Grant McCann: Doncaster’s performance was not acceptable

Posted Sunday, March 24, 2019 by PA

Doncaster boss Grant McCann warned his players they will not be at the club next season if they continue producing performances like the one that saw them hammered 4-0 by leaders Luton.

The toothless visitors could have been handed an even bigger drubbing, with Hatters utterly dominant for large periods.

McCann said: “We were miles away from minute one. Luton are a top team but we made it easy for them really.

“We were absolutely nowhere near them. That performance was not acceptable and I’ve said that to the group.

“I’m not here to finish 15th or 16th in the league. If anyone’s thinking like that they won’t be here next season.

“I’m here to finish in the top six. That’s my firm focus. I was disappointed with the lack of energy, lack of appetite and lack of aggression in my team.

“We couldn’t cope with Pelly Ruddock running the game and we got disjointed.

“When we come to a place like this we need to move the ball quickly and that’s probably the biggest disappointment.”

Luton chief Mick Harford, who saw his side make it 26 Football League games unbeaten, said: “I thought it was an all-round performance, we were excellent.

“We had a good shape defensively. Early on they had a couple of chances but we were exceptional and some of the defending, some of the shape of the back four, the team, was excellent.

“Going forward we were a threat, we were a threat all afternoon in terms of different kinds of chances.

“We put the ball in the box, we looked dangerous from set plays, we looked dangerous on the counter-attack, so overall it’s a real, real pleasing performance.

“I’ve got to be honest with you the fans shouldn’t be singing my name, they should be singing the players’ names.”

Ruddock side-footed in the opener from 20 yards and Danny Hylton doubled the lead from close range.

Kazenga LuaLua got a hugely deserved third and Luke Berry made it four in stoppage time.