James Coppinger backs Andy Butler to ensure Doncaster Rovers bounce back

Doncaster Rovers players head back into training today after Tuesday’s defeat at Crewe, a first in the tenure of Butler, who will have known that dealing with a maiden loss and plotting a successful response is the true barometer for any rookie manager.

He will have at least another ‘old head’ and friend to lean upon in Coppinger, as Rovers prepare for Saturday’s visit of Northampton Town.

Selection issues may complicate the cause, with Reece James and John Bostock leaving the fray in the second half on Tuesday with injury, with Omar Bogle, Fejiri Okenabirhie and Jon Taylor also missing the game.

Coppinger, who was Rovers’ outstanding player at Gresty Road as he completed 90 minutes in a league game for the first time this season, said: “That is what football is about for me.

“It is easy when things are going your way and you have two back-to-back wins and everyone is happy and coming into training laughing and joking and everything is grand.

“But as soon as you get a defeat, it is about how you bounce back and do things on a training pitch, recovery and doing everything right to approach the next game.”

As someone who knows Butler well, Coppinger believes that the Rovers chief will leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of success, and quest to earn the right to manage his hometown club beyond this season.

Coppinger added: “He has taken the (Doncaster) Belles and has always been planning.

“When we have been on away trips, he has – not had his head in a book – been planning sessions and speaking to people. I always thought he would go into it (management).

“It is about trying to take the opportunity as they don’t come along that often.

“I think there will be people queuing up to take this job and he will be one of them.

“He always leaned on me. We have been friends for four or five seasons and worked and roomed together and been successful and experienced everything.

“I would like to think he trusts my opinion, but I am not always right and neither is he. If we can help this club do well and be successful, that is what it is about.”

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