Why Doncaster Rovers switched formations for Tranmere Rovers clash

The primary motivation for the switch in formation for Doncaster Rovers was to tackle the challenge of Tranmere Rovers, Darren Moore has revealed.
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Moore has kept faith with a 4-2-3-1 system for the majority of the campaign but opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation for Tuesday night’s trip to Prenton Park.

While the switch allowed the Rovers boss to get new signings Jacob Ramsey and Devante Cole into the team, he said he has spotted weaknesses in Tranmere that he felt could be exploited by the move.

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“We spoke in the week about these players coming in and me being able to tweak and change systems how I see fit,” Moore said.

Ben Whiteman benefited from plenty of space at Tranmere Rovers. Picture: Howard RoeBen Whiteman benefited from plenty of space at Tranmere Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe
Ben Whiteman benefited from plenty of space at Tranmere Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe

“You saw a little glimpse of that in terms of tweaking a system and it working.

“But it was a system tweak because we saw the way they played and spaces where we might have exposed them.

“I’m pleased that those come off.

“Those players give you a different edge that we’ve brought in but also the players that we’ve got in the building also helps to give us that option when we need it.”

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Skipper Ben Whiteman sat in front of the back four and dominated the midfield with a wonderful array of passing.

Moore said: “We know all about Ben’s passing qualities and his ability to control the game and I thought he did control it for us from that position.

“I’m happy for us that those spaces were there but we identified them and used a system to exploit that.”

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