Doncaster Rovers suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle, a result that leaves Grant McCann's side 20th in the League One table. The manager was scathing in his assessment, telling the Doncaster Free Press his team "didn't deserve anything" from the match.
Plymouth took control early, with Will Evans, Aribim Pepple, and Caleb Watts all finding the net. Doncaster's response came in the second half through an Alfie May penalty and a first club goal for Sean Grehan, who headed in from close range. The hosts had earlier squandered good chances, with Brandon Hanlan missing a golden opportunity from close range and then heading another over the bar minutes later.
McCann did not mince his words after the final whistle. "I thought they deserved it, they were better than us, from minute one to the 96th minute," he said. The manager elaborated that Plymouth had more energy, were more physical, worked harder, and looked after the ball better across the pitch. He admitted he had to raise his voice at half-time, something he dislikes doing, in an attempt to spark a reaction.
The defeat follows a 1-1 home draw with Notts County in midweek, a match for which McCann had selected an unchanged starting eleven. The team's current league standing reflects a difficult start: they sit 20th with just three points from four games, having yet to win this season. Their record shows zero wins, three draws, and one loss, with a goal difference of minus one after scoring four and conceding five.
A notable omission from the matchday squad was winger Hakeeb Adelakun. McCann explained the decision was purely down to squad rotation, citing the size of the group at his disposal. With a busy schedule, the manager indicated he would continue to manage minutes and selections across the squad. Fans can view the full roster and player availability on the club's squad page.
McCann identified a recurring theme of missed chances, which he said has plagued the team throughout the early part of the campaign. He stated the coaching staff would review the match footage to pinpoint specific areas for improvement. A clear plan will then be implemented on the training ground to work on those issues before the next fixture.
The loss leaves Rovers seven points adrift of early leaders Huddersfield Town. The immediate focus shifts to preparing for the next challenge, an away trip to face AFC Wimbledon on September 12th. Wimbledon currently sit 18th in the standings, making it a significant early-season encounter for both clubs.
The team must regroup quickly ahead of the journey to face AFC Wimbledon. McCann's task is to instil the energy and sharpness he felt was lacking against Plymouth. With the season still young, there is time to correct course, but the need for points is becoming more urgent. The match at Plough Lane represents a direct opportunity to climb above a rival and gain momentum.
