Andy Butler 'keen to ease pressure' on Doncaster Rovers after MK Dons loss

Rovers slumped to a 1-0 defeat at MK Dons which saw them drop out of the top six for the first time in two months.

And he felt his side struggled with the pressure of creating in attack as they failed to threaten for much of the game, with Milton Keynes winning courtesy of a deflected Daniel Harvie strike.

“Where I felt we lacked was the final third,” Butler said.

“I’m not blaming any individual because we attack as a team and we defend as a team. It’s just the final third entries that weren’t good enough for me.

“It’s something we’ll address. We’ve spoken to the players in the changing room.

“I want to take the pressure off them. I think they feel the pressure in the final third to make something happen, whereas earlier in the season it was more off the cuff.

“It’s about not being predictable in what we do. We seem to be predictable and making it easier for defending teams.”

Rovers have won just twice in their last 12 matches and a once strong position inside the play-off places has eroded away as a result.

Butler rejected suggestions the pressure of holding onto a top six spot was getting to his side.

“I don’t think it’s down to the position we’re in because we’re still in a great position,” he said.

“Obviously results have not gone well over the last 12 games but it’s still the same players that have got us into this position.

“It’s just that belief that isn’t there that when things go right we’ll get chances.

“We had a couple of chances from our press but we lacked that final pass, that clinical pass.

“For as much as we did with the ball, we never really tested their keeper which is something we’ll address.”

Butler confirmed that Joe Wright was withdrawn in the second half due to a tight hamstring but is hopeful the centre half will not miss matches as a result.

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