'Take it as a compliment.....but don't accept it' - Darren Moore's message to Doncaster Rovers skipper on close attention from opposition

But he has instructed the 24-year-old to continue finding ways to ensure his rivals’ efforts are in vain.

Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson handed striker Charlie Wyke a man-marking role on Whiteman during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the Keepmoat.

And the Black Cats succeeded where plenty of other sides have failed this season in neutralising the captain for long periods of the game.

“I said to Ben, you can’t get frustrated,” Moore said. “You have to look at it as a compliment.

“Don’t ever accept it because we have to get better at it.

“Look who did the job on him! The boy Wyke!

“Their number nine was playing almost like a man-marker.

“There was an incident in the second half where it was him tackling Ben on the edge of their 18 yard box.

“It was bizarre really but if that is what is going to win you the game, that’s it.

“If they’re man marking you, and thinking of the player who they detailed to man mark you, it’s a compliment.

“They changed their shape for us so we had to deal with a change from the shape that they’ve worked on all season.”

Moore highlighted the opposition tactic as one his side must take on board and learn from as they look to overcome the challenges posed in matches this season.

“It’s different measures and parameters that the team faced and can learn from,” he said.

“I’ll be able to scrutinise the game because it’s a learning thing for us to get better.

“That is certainly one I’ll be looking at in terms of getting better.

“To have that terms of respect and them nullifying us, it’s a good one for us to look at.

“It’s one of the parts in the game where you never finish and you’re never done. As a manager I analyse every game, win lose or draw.

“I analyse it to get better.

“There’s always challenges and hurdles to overcome.

“It presents another challenge for us.”

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