Doncaster Rovers boss Gary McSheffrey labels Lee Tomlin’s Bradford City dismissal ‘stupid’

Doncaster Rovers boss Gary McSheffrey spoke of his pride after his team held on for a draw against Bradford City despite Lee Tomlin’s ‘stupid’ dismissal.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Tomlin’s red card just before half-time left Rovers with a huge challenge to keep out the division’s big guns, who boast a plethora of attacking talent in their ranks.

Read More
Doncaster Rovers hold on for credible opening-day draw against Bradford City

But they stood firm and deserved to return to South Yorkshire with a point on the opening day of the 2022/23 League Two season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"From the moment Tomlin went off I’d have taken a 0-0,” McSheffrey admitted.

"I make no apologies for that. I thought the lads dug in really well."

McSheffrey handed debuts to eight players at the University of Bradford Stadium – six of whom were under the age of 24.

The average age of Doncaster’s back four was also under 23.

Gary McSheffrey. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTDGary McSheffrey. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
Gary McSheffrey. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “I’m proud of the boys because they (Bradford) threw everything at us.

"Should they have won? Yeah of course they should, they missed a couple of good chances at the end. But Johnny (Jonathan Mitchell, goalkeeper) was superb.

"We stood strong. That’s the team I feel I've got now. I’ve got a bunch of men that stay strong.”

McSheffrey confirmed 19-year-old midfielder Liam Ravenhill was substituted in order to protect him after Bradford’s Emmanuel Osabede suffered a double leg-break following his sixth-minute tackle, which left the home crowd furious.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Describing it as ‘a freak one’, McSheffrey said: “It seemed a firm one. Ravs (Ravenhill) took the ball but obviously our thoughts go to him (Osabede) and we hope he can make a speedy recovery.

"We had to protect Ravs and keep 11 men on the pitch. And then we go and get a stupid red card.”

Tomlin, who was shown two yellow cards in quick succession for petulance, was told to thank – and apologise to – each and every one of his teammates after the final whistle.

McSheffrey said of the 33-year-old: “We know he’s an exceptional talent. He’s man enough and mature enough to know that he’s done something silly.

"There will be no grudges held. We’ve had a chat, it’s forgotten and he will win us a lot of points this year.

"Sometimes you need a little lesson in the first game to know not to do something again."