Doncaster manager Grant McCann hit out at a lack of fighting spirit within the dressing room as his side slumped to a 2-0 League Two defeat at nine-man AFC Wimbledon.
An Ali Al Hamadi double condemned the visitors to their ninth defeat of the season as he poked the ball home on the stroke of half-time before firing into the top corner in the 63rd minute.
Rovers came into the game in fine form, having won three of their last four in the league but McCann admitted their performance at Plough Lane was a far cry from their recent output – citing his players’ mentality as key to their downfall.
“At half-time, I just felt the changing room was really quiet,” he said.
“The only one that was speaking was Tom Anderson and that’s when I knew, ‘have they got a comeback in them here’?
“We have got good boys in there, good characters and we’re at risk of sounding overly aggressive here.
“When you’re losing away from home, you need a wee bit of knowhow about you – you need people to stand up and grab one or two if they’re not doing it.
“We didn’t see that today. It’s almost like it was accepted that we never had a shot today. I don’t even think we had a shot to test the keeper.
“For me, that’s not good enough at all. The team didn’t play to the level we can do today.”
Dons manager Johnnie Jackson was comparatively chuffed with his side’s display, putting an end to their five-game winless streak in the league.
With victory taking them within touching distance of the play-off places, Jackson has insisted that his side – while aiming high – would not get carried away.
“The target is to try and keep winning games and keep progressing as far as we can in every cup,” Jackson said. “We want to win every game.
“But it’s important that you don’t panic in the moments where it isn’t going so well.
“You’ve seen how tight the league is. If you lose a game, you drop a few places.
“We just need to keep trying to put in performances, get what we deserve from those and stay in and around it.”
Despite the convincing result, the Dons would end the game with nine men, after Hus Biler and Omar Bugiel were both handed second yellow cards towards the tailend of the contest.
With Wimbledon staring down the barrel of a hectic festive period, Jackson emphasised the need to utilise the entirety of his squad.
“We’re at a time, when you get into the winter months, when you need everyone,” Jackson added.
“It’s been a good week for us because everyone’s played a part – whatever role, whatever competition.
“They’re ready to step up and obviously it’s an opportunity now for two more lads because we’re going to have two suspended.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
