'Made it easy for us' - Matty Blair's insight into Doncaster Rovers style under Grant McCann

The retired full-back achieved four elevations in his career, three of them out of the muck-and-nettles surroundings of League Two. He's also done it in all three manners, by winning the title outright with Cheltenham, the play-offs with Fleetwood and finishing in the top three with Rovers.

He played as big a part as anyone in that 2016-17 success under Darren Ferguson before going on to star in League One. The club then consolidated back in the third tier before Grant McCann was appointed the following summer.

Under McCann, Rovers would march to the play-offs and again Blair played a starring role. Ultimately though, they fell short on penalties. It is a familiar story for McCann, who befell the same fate last season in his second spell with the club as Crewe edged them out on spot-kicks in the League Two semi-final.

Blair though believes that the style of football the team played under McCann was unlike anything he'd been a part of in his career. And he offered an insight into the front-foot, energetic tactics that Rovers fans witnessed last term with McCann back at the helm - one they hope will result in them getting it right in 2024-25.

"I played a lot at right-back for Grant because realistically I wasn't good enough to get in his midfield!" the self-deprecating Blair tells the Free Press. "I didn't care though. I was part of a team that got to the League One play-offs playing some amazing stuff.

"Grant got us playing a style that was very effective, very simple and it was high energy.

"The team we had at that time, it suited them down to a tee. We were playing some football that was ridiculous. My job, seriously, was so easy! I had in front of me Herbie Kane, Ben Whiteman and Mallik Wilks. All I had to do is pass to one of those three - that's it!

"Grant made it easy and simple for us to play football. I really respect Grant and Cliff (Byrne) and the work they do."

In what has already been a busy off-season at Rovers, arguably the biggest boost was Luke Molyneux signing an extended contract.

The winger posted career-best figures last term and his re-signing was a big fillip, especially considering there was sustained interest from clubs higher up the EFL.

"Grant would've played a big part in that decision," Blair reckons. "He had a great season and probably thinks if he has another one like that, he'll be wondering if he can get a promotion or winner's medal ticked off and then work his way up that way.

"If you do go and rip up League Two again, it'll not be long before Championship or League One clubs come knocking. But fair play to him for committing to the club again."

Read part one of our exclusive interview with Matty Blair

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