Ben Whiteman on the two major things that have cost Doncaster Rovers recently

Ben Whiteman feels the first half performance at AFC Wimbledon shows that Doncaster Rovers are not far away from their best.
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Rovers have only won once in their last nine matches in all competitions - something the captain puts down to individual errors and missed chances.

But he says there have been enough positive signs in performances to suggest there is no need to panic that results may continue to be disappointing.

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“I thought the first half on Saturday was up there with one of the best performances we’ve had in terms of decision-making, pressing intensity, how we moved the ball around, how we switched the game up,” Whiteman said.

Doncaster Rovers skipper Ben Whiteman and Reece James meet at fan on their visit to Doncaster Royal InfirmaryDoncaster Rovers skipper Ben Whiteman and Reece James meet at fan on their visit to Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Doncaster Rovers skipper Ben Whiteman and Reece James meet at fan on their visit to Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Wimbledon just couldn’t live with us. Their coaching staff and players thought they’d got away with one.

“I thought we were very good at the weekend but mistakes and missed chances are costing us at the minute.

“Overall it’s not been too bad I don’t think. Results haven’t been what we want, there’s no denying that. And we’re looking at the Christmas period now as a run of games that we want to win.”

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Whiteman believes something that has highlighted the need to cut out individual mistakes is when Rovers have dropped points in games where they have been at their best.

“At the start of the season we were winning games and no one really batted an eyelid at what the performances were like,” he said.

“Sometimes we’ve lost this season when we’ve been very good.

“Mistakes and missed chances are going to cost us at any level.”

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