Manager Rob Mc Donald described the 2-1 loss to Monaghan United as "a good lesson" for his young side following the game today[Sunday].  It was the first time the Englishman took charge of a Rovers team in the Showgrounds and the first time he has tasted defeat as Rovers manager.
              " It was not a field you could play beautiful football on but that is no excuse and  I am not using that as an excuse at all. We had a situation in the previous games before that [where the team were struggling at some point] and we stepped up but this time we did not. You could tell by the body language, we had a couple of players doing things that I am not used seeing them do. It does not mean they are bad players all of a sudden , its a good lesson against a very compact Monaghan team. We had the 4-3-3 system and I was a little disappointed with Faz because he can give us a lot more . I do not want to put any extra pressure by any means. That was the reason  2nd half I thought seeing we couldn't play the football we can I forced it a little bit with Gino and Choice up front. We just could not get the second ball, the two players behind the striker there really has to be a lot more movement"

Mc Donald was then asked if he was worried by the below par display from his side with less than 3 weeks to go till the start of the season. He responded honestly
            "It does worry me. We have lost. But it is good to lose and I know that sounds crazy but it is better know in a friendly than in a competitive game. It really still does tell us we need certain new players and thats got to be a message . The one thing that does disappoint me was the body language and I have told the lads that."

In his side for the game were two trialists ,defender Greg Strong and striker Gino O'Boyle. The manager responded to questions on whether the two did enough to earn full time deals.
          "Greg could be a potential signing. With his experience and everything he could be someone to rely on. Even though I thought he got turned a little too easily for the 2nd goal..... you cannot judge someone one goal and his coaching and leadership was there. You could see with Gino the difference from Junior football. His best position was on the left and I did not want him on the left , I kept telling him to get to get in the middle beside Choice. I brought him in for a reason and he has got to realize that. There were moments and he nearly scored with a stabbed shot.Gino certainly has got something. It is difficult to tell on one game. It is something we have to have a good look at and the more he trains with us the more it should benefit him and we will see how he shapes up in the following games"

Mc Donald revealed Piotr Badjzak and Chris Turner will return to action this week and he is hopeful of having two friendlies in the next 7 days with Letterkenny possible opponents this Wednesday in Cappry. Rovers have now played 3 friendly game and he his closing thoughts on the first defeat were clear
    " My message is we are not bad footballers all of a sudden after 1 game. Its not the end of the world. We just need some new players to beef us up and give us some umph."