Doncaster manager Grant McCann praised the way his side stood up to the challenge after holding off a late fightback to edge a 3-2 League Two win away to Port Vale.
Luke Molyneux bagged his fourth and fifth goals of the season either side of providing an assist for Billy Sharp, while Ryan Croasdale and Ethan Chislett (penalty) replied for Vale, who are now winless in three league outings.
Victory for Rovers makes it three wins out of four and saw them move up to second place in the table ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs.
It comes on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Everton in the League Cup on Tuesday and McCann was delighted with how his team managed a busy week.
“We know Port Vale’s a massive pitch, we knew we had two away travels – one to Everton and one to Port Vale – so energy was really important for us and also trying to get the plan right,” he said.
“I said to the players ‘this is probably one of the toughest places to come in League Two’, and I’ve no doubt they’ll be in and around the top end of the league, Port Vale, with the financial backing they’ve had and the players coming in.
“You look at the midfield, they’re top League One players in my opinion.
“So it was a tough game that today and we stood up well and performed very good.”
Doncaster were unbeaten in their final 12 League Two matches last season, earning them a place in the play-off semi-finals where they lost to Crewe.
McCann is pleased they’ve carried that impressive form into the new campaign, with their only league defeat coming away at Newport – a game they led before eventually losing 3-1.
“We’ve started how we’ve finished,” he added. “We’ve tried to keep that momentum, which is pleasing.
“But look, we’re only four games in – we’ve won three of them.
“We’ll always be striving to try and be better, but for me it’s a decent enough start.”
Despite failing to win since the opening day of the campaign, Vale boss Darren Moore remains upbeat about the new squad he has built.
A total of 16 signings have been made since the Valiants suffered relegation from League One last season.
“I’m really, really pleased with the squad and the work that we’ve done,” Moore said.
“We’ve done incredible amounts of work over this nine-week period since we’ve been back in pre-season.
“I’m really, really pleased that the areas of the pitch where I wanted strength and the areas of the pitch where I wanted competition, we’ve got that now.
“I wanted to present a team that is multi-functional and able to adapt to different shapes and formations, because that’s what this league presents.
“Players that are adaptable, that when you’re in games and you’re winning or losing, you’re able to change shape or formation and personnel.
“And we’ve got that in the squad and the group of players that we’ve got.”
[(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...
