Free- flowing Rovers proving worthy of their lofty position

DONCASTER ROVERS are the real deal under Darren Moore.

The former defender’s first season in charge at the Keepmoat was cut short with Rovers adrift of the play- off places but they have strengthened, once more making good use of the loan market, and showed what they are made of by sweeping Ipswich Town aside.

The Tractor Boys had only dropped two points and conceded twice in their opening six League One matches. They took the lead in South Yorkshire but once they gave Rovers a sniff, there was no hauling them back. With first- choice centre- forward

Tyreece John- Jules out injured for the rest of the month, Doncaster scored four times in response.

Doncaster are playing a 4- 23- 1 formation with all the facets ( and flaws) of top- level Premier League football. No wonder they are finding it so easy to persuade youngsters in the top academies to come and learn with them.

Not that it was all about the youngsters. Captain Ben Whiteman pulled the midfield strings with another command performance and was rewarded with two goals. Warding off Barnsley’s interest was probably Doncaster’s best work of the transfer window.

With only a smattering of people watching, mainly from the directors and press boxes, last night’s game had the feel of an Under- 23 game, and both sides moved the ball around smartly on a good surface.

Ipswich, who were missing striker Kayden Jackson but no one else to coronavirus after testing the whole squad on Monday, came into the game top of the table and looked a good bet to record a fourth straight win in the early stages.

Emyr Huws shot at goalkeeper Josef Bursik after some hungry pressing forced Doncaster to hand the ball over near their penalty area and it was no great shock when the Tractor Boys took the lead in the 16th minute, veteran full- back Luke Chambers overlapping Freddie Sears at the end of a good move and putting over a cross Joe Wright could only turn into his own net.

But they did not go for the jugular, and allowed Doncaster, who clearly have a belief in what Moore is asking of them, back into the game.

“In the opening stages we were a little bit frantic with it because the game was at a ferocious pace,” said Moore.

“It was just about keeping our composure.

“I don’t think we were too erratic and we stayed in the game.”

A poor clearance from goalkeeper Tomas Holy midway through the first half picked out one on- loan full debutant in Southampton’s Josh Sims, used on the left wing, and the ball was worked to the other, Manchester City’s No 10 Matt Smith, whose shot was off target. Both new boys showed flashes which underlined their pedigree.

Doncaster’s football was sufficiently fluid that Smith played in left- back Cameron John, popping up just to the right of the centre of the goal, to smash an equaliser in off the crossbar.

Coming after 29 minutes, it was the hosts’ first shot on target and the effect on their confidence on was instant and obvious. Soon John was laying the ball off again and heading straight into the centreforward position as if he had won the right to play there.

Doncaster won a 37th- minute corner which was pulled back to Whiteman around 30 yards out to hit a fairly straight ball into the penalty area – so straight, in fact, that when nobody got a touch it nestled inside the post.

Part of the modern way of playing involves a goalkeeper who loves the ball at his feet and England Under- 21 international Bursik, on loan from Stoke City, was always calling for it. His 49thminute pass picked out Aristote Nsaila rather than anyone in red- and- white hoops, but Bursik saved from Sears.

Ipswich’s defending had grown increasingly uncertain, and Rovers exploited it with two more goals. When Sims chased a ball clipped down the line, Nsiala brought him down. Whether it was just inside or outside the area was hard to tell – guess what the Ipswich bench thought? – but there was no doubt about Whiteman’s penalty. He certainly meant that shot.

Feijiri Okanbirhie put the game beyond doubt in the 75th minute as Doncaster pounced on more defensive uncertainty. Okanbirhie smashed it home as if he was trying to outdo John, and punched the air with joy. He is the sixth player to score for Rovers this season.

“( Ipswich) are a talented team with players who have plied their trade at a far higher level with a great manager,” said a proud Moore. His side are more than worthy of that company. Doncaster Rovers: Bursik; Halliday, Anderson, Wright, John; Whiteman, Gomes; Taylor, Smith ( Williams 85), Sims ( James 76); Okenabirhie ( Richards 76). Unused substitutes: Lokilo, Jones, Butler, Coppinger. Ipswich Town: Holy; Chambers, Nsiala, Wilson, Kenlock; Nolan, Dozzell, Huws

( Bishop 60); Judge, Sears ( Hawkins 69), Edwards ( Bennetts 76). Unused substitutes: McGuinness, Woolfenden, Lankester, Cornell. Referee: S Oldham ( Lancashire).

I don’t think we were too erratic and we stayed in the game. Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Moore his side’s response to falling behind.