Doncaster boss Dean Saunders is someone Town manager Paul Jewell knows well, having signed him during his time in charge of Bradford City. Saunders, a free recruit from Benfica when Jewell added him to his Bantams squad, took over from Sean O’Driscoll at the Keepmoat Stadium in September.
Jewell says Saunders made quite an impact at Valley Parade despite being the twilight of his career: "I think he was 36 or 37 when I brought him to Bradford — we were called ‘Dad’s Army’. He scored our first goal in the Premier League when we went to Middlesbrough on the first day of the season.
"Enthusiastic, bubbly, he’s a terrific character, the best storyteller I’ve ever heard in football. But don’t let that joking side of him fool you, he’s got a fierce will to win.
"You don’t play at the level he did for so long without being a really good player and a fierce competitor. I’m sure he’ll bring those same traits to management.”
The Blues boss admits to some surprise that former striker Saunders, who also played for Liverpool, Derby, Oxford, Aston Villa and Sheffield United amongst many others, became a manager: "You’d do well to stop him talking to name a team!
"I didn’t ever think he’d go into management because he certainly doesn’t need the money. But he’s taken to it really well at Wrexham and now he’s got a challenge on at Doncaster.
"But I know Deano will meet everything head on and meet it with a completely positive attitude. There’s not a negative bone in his body.”