RECAP: Walsall 0 Doncaster Rovers 0: Rovers win 4-3 on penalties

Rovers are still seeing more of the ball than the opposition in this game but the incisiveness of their play has certainly dropped off. Their passing into the final third has been poor over the last ten minutes or so.

Former Rovers, and now Sheffield Wednesday, assistant manager Jamie Smith is here, scouting ahead of this weekend’s South Yorkshire derby.

It has been decent from Rovers in the early stages of this game. Richie Wellens wanted his side to show more control that they did on Saturday and it has been so far, so good on that front.

There’s a patience about their play, they don’t look as nervy as they did at the weekend and they look a lot more confident in possession.

Walsall are not pressing with the intensity that Wimbledon did, which is helping. But so too is the base provided by Ben Close and, in particular, John Bostock. He is generally available for a pass back if the pressure rises and is getting Rovers on the front foot again quickly with some incisive passing.

Some decent, controlled play from Rovers leads to their first effort on target. John Bostock played out to Kyle Knoyle, who turned inside to Omar Bogle. The striker turned and lashed a low effort from 20 yards which proved an easy gather for Walsall keeper Carl Rushworth, despite a slight deflection.

It very much looks like Richie Wellens has sent his side out in a 4-2-3-1 system with Bostock and Close in the sitting positions.

The width is coming from the two full backs who are getting very high up the pitch.

A really good ball through the middle sent Tyrese Shade racing away for Walsall on the right. He powered a ball towards the back post that Kieran Phillips was looking to slide onto but he missed it by millimetres courtesy of a slight deflection. Rovers let off.

Rovers built a decent attack with Dan Gardner playing a decent pass through the middle from deep into Ben Close. The midfielder then slid in Cameron John who squared across the box with Omar Bogle striking the ball first time but sending it well over the bar.

Emmanuel Osadebe fired over the bar from 15 yards after sustained period of attack from Walsall.