Pete Green: Dons are in safe hands under Gary Thornton

“I think Gary has done a great job and considering the season we’ve had when it comes to injuries to key players in areas where we didn’t have a lot of strength in depth, I think we’ve done well to finish where we have,” he said.

One of the most popular players ever to pull on a Doncaster shirt, Green says the coaching staff sing from the same hymn sheet although not always in perfect harmony – something he argues is good for the club as they bid to get out of what is proving to be a tough league at the first attempt.

“I think all the coaching staff are down to earth people and where I think it works well is that we aren’t afraid to speak our mind if we don’t agree with something,” he said.

“That’s been the case since day one and when that happens we sit down and talk about it and we come up with something.

“What Gary is very good at, which I like as well, is encouraging an input from the players. I’ve never liked a coach who dictates to the players and tells them exactly what he wants because it’s the players who have to go out there and try and win games.

“It’s important we get their feedback and Gary is very good at taking advice on board from the players and people around him and that’s good.”