Tactical constraints, controversy and form concerns: Doncaster Rovers talking points after Stockport County loss

Disappointment, frustration and lots to work on were the main takeaways from Grant McCann’s post-match press conference after Doncaster Rovers’ 2-0 defeat to Stockport County at home.

It was Rovers second defeat in a row as they reached the half-way point of a quartet of fixtures which were always going to be challenging.

Rovers were second best for most of the 90-minute contest. They held their own defensively in of the first-half and were largely able to limit Stockport’s chances to score, but as the game progressed there was only really one team that looked like scoring, with Jimmy McNulty’s side going up a gear in the second half and scoring twice in the space of six minutes through Mamadou Jobe and Kyle Wootton.

However, there was one key incident which could have perhaps changed the pattern of the game. Here are our talking points from Doncaster Rovers’ loss to Stockport County.

Refereeing controversy

With the score still goalless, Grant McCann was left furious in the 32nd minute when Mamadou Jobe appeared to stamp on Bayley McCann during a coming together, only for the referee to take no disciplinary action.

“Straight red card, how the fourth official doesn't say it, I'll never know,” Grant McCann said.

“I've managed, well I've got myself booked because of it and because I could see it, the whole stadium, particularly with the fans behind me, could see it. When you're playing against one of the best teams in the division and certainly invested heavily in their squad, you need their decisions to go your way.”

That proved a watershed moment with Jobe going on to score the opening goal from a sloppily defended set-play in the 53rd minute.

Tactical constraints

In recent weeks, Doncaster Rovers have played predominantly with a back three due to their lack of options in the full-back areas, with James Husband, Jamie Sterry, Jack Senior and now Tom Nixon all sidelined.

It means that the same three centre-backs: Jay McGrath, Sean Grehan and Neill Byrne are being asked to go again and again - while it also means that players like Jordan Thomas (prior to injury), Leon Ayinde and Bayley McCann have had to play as makeshift wing-backs.

At this moment in time, it’s resulting in a team that’s struggling to maintain possession, keeping just 32.8% against Stockport, and struggling to provide service to the likes of Alfie May and Brandon Hanlan in attack.

As it stands, Rovers are the joint fifth lowest scorers in the division with 10 in as many matches, while they’ve also registered the sixth lowest number of shots on target and crosses into the box out of all the teams in the division.

“Jamie Sterry and Jack Senior have both trained the last few days. So we just want to build them up,” said McCann.

“I'd love them back because they're the two best full backs in the league in my opinion.

“We're having a play formation, which is different because there's no full backs and we haven't really got an option to play any other way.”

Star players struggling for form

When Doncaster Rovers secured Owen Bailey's long-term future, the news was celebrated by sections of the fanbase almost like a new signing, and rightly so. Bailey scored 16 goals across all competitions last season and was a deserved member of the League One Team of the Season.

However, despite remaining an ever-present in midfield, he has yet to reproduce the same level of attacking influence this term. Goals are only one part of his game, but Rovers have not seen him impact matches in quite the same way as he did last season.

Alfie May is another player who has yet to reach his previous heights. He has scored three league goals, but has not consistently produced the sort of performances that made him such a threat in League One with Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic.

At times, May has looked isolated up front. On other occasions, he has dropped deeper in an attempt to get involved, highlighting the difficulty Rovers are having in getting their forward players into dangerous positions.