Familiar issues, a missed opportunity, the need for presence and more talking points from Doncaster Rovers' defeat at Oldham Athletic

After repeating the events of Saturday’s loss at Wigan Athletic in Tuesday night’s defeat at Oldham Athletic, the evidence is clear.

The taking of chances is vital - not just in the winning of matches but also in keeping Rovers’ levels of attacking aggression high.

Once again they dominated the first half with crisp, thrilling, attacking football.

But their superb quality in build-up play only adds to the growing frustration when they fail to convert it into goals.

And having fired blanks for the opening 45 minutes, once again their performance levels dipped in the second half.

Oldham, like Wigan, had the opportunity to regroup at the break and altered their approach, pushing themselves higher up the pitch and putting them squarely into Rovers’ faces rather than inviting the opposition on.

And, once again and quite frankly, Rovers wilted.

Mistakes prevailed over quality and it proved costly. Both Oldham goals could have been prevented.

Louis Jones had produced a string of excellent diving saves to keep out long range efforts from the hosts. But he will be no doubt kicking himself after he got a hand to Danny Rowe’s well-struck free kick but could not keep the ball out at his near post.

And slack passing in the middle of the park set the lively Zach Dearnley free to weave past flatfooted defending and rifle in the second.

Just like on Saturday, there was never the feeling that Rovers had it in them to recover and fight back.

For a side so rampant in the first few matches, that only increases frustration levels.

DON’T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER

Just because the problem with Rovers’ last two performances is easy to identify does not mean it is as simple to resolve.

Structurally, there is not a great deal wrong with how Rovers are approaching games.

They have superb technical quality, excellent vision and great attacking organisation.

Relationships and understandings are blossoming across the pitch and it makes for an incredibly entertaining experience when Rovers hit their stride.

Everything about the build-up play is effective. And you would not want to change it, either for success or aesthetic reasons

The problem comes inside the final 20 yards, where chances are rushed, the wrong option is chosen and quality evaporates.

Confidence does not look to be a factor but composure certainly is. And Darren Moore will spend the next week or so doing his damndest to bring it out of his players.

MENTALITY MATTERS

Another aspect Moore will address is what he termed the ‘mental capacity’ of his players in relation to how they ride through frustration.

The manner in which Rovers’ performances have dropped off in the second halves of their last two games is a major concern and one which needs to be resolved.

Having dominated first halves, they have waned all too easily, rather than keeping up their overwhelming attacking style.

The opposition in both matches certainly played a part in that but so too did Rovers, whose tempo and fervor wilted.

Having knocked on the door for much of the first half without it being opened, they do not appear to be capable of continuing their efforts to hammer away in the hope of the desired response.

And that is incredibly frustrating given so much of what they are doing is correct.

Arguably this should be at the top of Moore’s agenda to resolve during this unexpected break from action. Keeping Rovers driving on into the second half will certainly help them on the goal trail.

PRESENCE PROBABLY REQUIRED

The main component Rovers appear to be lacking in their squad currently is someone to break up play in the middle of the park.

Ben Whiteman is adept at the role but his primary duty is to sit deep and find team mates with his wonderful array of passing.

And his fellow midfielders, while hard working and always ready to chase back, are more focused on pushing up the pitch and attacking.

With the budget stretched to its limits following the latest developments on the return of crowds to stadiums, it will take some strong negotiation in the loan market for Rovers to land any further signings.

Adding a body into midfield is not quite essential, but it would give them a fresh element, particularly when times get tough in matches.

It would be foolish to alter the overall approach and shave anything off the creativity that Rovers have demonstrated recently.

But when the game shifts, as it has done in the last two, the ability to introduce someone who can disrupt the opposition in the middle of the park would certainly be handy.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

There has been clamour for Fejiri Okenabirhie to be given more game time and he was handed a start in a rejigged system at Boundary Park.

But in what appeared to be an overeagerness to impress, the striker struggled to make much of an impression throughout the game.

His decision-making at times was off and he rushed chances from which he would typically produce dangerous moments.

Perhaps rustiness is a factor but Rovers need Okenabirhie ready to fire whenever called upon, be it from the bench or the start.

PROGRESSION IS POSSIBLE

With defeat at Boundary Park, Rovers gave themselves it all to do in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.

Oldham surged through with their two wins from two in the competition the brightest part of their struggle of a campaign so far.

Rovers now sit on two points, level with both Bradford City and Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s, who they close the group against next month.

Plenty will have to go their way in they are to snatch the second qualification spot.

READ MORE

Player ratings from a frustrating night at Boundary Park

Moore keen to address ‘mental capacity’

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