Why history has taught Doncaster Rovers winger Luke Molyneux not to panic

Which brings us nicely to Doncaster Rovers star turn Luke Molyneux.

A talismanic figure lauded on countless occasions last season by Grant McCann as being the best winger in League Two 'by a country mile' – he had a point in fairness – the north-easterner is coming into his own again at league level.

Molyneux, who swept the board at the club's player of the season awards last term, struggled in the opening months of the current season. But there were mitigating circumstances.

His grandfather, who he was extremely close to, passed away in the autumn.

Since playing his part in an emotionally-charged FA Cup win at Crewe Alexandra in early November – he set up the late winner – and following up with a goal in the South Yorkshire derby with Barnsley, the one-time Sunderland wingman has returned to something like his old self at league level.

It's good news for Rovers after a testing first half of the season from a team perspective.

On what he's made of League One, Molyneux said: "You do notice the difference in class and players. There obviously is a lot better quality.

"But for myself, I feel like it's not huge differences in the way I've been playing. A lot of teams have doubled up on me a lot in games.

"I think it's probably something that I'm used to now because it happened a lot last season.

"I think the main difference between the leagues is they (teams) are a lot more ruthless.

"If you make a mistake, it's more than likely going to end up in a goal. I think that's the main difference between the two leagues."

Tough as it's been so far this season for Rovers, the staying power which they have displayed under McCann in his second spell at the club suggests that now is not the time to panic.

Back in the late winter of 2024, McCann's side were third from bottom in League Two – in a campaign which was soon dramatically transformed into a sensational promotion charge.

Right at the start of 2025, Rovers also had a little wobble in their quest for automatic promotion from the fourth tier.

Just before that at Christmas, Molyneux was even on the receiving end of stick from some social media trolls regarding his form.

Rovers' team response was emphatic as was his own in the second half of 24-25.

He was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Season and viewed by many observers to be unfortunate not to be named as the division's best player as well in a season when he scored 18 goals, plundered the first hat-trick of his career and picked up a league winner's medal.

Rovers' new mission is to pull away from trouble at the bottom end of League One and then see where it takes them.

Proactive in the first half of the winter window in bringing in the likes of Frankie Okoronkwo, Hakeeb Adelakun and Zander Clark, McCann's side are now hoping for a boost in terms of results.

History has taught McCann – whose side welcomed Fleetwood in a last-16 EFL Trophy tie on Tuesday – and his staff not to panic.

Now 27, Molyneux added: "I don't think anyone is panicking here. We've been in a similar situation before (in early 2024).

"Even though it was in the league below, it was still a similar situation where we were down near the bottom.

"All it takes is for a good run. It could be a big January for ourselves and we've always done well in recruitment on that side of things.

"Hopefully, we can do that again and push on and hopefully get something out of the games.

"I think you won't see the full picture of the table probably until the end of January time when the games will probably settle down a bit more. It's really tight.

"There's going to be a lot of changes. There's going to be a lot of teams up and down."

"It's obviously been a tough season so far on the whole. But, yes, we're confident enough to be able to turn things around."

One thing is for sure. Life is rarely boring for Molyneux at Rovers, who return to league action with a trip to AFC Wimbledon this coming weekend.

"No, never," Molyneux acknowledged.

"To be fair, I've obviously been here a lot and this is my fourth season now and I am one of the more experienced players. I've been through a lot at this club.

"The first season was tough and I had a few different managers in that time. Then, since the gaffer came in (McCann), getting the league title was massive.

"It's obviously been a tough season so far on the whole. But we're confident enough to be able to turn things around."

Should Rovers manage to do that, expect Molyneux to have a fair bit to say about it.