'Played really well' - everything Grant McCann said about Doncaster Rovers’ performance against Huddersfield

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann says he can live with his players making genuine honest mistakes as he aims to try and look at the positives of his side’s 3-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town in the EFL Trophy.

McCann made nine changes to the team that lost 3-2 to Plymouth Argyle at the weekend with Sean Grehan and Brandon Hanlan being the only two players to remain in the team - with the Rovers boss having half an eye on the trip to the capital to face AFC Wimbledon in League One at the weekend.

Rovers started the better of the two sides and deservedly took the lead in the 40th minute through Leon Ayinde after a real good passage of play . They remained in the ascendancy in the opening stages of the second half with Jordan Thomas enjoying a productive patch in a more central role - testing Terriers goalkeeper Jak Alnwick with a series of good efforts at goal.

However, after failing to score the all-important second goal, Rovers’ early efforts were undone by three quick-fire goals from the visitors in the space of just 10 minutes as Jamie Spencer, Joe Low and Lasse Sørensen all got on the scoresheet.

What did Grant McCann say about Doncaster Rovers’ display against Huddersfield?

“I thought it was a good performance from us. Probably some of the best football we've played this season. It's obviously tough to stand here after a defeat when I thought we deserved much more.

“We scored a really good goal, a tremendous goal. The composure, the passing, the link, the movement, the run, the finish, everything that we drive for players to do on an everyday level. It was really pleasing to see.

“We didn't get the second when we were on top in the second half, the first 15-20 minutes. It's been a case probably a little bit this season where we have to take that opportunity to go 2-0 up. We haven't been in that situation yet this season and I think if we do then we'll win the game comfortably.

“The players have made some mistakes for the goals and I can live with that. I can live with the players making honest, genuine mistakes and I said to the players after the game, I said, I feel for you because you played really well there tonight, you deserve much more. Just gutted to stand here after a 3-1 defeat when it could have been easily much more.

“The first goal was just a mistake. We don't clear the box from across and it's a good finish from there.The second one, we get muddled up, I don't know why, but because the players have markers and blockers we get muddled up and the third one it could have very easily been a free-kick on Matty Pearson. But there was really good performances there tonight, really pleased with Leon, really pleased with Jordan Thomas.

“But there was really good performances there tonight, really pleased with Leon, really pleased with Jordan Thomas.I think it was the best we've seen him this season. Bayley McCann was positive again. Good to see Hubby and Matty back, George and Robbo.

“A lot of the team tonight sort of needed their minutes. Also real positive to see three of our academy graduates come onto the pitch who we have high hopes for in Lincoln and Alex and Johnny. Yes, gutted because I felt we deserved much more but I think there's so much positives we can take out of that.”