Andy Butler can't sugercoat Doncaster Rovers' sub-standard display against Northampton

‘Disappointing’ Doncaster Rovers did not deliver a performance to their usual standards in their dour draw with Northampton Town according to boss Andy Butler.
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Rovers controlled possession for long stretches of the game but failed to create clear cut chances or produce the attacking spark to break down the visitors.

And Butler was frustrated with the performance from his side as they failed to win for the second straight game.

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"It was disappointing," he said. "I don't think we played with any sort of urgency or tempo.

Andy Butler gives instructions to Taylor Richards during the draw with Northampton Town. Picture: Ed Sykes/AHPIXAndy Butler gives instructions to Taylor Richards during the draw with Northampton Town. Picture: Ed Sykes/AHPIX
Andy Butler gives instructions to Taylor Richards during the draw with Northampton Town. Picture: Ed Sykes/AHPIX

"Northampton came here and set their stall out for a 0-0 and get something on the break or a set piece. We had to be switched on for them, which we were and that's a positive.

"We're so much better than that though.

"We allowed them to get back into shape and dictate the tempo. That was disappointing.

"We're usually a free-flowing football side. Northampton came with a gameplan to stifle and they did that.

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"We spoke about it before the game that playing with some sort of tempo would move them about but we allowed them to get into their shape too much.

"There was never really any threat. We had some urgency at the end but that was it really.

"The players have got standards they know about and they didn't reach them. I'm not going to sit here and say it was a vintage Doncaster Rovers performance because it wasn't.

"We can improve and that's what we've got to do."

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