Doncaster Rovers searching for '˜happy medium' against Cambridge United - Butler

Andy Butler says Doncaster Rovers are looking to strike the right balance against Cambridge United tonight.
Andy ButlerAndy Butler
Andy Butler

Rovers shipped three goals in their opening day defeat at Accrington Stanley.

But in the 1-1 draw with Crawley Town at the weekend Butler says they overcompensated defensively which resulted in a poor first-half performance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This evening, as both sides go in search of a first league win, Butler says Rovers must find a “happy medium”.

“They’ve been two totally different games,” said Butler, reflecting on Rovers’ start to life in League Two.

“The Accrington game, we were a little bit too expansive in what we did and that caused us problems.

“And against Crawley on Saturday we went a little bit too defensive which again caused us problems.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“So it’s about finding a happy medium in between the two to get the performance and the three points we want.

“We’ve done a lot of work on it,” he added.

“On Saturday we just felt we kept it as a back five too often, which allowed them to overload the midfield, which gave them time on the ball and they were picking passes out.

“We’ve tried to rectify that now and I’m sure we’ll do well against Cambridge.”

With no Rovers wins from three games this season, fans have scrutinised the 3-5-2 system.

“I actually enjoy it,” said Butler.

“When we play it properly, it gives us more going forward.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We need to get the three midfielders higher, which we haven’t done.

“We’ve worked on a few systems and we’re comfortable in all of them.

“But I enjoy the three at the back. Obviously injuries haven’t helped and we got another one on Saturday.

“I’m sure whatever team the gaffer picks, we’ll do fine.”

Niall Mason, on loan from Aston Villa, is out for at least a month with a medial knee ligament injury.

Fellow centre-back Mathieu Baudry hopes to resume light training next week but won’t return to action for another three to four weeks.