Cardiff 2 Doncaster 0: Rovers boss O’Driscoll ready for change after fear factor creeps in

Anthony Gerrard and Robert Earnshaw sealed a comfortable victory for the Bluebirds with second-half strikes.

Cardiff rarely looked in danger against the rock-bottom visitors, who had not recorded a win since March 1, and the Doncaster manager admits some of his team may now be playing with fear.

“We didn’t play well enough to win the game,” accepted O’Driscoll. “When you are bottom of the league with just one point then every game becomes massive for you. The more you go without winning games then the harder it becomes.

“What can go wrong is going wrong and for the first time this season we were tentative. We may need to make some harsh decisions about the players. We lacked courage to play.”

After a first-half stalemate, Gerrard broke the deadlock with a glancing header from Peter Whittingham’s teasing cross in the 52nd minute. Then Earnshaw was back on the scoresheet just days after missing an open goal for Wales against England last week.

Boss Malky Mackay insisted he had no doubts over his forward, who slotted home from close range with 15 minutes remaining.

Mackay was as happy with his side’s display as he was with the three points.

Mackay said: “We were playing a difficult customer because of the way Doncaster play. I’ve known how they play for a long time and Sean is the longest serving manager in the league. They are always a threat going forward with nimble, nifty players who create chances and play off lines. They always threaten your goal.”

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Gerrard, Whittingham, Cowie, Conway (Kiss 80), Blake (Gunnarsson 62), Miller (Gestede 83), Earnshaw. Unused substitutes: Heaton, Mason.

Doncaster: Gary Woods, O’Connor, Friend, Naylor (Lalkovic 46), Spurr, Oster, Bennett (Barnes 67), Dumbuya (Wilson 85), Coppinger, Hayter, Gillett. Unused substitutes: Sullivan, Hird.

Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Man of the match: Peter Whittingham.