Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 27th July 2019
This was an entertaining and enjoyable enough game and events on the pitch were certainly thought-provoking for all concerned ahead of the Football League season beginning next weekend.
The afternoon, thankfully, was without much of the predicted ‘judas’ nonsense involving Grant McCann, off the pitch, following his summer switch of allegiance to the visitors.
Yes, the Northern Irishman was booed at times and, yes, there was also the occasional muttering of inane drivel and nonsense from the odd idiot who sees Doncaster Rovers as the be all and end all in life.
But apart from the halfwits, most folk seem to have grasped McCann’s reasons for leaving.
Whilst they may not agree, it’s something which is already in the history books - and the appointment of Darren Moore since proves the club have already moved on.
Again, just like after Wednesday’s defeat to Huddersfield, there was a mixed bag of both positives and negatives that the new Rovers boss will be left to ponder as he saw his side come from a goal down to lead, only to be denied victory courtesy of a late equaliser.
Alex Baptiste (none of this A.Trialist b*llocks) definitely helped the defence after a shaky start and made some timely interceptions - in no small part thanks to his brilliant positioning and ability to read the game.
Jamie Ward (again, no A.Trialist b*llocks) also looked lively and had a couple of good goalscoring opportunities which he was unable to take. Others - notably Ben Whiteman and Madger Gomes - made a key contribution and James Coppinger’s low drive early in the second half means the veteran has now bagged in another campaign at the Keepmoat Stadium (if you choose to count pre-season games, of course).
On the flip side, it certainly won’t have gone unnoticed to Moore just how much his defence was cut apart in the early exchanges by Hull’s cute, incisive and sharp passing in and around the area - the best example of which led to the opening goal; or how full-back Brad Halliday left himself exposed on more than one occasion by pushing up too much.
There’ll also be concerns over Joe Wright who went off injured and the most pessimistic of folk will no doubt point fingers at the marking for Hull’s late leveller.
Nobody is stupid though - not Moore, not his assistant, not his players, nor the fans!
The results from these games, ultimately, are meaningless as they’re just glorified training match situations in a stadium environment.
There’s plenty to learn and mistakes will be made (it happens - that’s life) but I’ve got no doubt whatsoever that by 3pm next Saturday, when the stakes rise massively and the season properly begins against Gillingham, focus, preparation and commitment will be at 100% from everyone.
A special mention must go today to youth-teamers Max Jemson and Ethan Bojang who, collectively, spent about a minute trying to retrieve a ball which went under netting in the South Stand - only for the resulting ‘attempted’ throw to the ‘keeper to hit the advertising boards!
Great effort, lads!
You’ll undoubtedly see my best efforts at squandering seconds at one of your games later in the season, probably late in a game which you’re winning and when the opposition are screaming for it back with a bit of urgency.
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