Doncaster Rovers: "I think it's a really good signing for Doncaster" - The lowdown on new boy Reece James

Reece James has been backed to prove himself as a reliable full back following his arrival at Doncaster Rovers.
Reece JamesReece James
Reece James

The 25-year-old completed his move from Sunderland on Tuesday for an undisclosed fee, signing a ....-year deal after a year at the Stadium of Light.

The Sunderland Echo's football clubs editor Richard Mennear believes James will be a good signing for Rovers.

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"He's a Steady Eddie full back - reliable, comfortable on the ball, a good passer, very good technically and defensively strong," Mennear told the Free Press.

"He had a decent partnership with Aiden McGeady when those two played together on the left.

"I think it's a really good signing for Doncaster.

"He did very well to hold down the left back spot for the majority of the season because there was strong competition from Brian Oviedo and Denver Hume.

"He played in the Checkatrade Trophy final but came off with a knee injury and didn't play again for the rest of the season.

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"It took some time for them to sort out exactly what it was and in the meantime Oviedo came into the side and did well, and Hume was right up there too,

"Oviedo looks likely to go this summer and I think supporters would have been happy to have James and Hume battle it out for the left back spot."

Mennear believes some work may be required for James to get up to speed with the demands Rovers boss Grant McCann puts on his full backs.

McCann's favoured style of play relies on energetic full backs who push high up the pitch.

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While Mennear believes James is more than capable of delivering what McCann wants, he thinks it may take a little time for the 25-year-old to adjust.

He said: "I think that's the one area of his game that he needs to work on - and he said that himself last season.

"He doesn't get forward as much as you'd like, and certainly as much as it sounds like McCann would want.

"But I think he'll have no problems doing it once it clicks. As I said, he's technically very good, comfortable on the ball and he can deliver a decent cross.

"Maybe it's just a confidence thing but I think he'll be fine with a bit of work.

“He’s a good player with good pedigree as his promotion record shows.”