Ferguson: ‘That was complete shambles’
DARREN Ferguson lambasted his Doncaster side and called them an “embarrassment” after Rovers conceded four goals in 25 minutes as they were thrashed by relegation rivals Colchester United.
Gary McSheffrey had given the visitors the lead in the first half, but goals from Elliot Lee and Alex Gilbey in the space of 61 seconds gave the U’s a 3-1 lead heading into the last 15 minutes.
Chris Porter had equalised on the hour mark, while Richard Brindley completed the rout in the closing stages, which Ferguson admitted could have been more than it was.
“That’s probably the worst half an hour I’ve seen,” he said.
“I’m absolutely fuming, that was a complete embarrassment.
“It’s nonsense what I’ve seen out there.We’ve lost four goals and it could easily have been seven.
“We had no characters, nobody leading the side. We completely collapsed as a team, it was an absolute shambles.
“I could easily play the youth team against Blackpool on Monday, and I think the fans would probably appreciate that. I can’t defend that performance.
“Clearly we are miles short of characters.When I see a performance like that, I have to say I fear for safety. I need to now pick a team that won’t embarrass the football club.”
It was a tenth defeat in 11 outings for Rovers, who now sit two points from safety prior to their next relegation clash tomorrow.
This was in spite of a first-half lead, courtesy of new loan signing McSheffrey slotting home from James Coppinger’s raking cross-field ball.
But Colchester upped their game stunningly after the break, with Gavin Massey weaving his way into the area before cutting back for Porter to slot home.
Lee, curling in from 22 yards, and Gilbey scored long-range efforts to flip the contest, while Brindley sealed a thumping which took the U’s off the bottom and eight points from safety.
Manager Kevin Keen said:“At halftime, I just reminded them how good they are, and just got them to do things properly, passing the ball around and playing attacking football.
“This win was for the supporters.
“The players were amazing at times in that second half.
“Quite a few lads produced, but Gavin was very, very good, as were those two wonder goals.
“There haven’t been too many days I’ve been able to enjoy at the club, but this is one of them and I hope the fans can too.
“To get to 3-1 with ten minutes to go was a big moment.
“We’ve got to now make sure we are ready for Coventry on Tuesday.”