Early killer, brilliant Balcombe, no margin for error and more talking points from Doncaster Rovers' defeat at West Ham United

A humbling for Doncaster Rovers is not something that has come often in recent years.
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In Darren Moore’s time in charge of the club, only last season’s trips to Gillingham in the FA Cup or Oxford United could really be counted as comprehensive defeats.

So it was an unfamiliar feeling as they were brushed aside by on form Premier League side West Ham United to see their impressive FA Cup run ended in emphatic fashion.

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Here, we look at some of the big talking points from the 4-0 defeat.

Tom Anderson leads Rovers out at the London Stadium. Picture: Gareth Williams/AHPIXTom Anderson leads Rovers out at the London Stadium. Picture: Gareth Williams/AHPIX
Tom Anderson leads Rovers out at the London Stadium. Picture: Gareth Williams/AHPIX

EARLY GOAL THE KILLER

The worst thing that could have happened for Rovers was conceding inside the first two minutes - particularly as they were ruthlessly carved open in the process.

Ryan Fredericks surged into space to receive the ball and cut it back into the box for Pablo Fornals to rifle past Balcombe with 90 seconds on the clock.

West Ham immediately had a position of comfort, allowing them to find their stride and demonstrate their confidence on the ball.

Joe Wright heads on goal. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXJoe Wright heads on goal. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Joe Wright heads on goal. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
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The timing of the goal and the manner of it brought out an uncharacteristic hesitancy and nervousness from Rovers - and that only encouraged West Ham on.

The game’s first ten minutes or so were very worrying from a Rovers perspective as typically calm heads made unforced errors in their determination to get the ball away from danger.

Though they settled, the weight of the desperation not to concede again had a clear impact on Rovers, who were clearly mindful of the necessity of not leaving gaps - and perhaps overly so as there was an absence of risk-taking in their forward play.

BRILLIANT BALCOMBE

Fejiri Okenabirhie looks to get to the ball ahead of West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianksi. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXFejiri Okenabirhie looks to get to the ball ahead of West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianksi. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Fejiri Okenabirhie looks to get to the ball ahead of West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianksi. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX

We only have four matches’ worth of evidence but it is not too much of a stretch to suggest the current man between the sticks is the best Rovers have had in the position this season.

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Even before discussing his string of excellent saves at the London Stadium, Ellery Balcombe has looked incredibly assured in his shot-stopping, catching, positioning and concentration levels since his arrival.

His distribution needs some work, with two many diagonal balls finding touch - though there was a delicious long ball played out wide on Saturday that landed on a sixpence, showing he does have the ability.

Without his efforts on Saturday, the scoreline would have been much wider as he produced a string of excellent saves.

Tom Anderson beats Oladapo Afolayan to a header. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXTom Anderson beats Oladapo Afolayan to a header. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Tom Anderson beats Oladapo Afolayan to a header. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX

It may have been harsh to suggest he could have done better with the third goal, as the corner took a nick off Brad Halliday’s head on it’s way past him, leaving Andy Butler to desperately attempt to keep the ball out, only to turn it into his own goal.

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Balcombe will likely be disappointed with parrying Fredericks’ shot into the path of debutant Oladapo Afolayan who slotted in the fourth.

But it should not take away from an excellent performance on the day.

GIVE THEM AN INCH

It is often said that the biggest difference between the different levels in English football is the margin for error teams are afforded.

And this was laid bare in rather brutal fashion as a team flying high in League One took on a team flying high in the Premier League.

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Misplaced passes led to rapid attacks. Rapid attacks led to real chances.

You just do not get that to such a frightening extent in League One.

The cohesion between West Ham’s front six was incredible, with brilliantly swift movement of the ball seeing them pass their way through Rovers.

In stark contrast, Rovers’ attack-minded players were rarely together in the same postcode, with little connection between the defensive and offensive side of the game.

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West Ham did things that Rovers strive to do as they carry the ball forward. Things that Rovers do consistently against opposition in the league.

Here, the understandable gulf in quality was fully evident.

SAME APPROACH, DIFFERENT OUTCOME

Moore opted for largely the same back seven as he did in the previous round at Blackburn Rovers - although Brad Halliday pushed out of the sitting position on this occasion with Matt Smith dropping deeper.

It worked to perfection at Ewood Park as Rovers soaked up pressure with real composure and linked up well with those attacking players whose responsibility it was to counter quickly.

Soaking up pressure in the same manner was never likely to be as easy, and having conceded so early took away the confidence they could do so.

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There have been a few sneers about Darren Moore naming ‘six defenders’ in his starting XI.

But that is doing a tremendous disservice to the versatility shown by Halliday and Reece James this season.

James himself has gone through a rebranding as a midfielder this season - and a successful one at that. He looks a genuine contender to remain in one of the sitting roles from now on.

And Halliday spends so much of his time in the opposition half, even when he is playing at right back.

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Both offer protection to the defence but have ability on the ball to ensure little is taken away from the dynamism of the Rovers midfield.

A RUN TO BE PROUD OF

Getting to the fourth round of the FA Cup is not a common occurrence for Doncaster Rovers.

And doing so this season, in the circumstances, is an achievement that should not be overlooked.

Four away ties, against increasingly difficult opposition, provided a stern test for Moore’s side.

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They navigated through a trip to non-league opposition with real professionalism before showing grit and determination to see off teams performing well in the division below and above in the next two rounds.

Doing so within the most demanding of seasons is another major plus to Rovers’ efforts.

Saturday was always likely to be the day when the run hit the buffers, and it proved to be.

But it has been a cup run that has captured the imagination and raised some much-needed funds along the way.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.