A CURSORY glance at the League One table tells Grant McCann one thing.

Namely, that the third tier is an exceedingly strong proposition this season, moreso than last year in his eyes.

The current standings show several fancied sides such as Huddersfield Town, Bradford City and Stockport County at the business end, with several others, including Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City and Luton Town, not far behind.

Some clubs, such as Cambridge United, are overachieving. The opposite applies to the likes of Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and Barnsley.

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Rovers' weekend opponents, MK Dons, who have a pretty substantial budget, are on the rise after a testing opening. For McCann, every game represents a genuine challenge with scant respite.

The Rovers boss said: "I think every club has got stronger. I really do.

"The league has got tougher. Last season, I think Cardiff, Lincoln and possibly Bolton to a certain degree, were streets ahead of everybody. This year, there are a lot more clubs who will have a real eye on that top six or top three and thinking 'we've got a real chance'.

"Every club has got stronger squads to call upon - than I've seen for a number of years. Every game is difficult, a challenge and different and Saturday is going to be another challenge for us.

Doncaster Rovers loan striker Alfie May. Picture courtesy of DRFC

"It's a good one for us to hopefully right the wrongs of Tuesday night (at Luton)."

Speaking of positions, Rovers are ranked in a lowly 21st place in the second half 'table' and while it constitutes a disappointment to McCann, he believes there are some extenuating circumstances for that.

McCann, hopeful that Alfie May could return to the fray, continued: "A lot of that is down to players getting up to speed, in terms of those who were brought in. In not getting the pre-season we wanted (in them) or missing parts of pre-season.

"But I think everything balances itself out over the course of the 46 games. We're hoping we can make our second half better than our first half as the season goes.

"From not winning in the first six games to winning three of the next six shows a little bit of progression. Everything is ‘stepping stones’ and trying to improve all the time."