DRFC Saunders critical of 'terrible' defending

Doncaster Rovers boss Dean Saunders was critical of his sides defending after the 3-0 home defeat to Leeds United.

Saunders called the defending 'terrible` and a 'joke` as Leeds eased to the win.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Saunders said, 'We conceded three terrible goals. There was nothing in the game in the first 20 minutes.
'I thought we looked in control of the game at the start, the first 10, 15 minutes.
'To concede the goal that we did, George (Friend) has given a foul away in the corner where (McCormack) is facing the touchline going nowhere then the (Pugh) has tapped it in five-yards out on his own. That won't be happening again.
'The second goal was a bit of build-up play. McCormack's sharp brain has got in behind out back four and he's finished it well with an overhead kick.
'Then the third goal is a joke. Corner and a free header five yards out. So if you concede goals that like you've got no chance. We've got tighten that up.

Danny Pugh put Leeds ahead when Rovers defenders Richard Naylor and James O`Connor ran into each other and Pugh had time to fire past Chris Kirkland in the Rovers goal.

Ross McCormack doubled the lead when he found space inside the area before acrobatically scoring with an overhead kick.

Richard Naylor was then out muscled by young Leeds defender Tom Lees at a corner for the third goal.

A dejected Saunders speaking to Sky Sports was also disappointed with the teams reaction after going a goal down and he felt far too many players went missing. 'Passing wise? We're supposed to be a passing team. We just kept giving the ball away. Too many players didn't turn up.
'It's never nice to get beaten. We've got to roll our sleeves up now and go to Blackpool on Tuesday and get a result. Sometimes you learn more when you lose than when you win,' he continued.

Rovers never really got going and in a very scrappy first half Jon Parkin had Rovers best chance but he headed wide from close range.

The second half was very much the same for Rovers with James Hayter having the home sides best chance when Andy Lonergan in the Leeds goal spilled the ball.

Saunders will be hoping for a reaction from his side when they face a tough trip to Blackpool on Tuesday night.




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