Doncaster Rovers: McCann pleased with start of U23 campaign

Grant McCann has welcomed the start of the Under 23 season for Doncaster Rovers as he looks to get players up to speed with his style of play.
Alfie BeestinAlfie Beestin
Alfie Beestin

Rovers' U23s begin their league campaign with a trip to Grimsby Town on Tuesday afternoon.

McCann has expressed disappointment with performances when he has made numerous changes to his side - particularly defeats to Blackpool and Newcastle United U21s in cup competition.

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But he believes the opportunity for more regular competitive football will benefit those who have found themselves on the fringes to far this season, as well as the club's younger players.

"Maybe it has been a factor when players have come in like Alfie Beestin, Mitchell Lund, Issam Ben Khemis," McCann said.

"They've had a couple of behind closed doors games of course but once the Under 23 games start it'll be good for them.

"And the younger ones really like Morgan James, Jacob Fletcher, Cody Prior, James Morris, Max Watters, Shane Blaney - people like that can start getting some game time and building up their match time as well."

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McCann was pleased with the performances of the trio that came off the bench in Saturday's win over Luton Town.

Jermaine Anderson, Alfie May and Paul Taylor all made telling contributions in the second half as Rovers saw out the victory.

And McCann believes it showed there is good strength in the Rovers squad.

"I think when you';re making four or five changes, it does upset things a bit," he said.

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"People are still getting used to the system, they've not had a chance in it.

"When you make one or two, you see there's not much difference.

"The group understand.

"When they come in in ones and twos, it could be anyone - Alfie Beestin, Paul Taylor, Jermaine Anderson - there is not much change in the way they play and the way the game will run just as Tommy Rowe would play.

"That is what I mean when I say we can make one or two and keep it at a level."