Emphatic answers, super Sims, a perfect storm - Talking points from Doncaster Rovers' win over Gillingham

Goals from Reece James and Brad Halliday secured the win with Kyle Dempsey netting for Gills.

Here, we take a look at some of the big talking points from the victory.

BREAKING BLOCKS

It cannot be denied that Rovers had been ‘figured out’ after the first couple of months of the season.

Opposition teams quickly caught on that if you allow them to dictate play in midfield, it is unlikely to be a profitable afternoon.

So virtually every week teams are looking to shut them down, through a combination of targeting Ben Whiteman and denying them space in the middle of the park.

And that applies to sides with concerns at the bottom end of the table and those with ambitions of battling at the top, such as Sunderland and Hull.

Overcoming that attention on a consistent basis has been a toil for Rovers, accounting for the drop in performance levels over the last six weeks or so - despite results still being decent.

But there was little arduous about the manner in which they broke down Gillingham to deliver a quite superb performance.

Whereas in recent games they have kept the ball at the back and patiently waited for opportunities to open up, here they set about making sure they did from the first whistle.

And it was all about movement, involving everyone on the pitch barring the centre halves and goalkeeper.

There were unexpected forward runs from deep, players popping up in completely different positions and constant rotation of positioning.

It was driven by a superb tempo and dynamism that was present from the first whistle.

It ensured Gillingham were dragged out of shape and never able to establish the blue wall they were so desperate to build.

So breaking down the opposition was joyful rather than toilsome. And it was successful.

A PERFECT STORM

What was apparent during this excellent performance was how important all players being switched on was for it to work.

Each player delivered a high quality showing, packed with energy to make sure the plan worked. As they swarmed around the pitch there was a hive mind with every individual focused on the task and performing well.

In particular, the midfield cluster delivered arguably their best collective performance of the season with Ben Whiteman, Matt Smith and Taylor Richards all excellent, joined by the tireless Reece James who was all over the pitch rather than pinned to the left flank, certainly in the first half.

Add to that the explosive performance of the outstanding Josh Sims and the liveliness of Tyreece John-Jules in attack and Rovers were very difficult to pin down.

The passing play was on point, with incisiveness and direction helping Rovers take advantage of the superb work delivered to get players into spaces.

It was a truly great collective performance.

NOT JUST ABOUT POSITIONS

It would be very simple to say that both Rovers goals came from full backs because, in their profiles, that is exactly what Reece James and Brad Halliday are.

But both have shattered that categorisation through their versatility and ability this season.

James in particular has played all over the pitch - and Darren Moore even hinted that he might have another position in him that we have yet to see.

He was everywhere on Saturday, moving around with purpose and finding pockets of space, as he did with his goal on 29 minutes.

And he has also shown himself to be a pretty natural finisher too, with each of his three goals this season.

This one was very good as he latched onto a layoff from John-Jules and poked a shot home.

Natural finishing is not something you would attribute to Halliday but his first goal for the club was just rewards for a tremendous amount of commitment and phenomenal work rate.

After an outing on the right wing last week, he was back at right back this. But in truth he played more like a right winger in an impressive tandem with Josh Sims for the majority of the game.

And he could have had another goal after a brilliant run from inside his own half only to lift his shot narrowly over the bar.

SIMS CITY

You are probably not going to want to hear this but it is going to be difficult for Rovers to keep hold of Josh Sims beyond this initial loan.

Clubs will be taking notice of his incredible performances such as this one. Clubs higher up the league ladder with greater resources.

And Southampton will be spotting an opportunity to cash in, with him about to enter the final six months of his contract.

He was at his explosive best, with driving runs with the ball that had the Gillingham defence rattled and scrambling on almost every occasion.

And he consistently found team mates with passes or cut backs.

The only thing missing was a goal - and he went close to that.

So, enjoy him while you can. A player who looks like he’s operating at least one level below his abilities does not stay a secret for too long.

SQUAD GOALS

The main criticism of Saturday’s performance from Rovers was the fact they did not make their dominance count on the scoresheet.

They certainly had the chances to do so with Sims, John-Jules, Smith and Halliday among those going close to finding the net.

Barring the nervy finish to the game that the fragility of a one goal lead brought, there was nothing to be too concerned about on the day as the chances kept coming - and for a variety of players.

That applies in the season as a whole as Halliday became the 13th different goalscorer of the season for Rovers.

The burden is being shared - and that can only be a good thing.

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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.