Grant McCann has said his players are frustrated as Doncaster Rovers were condemned to the foot of the League One table after six matches.
A loss against AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane, combined with a vital point picked up by Wigan Athletic against Sheffield Wednesday, means that the Vikings are stuck at the bottom of the table ahead of a vital shot at reversing their fortunes against fellow strugglers Peterborough United next weekend.
McCann Hopeful Tide Will Turn
The result in South-West London, decided by a first-half Myles Hyppolite strike, means that Rovers are one of two sides in League One, alongside MK Dons, yet to win a game this season.
However, head coach Grant McCann is confident that he has the personnel to mount a return to form over the coming weeks.
Speaking to the Doncaster Free Press following their third defeat on the bounce, the Northern Irish boss addressed the loss, combined with a potential goal from Owen Bailey which was ruled out:
“It was a good performance but nobody wants to hear that. People want to see whether we’ve won, drawn or if we’ve lost. When we’ve made the opportunities we’ve created here today, we should at least have two, maybe three goals. We don’t, it just feels like at this moment in time we’re not taking the chances in the moments when were on top.
“We’ve had numerous opportunities to score, but at this moment in time it’s coming off our heel. I feel like I’ve got the best number nine in the league in Alfie May. Isaac Hutchinson also scored 20 goals last year. Owen Bailey got 16 last season. At this moment in time, everything just seems to be rushed.
“Maybe trying too hard sometimes and it becomes rushed. But from a performance point of view, to come to Wimbledon and control the game is pleasing. But, like I say, we’re having a little bit of a hard time.
“We’ve watched it back, he’s not offside. We don’t seem to be getting an sort of rub of the green, it’s just not going our way.
“I’ve been in football long enough to know that it changes. Hopefully quicker rather than later. But at this moment in time, we’re probably creating our own problems by not taking chances.”
Players Need To Make Step Up
While they were certainly not favourites in their two previous games against Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield Town, a match against AFC Wimbledon should have been the perfect reset point for Doncaster Rovers to get their season going.
However, it became an afternoon of squandered opportunities and overall frustration, finding themselves unable to beat Josef Bursik, who hand an exemplary game with nine saves made across the match.
There are quality players in their ranks, but for Doncaster Rovers to get themselves on the right track, those players need to start delivering consistently, and with a match against Peterborough on the horizon, there is no better opportunity for them to do so.
With plenty of good sides competing in this division, generating momentum is crucial to try and navigate those fixtures, and if they fail to pick up a result against Posh, then their upcoming games against Oxford United and Luton Town may see them stretch out this winless streak further.
