‘We knew we could get in between their backline’ - Rovers boss on Blues win
DONCASTER KNEW they’d be able to exploit Pompey’s defensive reshuffle.
New boss Andy Butler celebrated a win in his first game in charge after succeeding Darren Moore, following his departure for Sheffield Wednesday.
And Butler admitted beating the Blues in his maiden game at the helm ranks up with any achievement in his football career.
Doncaster took advantage of Kenny Jackett’s side being ill at ease with a move to a back three, as Reece James opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
John Bostock exploited the space between Pompey’s back three and wing-back Haji Mnoga to allow James to coolly fire home.
Butler told the Yorkshire Post: ‘The goal was something Reece works on well.
‘He has got a lot of goals this season now and it was a great ball from John (Bostock) to spot the run.
‘We knew we could get in between their backline and the goalkeeper and it was something we worked and with Fay (Okenabirhie) - what a finish.
‘You ask players to come on and make an impact and what an impact.
‘I was in the dressing room before the match and I said to the players that I wanted a performance full of desire, commitment and hard work and when we had the ball - express yourselves.
‘To a player, I thought they were excellent. The players who started were excellent and were those who came on who made an impact. It was a positive result.’
Butler is a popular choice among Doncaster fans to take on the manager’s role until the end of the season on an interim basis.
The former player has been at various coaching roles at the club and was seen as the natural fit to succeed Moore.
He added: ‘It has got to rank alongside my debut if I am totally honest.
‘I took charge of the FC United and Wolverhampton games
(with Moore and his coaching staff self-isolating), but to take charge of the professional team (as permanent manager) and the (Doncaster) Belles is a huge moment for me.
‘It ranks pretty much up there in football terms of moments I will never forget.
‘What a tackle from Reece as well at the end. If we had come in and drawn 2-2, it would have felt like a defeat and if you can see the reaction of the players as well afterwards, it was incredible.
‘You could just see the camaraderie in the dressing room after. Even the substitutes were all buzzing for the lads because we won the game and that is what I want to bring to this club, a winning mentality and not just the 11, but the whole team.’