Stockport County v Doncaster Rovers: Grant McCann's candid admission as Rovers aim to 'break the cycle'

The landscape of a season which started out amid high hopes of Rovers having an impact at the sharp end of the League One table has changed considerably of late.

As it stands, it is looking like a survival fight. While followers are concerned about second-from-bottom Rovers getting over the safety line, McCann is more worried about his players being too 'safe' in their play as he puts it.

His toiling side have mustered just one league win in their past 15 games since September 6.

The Rovers chief, whose team face a Stockport outfit who beat them comfortably at the Eco-Power Stadium earlier this month, said: "We are just too safe as a team (at the minute).

"We are a little bit in our shells and it's important that we try and get them out of that and get players on the pitch who are brave.

"At this moment in time, I am not seeing enough of it and people wanting the ball to get on (it) and make things happen. We'd rather just get rid of it."

Rovers produced an anaemic performance at Blackpool on Boxing Day to heighten concerns of fans and a candid McCann admits they are right to be.

He continued: "People talk about momentum and it can be when you are losing as well.

"Unfortunately, we are in this place at this moment in time where we just can't get out of it. We've got to find a way of breaking this cycle.

"They (fans) should be worried as the team are not winning games.

"I'm worried; my team is not winning football games and we are not producing.

"None of us are producing.

"All we can do is try and go again and get a team on the pitch at Stockport who can play with a wee bit more expression."