Grant McCann has given his Doncaster Rovers side food for thought after falling to a 1-0 loss against Bromley.
The Ravens curtailed a four-game unbeaten run for the South Yorkshire side. A first-half goal from Ben Thompson put Andy Woodman’s team in front and they held resolutely from the onslaught by Rovers to secure all three points to move five points clear of the bottom two
‘Not Enough Killers’
After the game, McCann was not looking on the bright side of the result, telling the media (Quotes via Yorkshire Post):
“I said it two or three weeks ago but we haven’t got enough ruthless edge and we haven’t got enough killers at the minute. That’s really annoying for me because there’s no point in creating all those chances if you don’t score any of them.
“We might float around the top six or seven in this league with that way we’re going at the minute but nothing much more than that.
“It’s even more frustrating because it’s happened to us a few times now. Against Crewe, Morecambe, Harrogate – we just don’t take the game when we have the chances.”
Doncaster had 22 attempts last night and eight of those were registered as on target. Bromley keeper Grant Smith was the hero of the night, making seven saves and firmly shut out Rovers to put Bromley back on the right track after a patch of inconsistency.
Slipping behind
Grant McCann’s sights are firmly set on an automatic promotion this season but this result has put a slight dent in those ambitions. Doncaster were the only side in the top 10 to lose on Tuesday night and were overtaken by both Notts County and Walsall to knock them into the play-off positions as it stands.
They now face a crucial game away to Yorkshire rivals Bradford City on Saturday, with a potential loss at Valley Parade and other results going against them could see them finish that day out of the top seven on goal difference.
Writer’s View
Every team will have their off days and this was certainly Doncaster Rovers’ turn. They were always creative but failed to find that clinical edge which has rewarded them so often over the past 12 months. McCann will be frustrated as the difference between automatic promotion and a play-off place always comes down to fine margins and as they found out against Crewe last season, having to play at least two extra games can be a bridge too far.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
