How Darren Moore plans to address Doncaster Rovers' 'mental capacity'

Boss Darren Moore has pointed to his side’s ‘mental capacity’ following the losses at Wigan Athletic and Oldham Athletic, particularly in regards to their failure to take chances, keep up their front foot efforts and avoid poor mistakes in defence.

Promoting a change in mental approach is Moore’s primary goal before Rovers resume action at Portsmouth next Saturday.

With an intangible aspect of the game such as mentality, altering it can be easier said than done but Moore has a clear idea of how he will approach doing so.

“You can show them points in the first halves where that mental capacity wasn’t there and where it was more a positive one,” he told the Free Press.

“It’s identifying that they have got the ability but it’s about staying connected with the game and engaged with the game.

“It’s about talking them through those points in the game when the game drifts late on and if its tight., it’s about staying in.

“There’s going to be games this season where it is tight and we’re going to be in the 88th minute all square. If there’s going to be a chance, let that chance fall to us because we’re solid and disciplined.

“On Tuesday night, it’s two lapses of concentration when I look at both goals. Again, like Saturday, we don’t feel like we’ve been opened up by an opposition and if anything we’ve done all the running in the game.

“To come away on the back of two losses, having conceded three goals in two games, and when I look at the balance of the play over the two games, it’s a bit baffling.

“For a manager it’s up to me to spot it, identify it and rectify it.”

While looking to prevent his players from losing their drive and focus in the second half of matches in which they have failed to take the lead is key, Moore also believes mental issues are contributing to the lack of chances being taken despite dominance.

He said: “Again, I’m putting it down to the mental side of it, the attitude to get the right contact on it.

“Did they play well again? Yes. Did they move the ball well? Yes. Did they create chances? Yes.

“Was the final touch there to score the goals? No.

“At the other end, were they solid? Yes. Did they get the first contacts? Yes.

“But a free kick, we switch off and from our own throw-in, we miscontrol the ball and both efforts are in the back of the net.

“That’s the way the game has gone and it’s sometimes baffling as a manager that you don’t see these things coming because they’re mistakes.

“It’s about the attitude to stay connected to the game and I think that’s the big thing when I look back at both games.”

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