Grant McCann impressed by professional Doncaster performance

Posted Wednesday, February 13, 2019 by PA

Doncaster manager Grant McCann praised his side’s professional performance as they sent out a warning to Crystal Palace ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round clash with a 3-0 win over Southend.

Goals from John Marquis, Mallik Wilks and Herbie Kane saw Rovers blitz the Shrimpers, which not only strengthened their play-off bid, but also gave them a massive boost ahead of their hugely-anticipated clash with the Eagles in front of the BBC cameras, at what will be a sold-out Keepmoat.

“It was a tricky game because the Palace match is on the horizon,” admitted McCann. “But the boys were fully focused. It was a game we wanted to win because it was one of our games in hand.

“I think the boys have earned a little breather tomorrow and then we’ll start working towards the weekend, which will be an unbelievable experience.

“We’ve sold out the Keepmoat and there will be around 14-15,000 people in here, which are the sorts of crowds we want to playing in front of every week and the only way to do it is to keep doing what we’re doing. We’re on the right track and we got the job done tonight.”

McCann was full of praise for leading scorer Marquis, who scored his 22nd goal of the season, heading home James Coppinger’s cross after 13 minutes.

“John was outstanding again tonight – as well scoring, he hit the bar, the post and had other opportunities,” added McCann. “He gets into some unbelievable positions. But I also thought our midfield three were superb and they set the tone for us.”

Southend keeper Nathan Bishop had produced some quality saves, but then the teenage keeper undid all his hard work 10 minutes into the second half when he let a Wilks effort squirm past him and into the net.

Marquis then turned supplier, breaking on to Ali Crawford’s terrific through ball and squaring for Kane to bundle the ball home to wrap up the victory.

Southend manager Chris Powell admitted the best team won and was relieved the scoreline wasn’t more one-sided as his side were completely outplayed.

“I am quietly pleased it was only three as Nathan Bishop made some good saves and they hit the woodwork a couple of times,” he said. “It was a difficult night, but it could have been an even uglier one. They are a good team and we have been beaten by the better team.

“At 1-0 down we are the chasing the game and we are not that sort of side. We need to be in the game and whenever we have been behind and chasing we have found it tough.

“We need to shoot more and deliver as the moment won’t come around that much and we have to make them count, or at least make the keeper work.”