McCann hails returning skipper Rowe

Posted Sunday, November 18, 2018 by PA

Manager Grant McCann expected captain Tommy Rowe’s return to give Doncaster a lift – but did not bank on him scoring the winning goal against AFC Wimbledon.

Rowe made his comeback after 10 weeks out and came off the bench to net an 87th minute winner as Doncaster’s six-game winless run came to an end with a 2-1 victory over the managerless Dons.

McCann said: “I did say that having the skipper back would give people a bounce. I thought he was brilliant when he came on, giving us that balance in midfield.

“Sometimes in that position a ball would go in to Ali Crawford or Herbie Kane and they’d come back on their right foot but Rowey has taken it on his left and what a finish.”

Crawford cancelled out Wimbledon’s opener through Mitchell Pinnock but it appeared Doncaster would be frustrated despite dominating the second half.

McCann believes the late heroics from Rovers could push them back towards their promising early-season form.

He added: “Hopefully this is a turning point in our season really. I’ve spoken about it that we want to take advantage of the four league games out of six at home and we’ve started well.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, especially when we saw that Wimbledon had brought a lot of experience back.

“But we stuck at our task and it was all about getting three points. It’s never easy playing a team that doesn’t have a manager. Wimbledon had a bounce, they were strong.”

AFC Wimbledon’s interim boss Simon Bassey said it is imperative the club secures a new manager quickly but that it was more important the right man is appointed.

Bassey, who reiterated his lack of interest in taking the job full time, said: “From everyone point of view, the sooner that is sorted the better.

“The club will make their decision. I’m sure they won’t rush into one and risk getting it wrong. I’m sure they’ll go through it thoroughly.

“It won’t be me, certainly. I’ve been asked to do the job by the board and I’ll do it for as long as they need me to do it to the best of my abilities.”

Bassey was frustrated with Wimbledon’s defending for the two goals they conceded, particularly after a fine rearguard effort for much of the game.

He added: “I’m disappointed with the defeat. I thought we started the first half well, scored a good goal and I thought we could score again.

“But it is two poor goals to concede from our point of view. They were two good strikes but we never got to the ball quick enough and that is something we’ve worked on this week.

“Our game management has to be better moving forward.”