It's been a long six months - but it's time to be optimistic once again: Liam Hoden's Doncaster Rovers column

A long six months since departing stadium:mk with a good deal of optimism after a decent win for Doncaster Rovers; hopeful that they were kicking into gear at the right time to mount a top six push.

Since then, well, you know what has happened.

A devastating, historic event that has rocked all aspects of society and ran roughshod over our way of life.

It threatened the very future of our beloved football clubs - and it is certainly amazing that the 92 sides making up the top four divisions in England all survived to start the season this weekend.

While it may have never felt likely that Rovers would slip into the abyss, it does not mean that times were not tough.

A club that prides itself on sustainable operation and community spirit felt forced into cutting jobs and undoing some of the work carried out to build up the organisation over several years.

On the football side, it led to a tightening of belts and an alteration of approach. Not so much powering on with progression but taking it much more steady.

Yet, six months on from a day of optimism in Milton Keynes, there does feel reason to be hopeful once again.

Darren Moore has made his mark on the squad this summer, crafting a group full of youthful vibrancy, technical excellence and plenty of potential.

As I write this, it is clear that there is still plenty of work to be done on the squad.

It looked healthier on Tuesday night against Bradford City than it did ten days prior at Blackburn Rovers - particularly with the presence of Reece James and new signing Tyreece John-Jules watching on from the stands.

With the most intense season in living memory to come, there would be a great deal of comfort if Rovers had two options for each position, or thereabouts, to help them through the rigours of the next eight months.

They are not there yet, but work continues on to edge them closer. The wait goes on for the trigger to be pulled on targets that have been lined up for weeks.

It must also be said that Rovers look as though they are a few weeks away from hitting their stride physically - but after such a long break and short pre-season, that is understandable.

They do seem to be on the right track however, both in personnel and preparation.

The next eight months are about building on what Moore started in the seven and a bit in which Rovers were last active competitively. The creation of a fluid, attacking force backed up by a defence that proved itself to be so imposing last season.

The signs, on the minimal evidence we have had so far, are good.

It is somewhat poetic that Covid-19’s impact on Rovers is bookended by matches against MK Dons, who they kick-off their League One campaign against this weekend.

Hopefully similar feelings of optimism from that day in March, six long months ago, are prevalent on Saturday night.

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