Morecambe’s stay in the third tier could be a short one unless results can be turned around quickly for Steve Robinson’s side.
The Shrimps head into 2022 in 21st place, three places and four points better off than their opponents on Sunday, but still in the drop zone nonetheless.
A win over Doncaster could well lift them out of there, although that continues to be a tough task for the side with the division’s leakiest defence.
A league-high 46 goals have already been conceded at the halfway stage of the campaign, which Robinson’s men did manage to offset for some periods earlier in the season with their efficiency in front of goal at the other end of the pitch.
However, Greg Leigh’s goal against Crewe Alexandra in the 2-1 defeat on Tuesday evening was the first they had managed to net in five League One matches, so unless they can regain the clinical finishing that they possessed in the opening months, or tighten up their shaky defence, an immediate return to the fourth tier could be on the cards in the new year.
As for the visitors, they will open the new year at the foot of the League One table when they make the trip to Morecambe on Sunday.
However, Donny will also head to the Mazuma Stadium with a permanent manager in charge, with Gary McSheffrey being appointed on a full-time basis after previously overseeing their last four fixtures on an interim basis.
The 39-year-old has impressed the board with his calming influence and the reaction that the players have given him, which will certainly be required if he is to lift the side clear of the drop zone.
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Following many failed attempts at achieving promotion to the Championship in recent years, few could have predicted the fall of Doncaster this campaign, but McSheffrey will be keen for his players to focus on the present and the 24 games ahead that provide them with the opportunity to save their season.
With the three defeats and the 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town all being played in front of their own supporters during his temporary reign, the new permanent boss will oversee his first away trip on Sunday.
Hopes will not be high though, with Doncaster picking up just a single point from their 11 away games in the league so far this campaign, and with just three goals being scored during that time, fixing the dreadful away form will be one of McSheffrey’s first priorities
