Darren Moore on how he has addressed defending in wake of Sunderland collapse

Doncaster Rovers may have endured a disastrous day in defence in their defeat at Sunderland but Darren Moore insists that he will not be tearing up the playbook in response.
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Rovers conceded four identical goals at the Stadium of Light as Charlie Wyke was presented with four free headers inside the box in meeting four crosses from Aiden McGeady.

The first came from a corner, with Wyke getting the better of a combination of man marking and zonal marking to get to the ball first.

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Despite the show of vulnerability, Moore says he has no plans to scrap the approach to defending set pieces and will instead hammer home the need for greater concentration ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with Accrington Stanley.

Charlie Wyke heads in again for Sunderland against Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXCharlie Wyke heads in again for Sunderland against Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Charlie Wyke heads in again for Sunderland against Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX

“So far, it’s served us quite well,” he said.

“When you concede from a set play it usually tells you that it’s a lapse in concentration and not reacting when the ball comes into an area.

“Nine times out of ten we’ve dealt with those and we’ve seen those off.

“On Saturday we didn’t and it only takes a second to concede a goal.

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“The best thing to do is have a reset and get ready to go again.

“We’ll do the bit of work before the next game and we’ll make sure we’re ready.”

On the goals conceded at the weekend, Moore admits he was stunned and can only put them down to players switching off at key moments.

“How bizarre that we’ve conceded four goals all from the same player scoring and the same players assisting,” he said. “Four identical goals.

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“For me, the players don’t become bad players overnight. It was just lapses of concentration, for whatever reason.

“It was so uncharacteristic from us with how we’ve been.

“We just got caught back on our heels and they were soft goals to concede. They were poor and avoidable.

“The big thing for us going into the next game is that we readdress the situation.

“It’s just making sure that individually and collectively we’re doing our jobs and the communication is right on the pitch.

“That’s where it needs to come into it.

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“We need to make sure we stay more switched on, especially in the early parts of the game.”

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