Dark horses, control, pressing, new boys and other talking points from Doncaster Rovers' stunning win over Ipswich Town

Should they continue with the impressive progress they have demonstrated so far this season, and keep picking up eye-catching wins like this, it won’t be long before they’re joining the ranks of front runners in the minds of pundits.

And rightly so.

If beating Portsmouth with a performance of grit and steel was a statement, demolishing previously unbeaten Ipswich Town during a stunning second half was an emphatic declaration.

And if it keeps happening, the term statement win will go the same way as dark horse.

Not that Rovers themselves are particularly keen on operating in the spotlight. Instead, the mantra of ‘onto the next one’ prevails from the manager down.

Following a performance which required tremendous focus on sticking to the task at hand, there can be no arguing with Darren Moore’s approach to tackling a league campaign.

It is just that the noise surrounding Rovers will only increase the more they produce performances like they did on Tuesday night in a thoroughly entertaining spectacle at the Keepmoat.

It began as two sides brimming with confidence and packed with energetic organisation locked horns, desperate to force mistakes from each other before springing forward to pounce.

As it wore on, it became about control and dominance, with a stranglehold slapped in tightly on proceedings to ensure there was no way back.

And holding the game in the palm of their hands was not the side that arrived at the Keepmoat unbeaten, top of the table, having only conceded twice previously.

PRESS, PRESS, PRESS

It seems a little strange to suggest that the most important factor in Rovers’ tremendous 4-1 triumph was not what they did with the ball, but what they did without it.

But from the first whistle it was a game that demanded excellent organisation backed with a great deal of hard work and determination.

The pace of play was incredible because it needed to be. Both sides looked to press hard and fast to prevent the other from playing. And both did a very good job in the early stages.

It was a full team effort. From Rovers’ perspective, it was led from the front by Fejiri Okenabirhie, while Madger Gomes played a key role just behind him in disrupting the opposition - both men delivering arguably their best performances of the season.

Ipswich lacked an out and out striker among their number so it was inevitable their three man front line of Gwion Edwards, Alan Judge and Freddie Sears were going to offer a dynamic and energetic threat.

Rovers could not allow them to play, and did their best to prevent it.

It went the other way too, with Ipswich targeting Ben Whiteman in particular. The close attention ensured, at least in the first half, that Whiteman was only able to do the neat and tidy work to keep the ball moving and relieve pressure.

That would not last.

CONTROL

The opening goal looked to be crucial in the balance of the game. Luke Chambers created a brilliant overlap on the inside to surge through the Rovers defence and clip a low pass which Joe Wright turned into his own goal.

Rovers were rattled and Ipswich were buoyed. Suddenly it became much easier for the visitors to play and they looked to be taking control of the game.

But the equaliser just before the half hour shifted things. Cameron John continued a forward run to latch onto a well-weighted pass from Matt Smith and smashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

A sense of calm immediately fell over Rovers and they settled back into the pattern that had worked well in the early stages. They also looked after the ball much better.

Though there was a good deal of fortune about the goal that put them ahead, when Whiteman’s ball into the box bounced through and nestled into the back of the net, it represented the change in the balance of the game.

A second half reaction was fully expected from Paul Lambert’s side.

But Rovers succeeded in preventing an Ipswich resurgence from taking place. And as the second 45 minutes wore on, Town looked increasingly shorn of ideas.

Moore has demanded focus and ruthlessness from his side and he got both in a brilliant second half that will go straight into contention for the best Rovers have produced this season.

Calm, composure and tireless work ensured they were in control of play.

And two more goals made that control count on the scoreline.

Josh Sims brilliantly won a penalty after leaving Aristote Nsiala scrambling as he surged onto a ball over the top - though there should be some sympathy with Ipswich’s protestations that the foul started outside the box. And Whiteman smashed home from the spot to double his own tally.

Then it was the turn of workhorse Okenabirhie to get the goal he deserved, when he rifled home from the edge of the box with a superb finish. Game over.

VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

It was a stunning team performance but there were a few stand outs.

Okenabirhie has endured a tough time at the start of this campaign, having to wait for his opportunity and looking rusty when given cameos off the bench.

But he was a colossus in a largely thankless role that involved battling against a physical defence, holding the ball up and creating threat for others.

So there was no surprise when his goal got the biggest reaction of all from the Rovers bench, who roared as he wonderful strike hit the back of the net.

In the middle of the park, Whiteman was sensational. Given a tough time in the opening half, he never looked rattled and always remained composed.

Then he bossed play after the break, keeping Rovers ticking over and on the front foot.

It says plenty that Josef Bursik was rarely called into action by Ipswich’s dynamic attack, largely down to the defensive contribution of the whole back line, with Tom Anderson in particular delivering a commanding performance.

The most vital contribution? The gaffer and his coaching staff. The preparation and plan were spot on which is remarkable given the short amount of time to work ahead of the game.

NEW BOYS

After his impressive cameo off the bench at the weekend, there was a better opportunity to see what Sims will add to the side.

And it was pretty exciting stuff.

He delivered phenomenal pace and strength - as demonstrated with his surging run to win the penalty. He looked dangerous on the ball, did the hard work off it and produced a great pass in the build-up to Okenabirhie’s strike.

It was always likely to be less flashy from Matt Smith on his first real taste of action in Rovers colours. But his contribution was key in the middle of the park as he harried the opposition and played neat passes to keep the ball moving.

He too played a fine pass to set up John for his goal.

What stood out from both players was their individual quality, reflecting their experience at higher higher levels, be that Premier League or international stages.

THE TEAMS

ROVERS: Bursik; Halliday, Wright, Anderson, John; Whiteman, Smith (Williams 85); Taylor, Gomes, Sims (James 77); Okenabirhie (Richards 77). Subs not used: Jones, Butler, Coppinger, Lokilo.

IPSWICH: Holy, Chambers, Nsiala, Wilson, Kenlock, Dozzell, Nolan, Huws (Bishop 60), Judge, Sears (Hawkins 69), Edwards (Bennetts 76). Subs not used: Cornell, McGuiness, Wolfenden, Lankester.

Moore’s delight at Rovers’ doing the less glamorous stuff

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Nancy Fielder, editor.