Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann outlines importance of adapting to pitch after win over Blackpool
Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann outlined the importance of adapting to the worsening Eco-Power Stadium pitch after his side’s 2-1 win over Blackpool.
The surface at Doncaster’s home ground is not in a particularly good state and is forcing ball-playing visitors to make changes.
McCann’s men are also having to be flexible and it was the hosts who managed the conditions best earlier today (March 14).
Goals from Owen Bailey and Hakeeb Adelakun gave Doncaster victory, as Ashley Fletcher’s late goal proved to be a mere consolation.
Doncaster Rovers boss reflects on win over Blackpool
McCann said: “It was a tough game and wasn’t really a very good spectacle. We’ve played against two footballing teams this week – Luton and Blackpool – and they’ve both come here and changed their approach. That’s due to the surface, it’s tough to play on.
“We’re the same. We’ve tried to adapt a wee bit and play over the top of it, in the opposition’s half.
“The last thing we want to do is be taking risks because the ball is bouncing all over the place.
“I thought the boys stuck to what we asked them to do in the last couple of games and we should have six points from it because we should have beaten Luton.
“We’ve created a lot of opportunities today, got two good goals and win the game, which was the most important thing.”
Ian Evatt’s verdict
Blackpool, meanwhile, were kept in the League One relegation zone by the defeat.
Tangerines boss Ian Evatt said: “I’ve just said to the players that we’ve got to believe that we’ve still got the games to do it.
“It’ll be a lot more difficult now. It’s going to be a lot more challenging but it’s not over. We have to believe it’s not over.
“We’ve got games at home that we know we can win to get us points. Tuesday against Port Vale is now critical to win, nothing else is acceptable.
“We’ve formed a nasty habit of losing moments in football matches, and this is a moments league. You’ve got to make sure you defend the moments and take the moments when they come.
“There was nothing in this game apart from set plays but that’s the theme for us. We knew it was going to be a set play or a mistake that would decide the game.
“To concede two set plays is really tough – we’re not giving ourselves a chance. It’s the same theme.”