Oxford United v Doncaster Rovers: Gary McSheffrey ready to turn page on wretched season

Today, their relegation to League Two will be officially confirmed against the U’s.

It is to be hoped that a line in the sand can then be drawn as Rovers end a disastrous period in their recent history and aim to pen a positive fresh chapter.

Gary McSheffrey’s side have at least showed a bit of heart and spirit of late, but it should bring only slight consolation amid a wretched period for the club, whose glorious times in the Championship just over a decade ago are a distant memory.

For his part, McSheffrey’s cup is half-full as he seeks to look to the future and tries to move on.

He said: “I am definitely looking forward to the fresh start, but it is going to be a continuation of the good things that have been going on in recent weeks in terms of things we have been putting in place.

“With five or six tweaks, I think we have got a capable squad to bounce straight back.”

If McSheffrey does have one regret, it is that his side’s total of seven points from the last 12 available has ultimately arrived too late during a fight for survival which will see a couple of teams almost stay up by default.

He commented: “It is frustrating, but at the same time it is good that the momentum is there a little bit and a positive to build on and continue in pre-season.

“We have obviously run out of games, but I feel like we have got a consistency to the performance level and the boys are getting the messages we have been delivering and that we have also had the luxury of getting a couple of good experienced players on the pitch.”