Doncaster Rovers v Carlisle United: Rovers’ forward thinking approved by Flynn

Such has been the unpredictability of life at the top of League One that Brian Flynn would be forgiven for battening down the hatches and protecting the lead that Doncaster Rovers have worked so hard to establish.
James Husband scoresJames Husband scores
James Husband scores

The Keepmoat club hit the summit four games ago and have put a slither of daylight between themselves and the chasing pack, nearly all of whom have had their own chance to build a lead at the top only to fall away.

But instead of being cautious in the face of such a fate befalling his own team, Flynn wants his players to seize their chance.

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That mentality was perhaps best illustrated last Saturday when Rovers saw their lead at promotion rivals Bournemouth wiped out in the 86th minute.

Instead of bowing to the seemingly inevitable and accepting a point like many teams might have done, Doncaster went and won the match all over again, with left-sided midfielder James Husband snatching a winner within a minute of Bournemouth levelling.

It was the second time in 11 days that Rovers had responded in such fashion, having won at Shrewsbury in the same manner.

“We are well-organised, well-disciplined and we have a good team shape, but I like to add a little bit into the mixture – I tell the players they’ve got a licence to thrill,” explained the Welshman.

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“In football jargon that means if you want to get forward, then go on and get forward, but get forward to do something different.

“And if you look at our winning goal that’s exactly what I mean. There was Tommy Spurr inside the six-yard box, next to James Husband. Our left-back and our left-sided midfield player, and I gave them licence to do that.

“Most managers would say at least one of you stay back. But to be a successful team I think you have to have that ingredient in your team, you need that licence to thrill.”

As well as ambition, there is a resilience in this title-chasing Rovers team. Late winners scored regularly do not come about purely through luck, but by determination, fitness and desire.

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If there is an Achilles heel showing as Rovers attempt to book an instant return to the Championship, it is their home form.

But just as he empowers them to be adventurous on their travels, so Flynn wants his men to play with the shackles off on home soil.

“I want to see that licence (tonight),” he said as Rovers welcome Carlisle. “These players are certainly not restricted, at any time in any game. If (centre-back) Rob Jones wants to end up as centre-forward let him be a centre-forward, so long as he does something good up there.

“It’s no coincidence it’s happened against Bournemouth, Shrewsbury and to a certain extent Stevenage in my first game. We’ve got good fitness levels, desire and the ability to get over the disappointment of conceding a late goal. To shrug that off and for players to think ‘we can get a winner here’, is important.

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“I encourage the players to do that, it happened and it got us a winner.”

Given how quickly the make-up of the promotion places has changed in this nip-and-tuck race, Flynn knows there can be no let-up from his players tonight.

Last week’s defeat at MK Dons was their worst performance of the season, a fact the manager and his staff can acknowledge after they have got it out of their system so quickly. But with second-placed Sheffield United in action tonight, and three points adrift with a game in hand, Flynn is demanding total concentration.

“There can be no slip-ups (tonight),” he said. “There’s nine games and we need the Bournemouth game to be the start of another good run. I’m not bothered who is below us, as long as they stay below us. I’m not setting a points target. We just need to be one point or one goal better than the team below.”

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Former Blade Danny Webber is currently training with Rovers, who will hold a pitch inspection at noon ahead of today’s game.

Last six games: Doncaster DDWWLW, Carlisle DDLLDW.

Last time: Doncaster 1 Carlisle 0; January 12, 2008; League One.

Referee: A Woolmer (Northants).