Doncaster 2-0 Crewe

Crewe put in a disappointing display as they crashed to their first defeat on the road this season. The defeat was reminiscent of the dark days of the past, a total one sided game and very little for the travelling supporters to cheer.

They only change from the 2-0 victory against Huddersfield was Chris McCready in for Danny O`Donnell who was injured. From the first whistle to the last the hosts were the dominant force as we failed to conjure up any chance of note.

As in previous games we set our stall out to keep a clean sheet and after 31 minutes Doncaster made the break through. Baudet and McCready failed to react to a long punt by Ritchie Wellens and Paul Heffernan latched on to the lose ball and slotted passed the advancing Ben Williams.

The goal seemed to settle Doncaster as they marched in to their stride and began to outplay an out of sorts Crewe side. The half time break couldn`t come quick enough as we faced wave after wave of Doncaster pressure.

Half time: Doncaster 1-0 Crewe

The game was effectively killed as contest moments after the restart. Full back Danny Woodards turned Lewis Guy`s cross in to the net to gift Doncaster all 3pts. From now on it was all about pride and grabbing a consolation goal.

Ben Rix and Byron Moore were introduced as 2nd half substitutions in place of Neil Cox and Eugen Bopp. Moore was lively throughout and his pace caused the Donny back line some problems but Crewe failed to create any chances of note.

The game meander to its conclusion as the away following started to drift away following yet another poor performance. Back to the drawing board for the Crewe management team, this defeat is a wake up call.

We went with a plan to keep a clean sheet, once we conceded we had no plan B which is disappointing. Long balls to Barnard and Lowe do not work and we struggled to compete in midfield.

The team need an injection of pace, perhaps Moore is the answer? For me we should move for a loan player on the left it we harbour any ambition of promotion this year. Also not moving for a target man is going to prove very costly.

All in all, an easy 3pts for Doncaster. We gave them the points on the plate.

Full time - Doncaster 2-0 Crewe

Danny Woodards

A poor performance and not many candidates for MOTM. Despite his own goal, Danny Woodards was in excellent form. Got up and down the pitch well and put in some well timed tackles.
Solid display, punched well and dealt with crosses pretty well. Came out for the Doncaster opener and Heffernan slotted it past him. Some of the blame for the opener could be aimed in his direction. Best of a bad bunch, put through his own net but otherwise decent. Up and down the right flank all afternoon and put in some crucial tackles. Solid but got caught backing off far too much. Like to see him hold his position more and make a few tackles instead of backing off. Partly at fault for the first goal, him and McCready caught ball watching as Heffernan nipped in behind them. Otherwise fairly solid. Left the game early through Injury. Same as Baudet, looked comfortable apart from the first goal where they both switched off. Perhaps a lack of pace costing the central pairing? Doesn't look at home on the left. Failed to get involved in the game from a wide position and was withdrawn at half time. Looks like back to the drawing board for the left hand spot. Steady, held his own but didn't really do anything for us in an attacking sense. Need more from the midfield as an attacking threat. As usual dependable. Withdrawn at halftime as we needed to chase the game. Another player who's positon in the side could come under scrutiny. Failed to make an impression. Maybe a game too many for him. Has been struggling with injury and perhaps in need of a rest. Passing poor and way below what we know he is capable of. Did nothing wrong but service in to his feet was awful and appeared to get more and more frustrated as the game wore on. In need of a target man to play along side him. Failed to create much and wasn't given the ball to feet. Front two lived on scraps. Got better late on as Moore carved a few chances for him. Brought on to add creativity. Yet again failed to deliver. Not the player to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. But to be fair the game was over shotly after his introduction. Looked good. Could be the answer down the left. Has the vital commodity, he has pace. Something that we don't have at the moment. For me must start Saturday against Millwall. Didn't let anyone down. Steady and dependable. Looks to be a good squad player. Praised for his tactics last week, this week very poor. No plan B. Needs to take a long hard look at the team and see where we go from here. Much needed win for the under pressure Doncaster manager. he couldn't of asked for more from his team. This win may kick start their season. I would go with:

Williams
Jones
Woodards
O'Donnell
Baudet
Moore
Bopp
Schumacher
Roberts
Barnard
Pope

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