Doncaster Rovers: Keeping the faith after Billy Sharp surprise will aid promotion push | OneFootball

Many thought Billy Sharp's return would give cover to this Rovers star this season, not the other way around. But good things come to those who wait.

After play-off heartbreak ended Doncaster Rovers' incredible late run of form last season, nothing less than promotion will do in DN4 come the end of this campaign.

Despite sitting 20th in League Two as late as March, Rovers surged up the table thanks to ten consecutive wins, including a remarkable turnaround against Barrow in their final home game, and finished fifth. However, they agonisingly missed out on a first trip to Wembley since 2008, losing to Crewe Alexandra on penalties despite taking a 2-0 advantage into the play-off second leg.

Among the stand-out players for Rovers last season was Joe Ironside. A Cambridge United legend after his goal famously knocked the moneybags of Newcastle United out of the FA Cup in January 2022, he was Grant McCann's statement signing in the Northern Irishman's first transfer window back at the Eco-Power Stadium in 2023.

Despite this, Ironside appears to be suffering from a case of second-season syndrome in red and white. Here, Football League World breaks down his numbers and explores why Rovers fans need to remember the good times.

Ironside's first season

Ironside was quick to repay McCann's faith, netting his first goal just three games in - a thrilling 2-2 draw against Mansfield Town. He would go on to bag 20 league goals, the first Rovers player to do so since John Marquis in 2018/19, and 24 in all competitions. This included heading past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as Rovers took a shock 1-0 lead into half-time against Premier League Everton in the Carabao Cup.

Although never managing a hat-trick, Ironside bagged a couple of braces - including the goals which sparked the remarkable turnaround at home to the Bluebirds. He also converted a last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot in February against Sutton United, in what many billed at the time as a crucial relegation scrap - but would later prove pivotal in turning Rovers' season on its head.

Ironside finished the 2023/24 season as League Two's joint-sixth-highest scorer, with many fans tipping him to play an integral role in Rovers' push to go one better in 2024/25.

The Return of the King

Rovers went into the summer transfer window looking to once again make a statement of intent. Whilst Ironside's form was strong, George Miller's departure to Cheltenham Town meant additional experience was required in the strike department. That statement was made with the signing of EFL legend Billy Sharp.

It was the second time Rovers had signed Sharp permanently, and his third spell overall with the club. Having become English football's highest scorer in the 21st century, long since he previously left DN4, Sharp arrived back at the Eco-Power Stadium hoping to rediscover his form following a barren spell at Hull City that returned no goals.

At 38 years old, he was largely expected to play second-fiddle to Ironside and provide that vital experience as an impact substitute to help win games. However, after he did just that on the opening day against Accrington Stanley, Sharp's form picked up. He currently has four league goals heading into Rovers' next game against Salford City, and five in all competitions.

By contrast, Ironside's lack of form - with just two league goals so far this season - has led to Sharp surprisingly taking up the mantle of first-choice striker. It wasn't until mid-October that he got off the mark but a classic last-gasp penalty against Swindon Town left many believing this would be the spark he needed to kick on for the season.

Although he levelled the scoring after starting on the bench in a well-earned draw against Notts County, he isn't quite firing on all cylinders. Whilst Sharp sits joint-16th in the League Two scoring charts, Ironside sits joint-48th.

Fans must back Sheffield-forged strikeforce

It was always going to be a tall order for Ironside to replicate his great form in his second season at the Eco-Power Stadium. His slow start to the season, combined with Rovers' Sheffield-born strike duo both being outshone on the goals front by winger Luke Molyneux, has left some fans alarmed with his lack of goals.

However, they only need to remember the good times to know that he will come into his own. The majority of his goals last season came between September and February, and they were fairly spread out. In fact, notwithstanding his late burst of six in the season's last five games, his form was very much 'slow-and-steady-wins-the-race' throughout 2023/24.

Fans therefore need not panic at Ironside's low tally so far. Yes, Sharp has come faster out of the blocks and displaced him in the side, but come the season's crunch time, McCann will need both of those players to step up when it matters. Ironside proved last season he is more than capable of doing that.

It's highly likely Rovers will be in with a shout of at least the top seven in League Two come the spring, and good things come to those who wait. Once Joe Ironside is bedded in for the season, there is no doubt defenders will make stopping him a priority on the pitch.