Despite the fine 3-0 win at Crewe last night, Paul Simpson admitted mistakes in his team selection.
He explained at his press conference: “I went with the same 18 as Monday because I felt they’d earned that right. I actually had it in my mind as to what the subs would be as well, if I’m being honest.
“I had this picture of Sonny Hilton coming on and causing problems down the right flank. I don’t know why I was thinking that, and it’s just one of those where whether it was Sonny or anybody else who came on, it was a mistake for me not have Joel Senior with us as an option.
“Jack Ellis has come off at half time with a sore hamstring, so I’ve made a mistake there. Hindsight is always a wonderful thing and, going into the game, I felt as though the lads from Monday’s game deserved to go again.”
Ellis wasn’t the only one to feel his hamstring, and Simpson also had words about the Crewe pitch.
“With Jack it’s too early to tell how bad it is. He came off feeling it and that was the right thing to do for him.
“I took Jack Stretton off as a precaution, also with a hamstring, and Taylor Charters is the same, he was feeling his. It’s rubbish.
“I’ve got to say that I’ve been to Crewe a few times and that’s the worst pitch they’ve had in my time. I’m quite sure that plays a part and the players have said that it was horrible to play on.
“It affected the way we went about it in that we had to turn it round and just flip it in behind then chase and work from there. It’s disappointing with the injuries, but we’ve just got to deal with it.”
Jon Mellish was taken off as a precaution and it’s likely he will have stitches in his shin after initially playing on with a bandage.
Overall Simpson said: “There’s a few cuts and bruises, which we expected with three games in six days, and the job now is to make sure we have 18 available for Doncaster on Sunday.”
