O'Driscoll left because of his refusal to participate in the ghastly mackay project something you and certain others endorsed.
He is an example of the positive impact a manager can make on a team.
Double no. In fact make that triple no. Sorry to be so forthright at lunchtime, but I'll try not to upset your constitution by giving you a lesson in factual history.
O'Driscoll was sacked after taking just one point from Doncaster's first seven games. The McKay scheme was administered under Saunders subsequent tenure.
I didn't not support it totally, but it did bring better players to the table - at little cost - that Doncaster could not otherwise have afforded. When we were only able to sign two inexperienced and unproven players, they were able to call upon proven Premiership-class players. the point I made, and still believe, was that if Thorn were allowed to bring in the big-four players Doncaster did, atop our loan signings, would we have stayed up? I believe so. It was in this context I offered qualified support to the notion of lateral thinking. You can check back if you wish.
Yes, a manager can make such an impact. An assistant coach can make such an impact. Both Cotterill and O'Driscoll also pinpointed to the plethora of loans they were able to introduce in January making an impact. So, the acted with loan sisgnings and coaching support. Meanwhile, we did practically nothing. The 'impact' you elude to was multifaceted, as I'm sure you really know.
Try and still enjoy your Pringles though
Edited to add that I am aware that O'Driscoll refused to work with McKay - we've discussed that one before - but it was his poor form, not said refusal that had him shown the door; just in case you;'re trotting out old excuses that didn't work first time, Grenduffy...