Grant McCann switches focus to next season after Doncaster secure survival

Doncaster boss Grant McCann is already setting loftier ambitions for next season following confirmation of his side’s League One survival.

Rovers moved up to 13th with a 3-1 victory at relegated Northampton after Elliot Lee, Hakeeb Adelakun and George Broadbent all scored in the second half.

“I was pleased with the second half but not so much the first,” said McCann.

“We had control but we were a bit sloppy at the top end of the pitch so we tweaked things at half-time and I thought we were better in the second half.

“It’s difficult to play against a team that’s been relegated because you’re not sure what to expect and I thought Northampton did play with a bit of freedom.

“But I said to the players before the game, if we get one, I think we’ll get two or three quite quickly and that’s what happened.

“It was a professional performance and the response was really good in the second half because I wasn’t happy at half-time.

“Our form has been brilliant since the start of January – we are right in the top six over the last 21 games. I still have sleepless nights thinking where we could have been had we won two or three games during that bad spell.

“We could have been closer to the top six. It’s not to be but hopefully next season we can reset and go again.”

Cameron McGeehan scored a stoppage-time consolation for Northampton but they have now lost nine straight games in all competitions.

“It became horrible in the second half due to the goals,” said Cobblers interim boss Calderwood.

“We’ve contributed too much to the first one especially and they were then in the ascendency. It’s just a horrible situation for the boys to be in on the pitch.

“It all feels doom and gloom when you are in those moments because nothing seems to go right for you, but the players definitely have to show their personality better than that.

“The second half is really disappointing. The first half was a bit of a quagmire and we only showed little moments of quality.

“There was some crosses and entries but it’s nowhere near the level that we can produce and should produce.

“Giving away early goals at the start of first halves and second halves has been a constant theme and it’s happened again today. It’s a long throw and we have to deal with it better. That’s the real disappointing thing and once they score that, it lifts them and they’re in the ascendency.

“We’re striving to do something right but invariably it’ll go wrong for us.”