Watford v Doncaster Rovers: O'Driscoll taking nothing for granted on anniversary
O'Driscoll celebrates his fourth anniversary in charge this weekend and victory away at Watford would secure the club's best start to a season since winning promotion from the Conference six years ago. But asked if the last four years had been a success, O'Driscoll said: "I will be gobsmacked if you are asking me the same question in another four years' time because I am already bucking the trend (in football management).
"You only have to look at Alan Pardew and Southampton to know that this is a strange industry and you never know what's around the corner. I am not one for looking back because you have got to look forward in football.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"The problem in football is that everyone judges you on where you finish," he said. "When we walked through the door here, it was really spit and sawdust. The club as a whole can take great credit in the progression that has been made.
"But margins are getting ever closer now and evermore difficult.
"We have to make sure that we do everything possible to move the club even further forward – without there being such big steps as happened before."
Northern Ireland international David Healy is a shock transfer target for Rovers.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe former Leeds United striker, 31, is desperate to quit Sunderland and has still not started a league game for the Wearsiders two years after a 1.2m move from Fulham.
O'Driscoll is keen but admits the player's wage demands will be a problem.
"At the moment, it's just speculation I suppose, but he is somebody that would interest us," he said.
"The fact that he is on Premier League wages is the obvious stumbling block – not just for us but for everybody."
Rovers midfielder James Coppinger has extended his contract with the club until summer 2013.