John Buckley's Doncaster Rovers column: Keep your chins up lads

I really hope the lads do not feel too down after the defeat to Nottingham Forest.
John MarquisJohn Marquis
John Marquis

If the second half had gone the same way as the first half - when we couldn’t get the ball back - then I could understand them being disappointed.

But Darren Ferguson must take a lot of heart from the way his side competed after the break.

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We were every bit as good as them in the second half. I thought the second half performance was good. We were just as dangerous as them, if not more.

You could tell the manager had got into them at half time about certain things.

I thought they were much better higher up the pitch, in terms of knowing when to press Forest.

They also put some good balls into the box.

I wasn’t too disappointed at half time because Forest obviously have a lot of quality and that came to the fore.

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But the manager obviously had an impact at the break and it just shows you that we can compete against quality opposition.

I think he could feel really proud of that second half display - and it’s something to build on ahead of two important home games.

Of course, it was really frustrating to lose to another stoppage time goal but that is not something that concerns me too much.

I don’t think it’s down to a lack of concentration and, personally, I think you can over-analyse things like that.

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I was pleased with how they did in the second half and I thought there were some very promising individual performances too.

I like the look of Matty Blair. It’s great to see a wideman bursting forward and taking on his man.

John Marquis works hard and he was unlucky not to score. There was a brilliant save from their goalkeeper to keep him out just before the equaliser.

And Joe Wright looks the part at centre back. He could be a very good addition.

I honestly think we just need more rub of the green - and hopefully that will come on Saturday.