Fleetwood boss rues gifted goals

Graham Alexander called for composure after his side gifted Doncaster Rovers a 2-0 victory.
Graham AlexanderGraham Alexander
Graham Alexander

A soft free-kick and a deflected header resulted in the opener at the Keepmoat, James Coppinger claiming what Alexander suspects was an own-goal.

Then Danny Andrew’s casual play resulted in a loss of possession and a sweeping move finished by Curtis Main before the half-hour mark.

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A Fleetwood side who had scored eight in their previous two games then lost their nerve in front of goal as they struggled to battle back.

Alexander said: “The first goal gave them something positive after a poor week for them.

“It’s put us on the back foot and then the second goal was a break from our attack.

“We probably over-committed too early after the first goal to get back in the game instead of steadying the ship and using the next 70 minutes to get us back into it.

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“The first is an own goal, it’s come off one of us, a deflected free-kick.

“They get a bit of fortune and then we’ve over stretched. But second half it’s all us and we should have scored.”

Antoni Sarcevic tested Thorsten Stuckmann from a set piece 25 yards out – the Doncaster keeper only making one other save, from Declan McManus in the fourth minute of added time.

Alexander admits his side lacked level heads in the box. He said: “I think we created opportunities but it wasn’t happening.

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“When the game’s 0-0 and everybody’s composed we take those chances.

“When you’re 2-0 down a little bit of frustration, desperation is in your mind. You probably snatch at chances that last week we didn’t. That’s the difference; that’s the fine line.”

Despite poor finishing, the Fleetwood boss refused to criticise his side for their attacking intent, even if it occasionally produces results like Saturday’s

“We have to learn from this – maybe learn that if we do concede not to over-commit straight away,” he said. “But that’s the team we want to be, the sort of players we have.

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“We have attack minded players and the odd time we’re going to get done.

“We came here to win, we didn’t want to sit back and get the point.

“But we’ve been done because of that intent in our play, in our thought process. That’s the way we want to play.

“I can’t fault the players for their attitude, their commitment.

“We had them pinned back for large spells but you have to get that goal.”