Doncaster Rovers: '˜Too many played for themselves' '“ McCann on Newcastle defeat

McCann was frustrated with a disjointed performance from his side as they failed to get off to a strong start in a competition in which he is hoping to do well this season.

The Rovers named a strong side for the game with only four changes to the side that drew with League One leaders Peterborough United at the weekend.

But he felt too many individual players were keen to impress, which harmed the team.

'Some of us played our own game tonight,' McCann said afterwards.

'I think personally some of the lads did that, probably with eagerness to show what they can do.

'It was a difficult evening for us but credit to Newcastle because they were very good.

'I thought some of the lads were eager to impress and probably took up positions they wouldn't normally do in a league game.

'It caught them out a little bit.

'In terms of our reactions, our pressing and our intensity that we've seen, it just wasn't there.

'Things that we've worked on, it didn't look like we'd worked on them and that is the most frustrating thing.

'It's not about switching things on and off.

'We're fortunate this is a league-based competition and we've got two games to put it right.'