Byrne heaps praise on Doncaster Rovers trio as Hanlan claims much-needed goal in comfortable Rochdale win

Doncaster Rovers assistant coach Cliff Byrne praised his side’s ruthless nature in front of goal during their comfortable 4-1 victory away at Rochdale in the EFL Trophy.

It was the type of result that Rovers desperately needed after the negativity that clouded the club during their shambolic 6-1 loss to MK Dons on Saturday - and although there’s still lots of work to be done, it must be said there were plenty of positives to take from the game in terms of individual performances.

Rovers started the game in disappointing fashion, falling behind in the 15th minute after Ian Henderson’s opener after a poor error from Sean Grehan, but started to build momentum in the second half of the contest, equalising through Alfie May after some great work from Harry Clifton to assist the goal.

Discussing Clifton’s performance, Byrne said: “He's been chomping at the bit really hard to get going, he's had a little bit of a stop-start with the injury that he had. But you're seeing him there this evening. The energy he brings to the team, the opportunity, the creativity. So, I'm sure he'll be pleased to get some strong minutes under his belt.”

Clifton’s performance was a real positive from the victory, another was the goal from Brandon Hanlan - his first of the season - after a bit of a dry patch in front of goal in recent months.

“All the forward players, they sort of inwardly judge themselves on the numbers, what they score, what they set up. But he does tireless work for the group, for the team. Brandon, from his own recognition,he understands he wants to get in the box more and more.

“We say to all the forward players, the more you end up in there,the more opportunity will come your way. I'm really delighted for him tonight to get that one.”

Hanlan benefited from an assist from Jordan Thomas, with the winger coming on at half-time to set up two goals and make a real difference in a contest which Rovers needed to win to be sure of their place in the knockout stages.

“He's going to be a top, top player,” Byrne said.

“ We've tracked Jordan for a number of, probably nearly 12 months, maybe 18 months prior to him coming in. All players would love to come in and hit the ground running, as all the signings we've made,but sometimes it takes you a little bit of rhythm, a little bit of time.

“When you're working at that end of the pitch, we're asking a lot from the players in terms of their output, their energies. So, we do have to freshen them up and rotate them around at times, even though they don't pretty much like that version of it. But Jordan's come on tonight and I think he's showcased what he's all about and what he's going to be capable of and I think he'll grow and grow.”

Byrne went on to praise the impact of fellow substitute Owen Bailey. The skipper came on for Grehan to bring a sense of stability to the backline and despite playing as a centre-back was able to get in and amongst the goals himself.

He added:” Yes, it almost seems like it doesn't matter where you play Owen, at the minute he's going to get on the end of one in the box So, pleased with him on that.

“I thought he came on and put in a reall assured performance.

“A real captain's responsibility out there, ) albeit in a different position, but you could play Owen anywhere on the pitch. He gets his head down and gets on with it, but I thought his first contact from their direct passes and then how he set us on our way and squeezed the line as a back four.So, yes, he came on and had a real impact on the performance, but I feel all the boys did, because, like I said at the outset,it was a game that we knew we'd have to make changes.”