Darren Moore explains thinking behind personnel and system change for Doncaster Rovers in Fleetwood Town

Bostock and Robertson both made their first starts for the club as Moore rejigged his line-up, switching to a 4-3-3 formation from his usual 4-2-3-1.

The Rovers boss said the reasons for his personnel changes were double pronged, with a desire to get match minutes into the new players as well as Madger Gomes and Taylor Richards not being in condition to start a second game in four days

“Madger and Taylor weren’t quite in the position to sustain 90 minutes and then turn around in two or three days to go again,” he said.

“Speaking to the medical and sports science department, we felt that the likes of John Bostock and Scott Robertson needed minutes.

“Those two were always going to have 60 minutes and then bring the boys on that we did.

“Unfortunately, as we were making the change, two minutes later we conceded from a set play which was poor from our point of view.

“That was always the plan for the game. Those boys got minutes and those minutes will benefit us in the games to come.”

Rovers started well with Jason Lokilo putting them ahead after eight minutes but they quickly found themselves under pressure having failed to take control of possession.

Fleetwood overturned the deficit around the hour mark with goals from Kyle Vassell and Paddy Madden before former Rovers full back Danny Andrew rounded off the scoring two minutes from time.

Moore explained his switch to a 4-3-3 system was designed to put pressure on Fleetwood’s three man back line, but admitted that did not materialise after the bright opening to the game.

“We wanted to push on and engage them further up the pitch because they play the three at the back,” he said. “We wanted to get them high up the pitch and stop them at source.

“I thought in the first 20-25 minutes we were fine and we got the goal.

“But we never really settled into the match. We never settled down and enjoyed the ball.

“If anything, we were giving it away too easily.”

Both Bostock and Robertson looked to be lacking match sharpness before being taken off on the hour mark.

And Moore said the demands of the schedule will mean they have to build that during matches, meaning they must quickly get to grips with performing in a Rovers side.

“We know over the next two or three weeks these boys have got to build on their minutes and find their group cohesion,” he said.

“They need to learn it quickly because in order to get their fitness, it’s going to come with game time.

“I thought it was a good game for them, with the intensity that Fleetwood would put on them and hopefully it should stand them in good stead.

“It was a good 60 minutes to get under their belts and get them ready for Saturday.”

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