Patience pays dividends for Doncaster boss Grant McCann

Posted Wednesday, October 02, 2024 by PA

Grant McCann felt it was a case of patience paying dividends for his Doncaster side as they returned to winning ways against Barrow.

Harry Clifton’s deft 81st-minute volley saw Rovers end a run of three league matches without victory as they deservedly took the points.

Rovers enjoyed the lion’s share of attacking play but struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the game until Clifton turned in a fine cross from Jamie Sterry.

“We knew that Barrow are a strong team defensively and they don’t concede many goals,” McCann said. “They’re hard to play against – hence why you see their start to the campaign.

“But I’m really pleased. The boys showed a lot more bravery in the second half compared to the first.

“We were patient with our play and didn’t force things. We forced our passes in the first half and hit things long when we didn’t need to.

“It was about bravery in getting on the ball and making things happen.

“I thought we played well for spells of the game. It wasn’t a complete performance by any stretch of the imagination but we were strong defensively and we looked a threat.

“We got there in the end with a bit of quality from Jamie Sterry with the cross and a really good finish for Harry.”

Barrow head coach Stephen Clemence felt a tough week on the road had taken its toll on his side, who he admitted were second best.

The Cumbrian outfit travelled to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and then Gillingham in League Two before visiting the Eco-Power Stadium.

And with injuries mounting, Clemence said the demanding schedule had impacted the group.

“I’m disappointed because I feel that Doncaster deserved to win the game,” he said.

“We’ve come off the back of three tough away games at Chelsea, Gillingham and then Doncaster within the space of a week. I don’t want to make excuses but we’ve been hit hard by injuries.

“The disappointing thing was that they didn’t cut us apart in the second half but it was a cross and them having someone free in the middle to score. We have to be better than that.

“I think we’re asking a lot of some of the players in key areas. There’s players in there that I’m struggling to give a break to at the moment and they really need one.

“When you have a week like that it’s not easy. I’ve been there myself as a player with three away games on the spin. It’s tough.

“Normally there is a bit of rotation and we’ve not even been able to do that from the bench. It’s difficult.”