Not good enough – Grant McCann frustrated by lack of killer instinct from Donny

Doncaster boss Grant McCann cut a frustrated figure after his side failed to beat Sky Bet League One neighbours Barnsley at home in a goalless stalemate.

Both teams lost their league openers last weekend so this point at least got them up and running, but McCann felt Rovers should have emerged victorious.

Influential captain Owen Bailey came closest to breaking the deadlock when he turned Alfie May’s low cross against the crossbar in the 55th minute.

McCann said: “It was frustrating and not good enough in the final third – there were too many stray passes when there was no pressure on us.

“We didn’t really find the killer instinct, although that being said we created the best four chances in the game.

“Alfie (May) had a chance and Bails’ (Bailey) header in the first half and then Bails had another two in the second half with a header and the one which hit the crossbar.

“But I don’t think we did enough really and I said to the players at half-time, ‘if we continue doing what we’re doing, we’re not going to score’.

“If anything, we got a little bit worse in the second half from an attacking perspective, apart from those two chances for Bails.

“We were sloppy in the final third and it wasn’t just the front three, it was us as a team.”

Barnsley counterpart Daniel Stendel took heart from his side’s strong finish to the game, which saw substitute Reyes Cleary bolster their attacking threat.

Stendel, whose side have failed to score in their opening two League One games, said: “I think we played a really good away game, especially in the second half.

“Doncaster had the two bigger chances in both halves, but I think we have more chances, especially in the last 20 minutes.

“And my feeling was we only wanted to win the game and we tried again, again, again.

“That did not happen, but I am really proud of the team today.

“We tried to drive forward to score a goal, win the game and get the ball over the line.

“We didn’t do it today and this is the reason that we only got one point – but everybody has to have the desire to score a goal.

“I think we have the quality to score goals but we need a bit of confidence.

“If there is one game where we win with a great goal then I think the rest would come.”

Stendel is expecting a number of incomings and outgoings before the transfer window closes.

Asked if any new arrivals were close, the Oakwell boss added: “I hope so.

“I think everybody can see that we need some more options and some positions we have not really occupied at the moment.

“But then it’s also the situation, we have some players that want to leave or have to leave.”