Grant McCann on "unacceptable" Doncaster Rovers trait as he praises Cardiff City's approach

City ran out rampant 4-0 winners in South Yorkshire in a game that showcased their class as they plot an immediate return to the second tier.

McCann held his hands up post-match and believes he should have shown more conviction by making a tactical change at half-time when the score was just 1-0 to the visitors, rather than just before the hour mark with his side 3-0 down and effectively out of the game.

He was also full of praise for Brian Barry-Murphy's side and how they went about their business from a tactical point of view. Rubin Colwill was deployed as an auxiliary centre-forward for the Bluebirds and whilst he didn't get on the scoresheet, he registered an assist and was a superb outlet for his side as Cardiff's exciting array of forwards darted about the Eco-Power Stadium pitch with vigour.

"They're a difficult team to play against," McCann told the Free Press. "They really are. And they pull you into different positions. When I saw Rubin Colwill was playing I knew they'd play a four in there, almost as a box, and keep their wide players high. And that, ultimately, means our centre-backs are picking nobody up.

"They overloaded us and had a 4-v-3 against us and we couldn't get near them although we had the two best chances in the half, before they score."

McCann also made clear his disappointment at the nature of Cardiff's second goal, which saw centre-half Dylan Lawlor begin his run from inside his own half, meander up the pitch, evade a clutch of Rovers players and then score in style.

"I said to the players that from my point of view that (goal) was unacceptable," McCann said. "We've done that a couple of times at home - I think maybe Peterborough scored a goal against us where we never took the foul at the top end of the pitch.

"We need to be thinking that if we can't take the ball, can we take a professional foul? Nine times out of ten you're not going to be booked if you're in the attacking third - obviously you will if you're in your own defensive third. So that was frustrating."

Rovers now turn their attentions to the EFL Trophy with a semi-final at home to Stockport County on Tuesday, with a Wembley final up for grabs for the winners.