WE McCANN DO BETTER THAN THAT!
Rovers boss unimpressed despite win
GRANT McCann was far from impressed, despite seeing his Doncaster side progress to the third round with victory at Charlton.
Both teams are battling it out for a place in the League One play-offs and it was the Addicks who won the same fixture just four weeks ago by the same scoreline at The Valley.
Opposite number Lee Bowyer made nine changes for the second-round cup clash, a decision that ultimately proved costly as Mark Marshall deflected Andy Butler’s 67th-minute header into his own goal and John Marquis’ decisive second 10 minutes later eased an almost-full-strength Rovers side onwards in the competition.
Butler flicked on Danny Andrew’s free-kick, allowing former Millwall striker Marquis to head home from close range.
Ian Lawlor made a stunning save to somehow keep out Marshall’s 87th-minute header, while Dillon Phillips was called into action to deny Mallik Wilks and Paul Taylor. Toby Stevenson headed over when it looked easier to score for Charlton as the game swung from end to end late on.
Doncaster deservedly held on for a clean sheet and a place in the thirdround draw. But even though it was the Yorkshiremen who could now potentially be on course for a glamour tie at a Premier League giant, Keepmoat chief McCann wasn’t exactly in party mood at the final whistle.
The Ulsterman said: “I didn’t think we were at our usual standards, but we won the game and are in the next round. That was the most important thing. With the atmosphere in the stadium, it was almost like a bit of a friendly game in the first half. It was dead from both teams.
“There was just no real tempo in the game and I don’t know whether it was a mindset thing, whether we knew they had made a lot of changes.
“I didn’t think we had that spark about us, that energy or that aggression that we’ve shown most of the season.
“Even at 2-0 up, Charlton still had opportunities to score a goal, which is disappointing and frustrating for us because we should be managing the game better then. We lacked a spark. We were a bit sloppy and loose in possession at times. Simple passes were going astray at times, which is not like us.”
Bowyer’s decision to ring the changes attracted plenty of online criticism from disappointed Charlton fans, who stayed away in droves knowing a weakened team was always on the cards.
But the Addicks boss was unapologetic, claiming it was too risky to potentially lose even more senior players to injury.
He explained: “Taking into account we made nine changes to Tuesday’s side, I think the lads did ok. They handled it well.
“Krystian Bielek was supposed to start but him and Karlan Grant both walked in yes-
terday from training with tight hamstrings. I can’t have them getting injured. Yes, I made a lot of changes but I would be stupid if I didn’t because if I’d have lost Krystian and Karlan then I’ve got to go to Portsmouth and Blackpool in the next two games without those two involved in my squad. I would have been stupid to risk them out there. Stupid.”
He added: “Look at the bigger picture. The most important thing is promotion. We aren’t going to win the FA Cup. Be realists. Are we going to win it? No, we are not.
“Would it be nice to have a run? Yes, it would but if it is going to sacrifice me maybe losing two, three or four important players, why am I going to do that?”
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Phillips 6, Dijksteel 6, Marshall 6, Reeves 6 (Morgan 68, 6), Sarr 7, Ajose 6, Clsrke 6, Lapslie 6, Stevenson 7, Hackett-Fairchild 6, Maloney 6 (Sarpeng-Wiredu 79, 6). Subs not used: Steer, Kennedy, Blimberg.
DONCASTER ROVERS: Lawlor 7, Mason 7, Anderson 7, Whiteman 7, Andrew 7, Kane 7, Butler 8, Rowe 6 (Crawford 62, 6), Marquis 7 (Taylor 79, 6), Blair 7, May 6 (Wilks 62, 6). Subs not used: Marosi, Beeston, Amos, Cummings.