalkeeper’s legs in the 54th minute.

Right-back Paul Quinn smashed a shot against the post and Kyle Bennett watched his follow-up headed off the line by Ben Chorley as Doncaster’s domination continued to the end.

Orient had only two shots, both from outside the area and both off-target, and they must have wished the 30 or so Rovers supporters and their own fan, James Pettigrew, had stayed in bed rather than arrived early to help clear the stands of snow to ensure the match went ahead.

“The quality of our forward play was pleasing but that was built on rock-solid, proper defending,” said Flynn.

“I am just carrying on what Dean has produced. I am just keeping it going but I will add little subtle things – I have already but the players haven’t spotted them yet!”

Flynn had intended to name an unchanged side but said of Coppinger, back from an unsuccessful loan spell at Nottingham Forest and a second-half cramp victim after his first start of the campaign: “I’m very pleased with him. He has undoubted qualities, quick, bright with the ball and better in the air than I thought he would be. I am delighted for him having come back and to play such an important part.”

With them out of the FA Cup, Flynn, who would give no hint of what plans he has for the transfer window, is delighted to have a two-week break to prepare Rovers for the rest of the campaign

“They are a well-drilled, well-organised machine but there is a bit more to come yet from this squad. The team work is superb but, without naming names, I can get a little bit more from individuals on the training ground.

“It’s a lovely break for us because it gives me more time on the training ground.

“The best part of the job is Monday to Friday when you are coaching the players out on the training pitch and then, on the Saturday, seeing them put it all into practice.”

Doncaster Rovers: Woods, Quinn, McCombe, Jones, Spurr; Cotterill (Blake 90), Keegan, Syers, Bennett; Coppinger (Sinclair 72); Brown. Unused substitutes: Maxted, Griffin, Martis, Fowler, Harper.

Leyton Orient: Jones, McSweeney (Cook 59), Cuthbert, Chorley, Sawyer; Odubajo, Smith, Griffith (Rowlands 79), Cox; Azeez (Mooney 46). Unused substitutes: Symes, Butcher, James.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincs).