McSheffrey applauds ‘clever’ Cats for taking advantage of Rovers’ lapses

Gary McSheffrey praised Sunderland's 'clever' attacking play, as his depleted Doncaster Rovers side fell to an emphatic defeat on Monday afternoon.

The caretaker boss is expecting to hear soon whether he will be handed the job on a full-time basis, but sawagainst the Black Cats. McSheffrey was particularly frustrated with Elliot Embleton's well-taken goal just before half time, which came from a clever set piece that caught the defence out.

"We got punished by quality, really," McSheffrey said.

"Saying that, the three goals from our point of view were poor, we lacked a bit of discipline with our shape.

"We tried to press high but our distances weren't right so there needs to be a bit more discipline in our shape a bit longer. As soon as we tried to press it was too late and they've got the players that can just play through you, they were clever.

"They all had good touch, minimal touches, and moved the ball fast until an individual could get a dribble or move up the pitch.

"That was the big differenceat times, we took too many touches of the ball individually and we didn't move it quickly enough, there weren't enough options. We found it difficult.

"We want to be disciplined in our possession and we wanted to be aggressive in turning them, letting them see the numbers on our back, playing in behind their defence. We didn't do it much in the first half. To concede the second as we did in the 41st minute, switching off from a set play.

"I constantly tell the boys, set plays, throw-ins, restarts are not a rest, not a breather.

"You have to get into position quickly, ready to defend.

"Too many saw it as a rest, we were a bit asleep and the gaps were too big.

"Pritchard saw that, he can smell when he can be a threat and he exploits those spaces, he has the awareness as well to chop it for the man inside.

"It was good play from their point of view but really sloppy from ours."

*Lincoln are set to enjoy a successful conclusion to their pursuit of Swansea striker Morgan Whittaker.

The Imps are said to be close to landing the 20-year-old on loan in January. Michael Apple ton was keen to bring in Whittaker before the close of the summer window, but couldn’t get a deal over the line.

The20-year-old,whojoined from Derby County last summer for £700,000, has had to be content with just three Car abaoC up starts this term.