Doncaster Rovers' flying full backs on their ever-increasing attacking responsibility

This season in particular, it has been startling how high up the field the two are positioned when Rovers are in possession.

When Rovers have the ball at the back, the two full backs will more often than not push into the opposing half and tuck inside, putting them between the sitting midfielders and the advanced players.

It is something which requires a tremendous amount of understanding from all players in the team, as there will be times when others have to drop in to add cover in the defence.

But it is an approach that is proving not only successful for Rovers, but also extremely enjoyable for those players in the positions.

“It’s class,” right back Brad Halliday told the Free Press.

“The gaffer really encourages us to get forward and when we do get forward, we spend a lot of time in the opponents’ half.

“When we lose balls, we have great work rate up top and the midfield areas so we can press the ball, get after it and win the ball high up.

“It means myself and Reece [James] on the other side that we’re not doing as much defending.”

James added: “The gaffer wants to take us to a whole different level. We had the start with him last season, we knew how he wanted to play and this season he’s pushed us even more.

“You want that as a player. You want your manager pushing you and he’s certainly doing that.

“He wants us higher up the pitch and having that killer instinct.”

Cameron John - who has deputised at left back in James’ absence - said: “It’s quite fun. It’s fun to create your own chances, be creative and so high up the pitch, having the opportunity to be up there.

“It’s not just about defending. As a full back you’ve got to be able to do both.

“Being able to have that opportunity, I’m sure Reee and Brad would say it, you relish it. If we can keep getting in those positions we can keep capitalising on it.

“I feel like I should have scored one or two at Oldham but if I keep getting those chances then I’ll put some of them away.”

Key to the approach working in both an attacking and attacking sense is the relationships formed between full backs and wide forwards.

Halliday in particular has shown a tremendous understanding with Jon Taylor.

Often, Taylor will stay hugged to the touchline while Halliday will come inside, creating room for each other and providing a free option for a pass. But they are more than comfortable to mix up the approach, while Taylor will often race back to cover if Rovers lose possession with Halliday high up the pitch.

“I think we have a good understanding,” Halliday said of his partnership with Taylor.

“We played a lot of games last season together and the majority of this season as well.

“He works hard, he covers a lot of ground and in attack he’s a real threat.

“I just need to keep giving him the ball.

“He’s got a great workrate so as long as he keeps tracking back, it makes my job a lot easier.”

James’ excellent crossing ability has seen him largely remaining on the outside when playing alongside James Coppinger, whose first instinct is to cut inside and head towards goal.

The left back insists relationships across the pitch are vital, particularly when it comes to trusting there will always be someone there to offer support.

“I think you’ve got to have good relationships all over the park, be it with your centre half or the winger in front or the central midfielder,” he said.

“You operate on tight ropes so you have to make sure if one goes, one comes in behind or covers from the other side.

“It’s about the right balance and the gaffer makes sure we’ve got that.”

Though an increasing amount of what is asked of full backs focuses on the attacking side of the game, they will still be judged heavily on their defensive contribution.

But as attack begins to outweigh defence, how difficult is it for full backs to be able to focus on pushing up the pitch and not worrying too much about what might happen in their own territory.

“It’s quite different, quite fun being able to express myself and having that bit more freedom,” said John, who is primarily a centre half.

“Defending is our main art, and even though we’re attacking up the pitch, we’ve still got to make sure we’re taking care of our responsibility at the other end.

“If we keep a clean sheet and defend well, if we’re creating and giving the ball to our creative players, we’ll create chances and win games.”

“I do like attacking. I feel like it’s a big part of my game,” Halliday added.

“As we’ve had in previous weeks when we’ve gone a couple of goals up, I don’t need to go forward as much so I can concentrate on the defending which is my trade really.”

James again pointed to the relationships with others on the pitch and the trust he feels in his teammates.

“I think you do have to put it out of your mind a little bit as you get forward,” he said.

“I like to look at Tom [Anderson] and think he’s always there covering me. He does a really good job at that. He’s unbelievable.

“I think when we look at things like that we’ve got to be resolute and make sure we’re not wide open at the back. The gaffer doesn’t want us to be wide open.

“As much as he wants us to go forward, he wants us to make sure we’re getting back to cover.”

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