Tawdry tactics and bad behaviour

Doncaster manager Grant McCann was excited by his side's win over Posh.

I’m shocked that I was shocked by the tawdry tactics that marred what should have been a dramatic and exciting League One game between Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United last weekend.

Actually there was plenty of drama. It was just the wrong sort, the kind that forces you to scream at implausible plot lines in television soap operas.

At least Emmerdale and Coronation Street are fictional efforts from the pens of people with vivid imaginations.

Football is supposed to be real, but half of what you see these days is hard to believe.

Posh goalkeeper Conor O'Malley was at the centre of a controversial incident at Doncaster.

It’s sport without sportsmanship now. It’s all cheating, diving, time-wasting, orchestrated attempts to influence weak officials, negativity, feigning injury, embarrassing theatrics and a complete lack of respect for fellow professionals, match officials and fans who pay a fortune to follow their favourite team.

Gamesmanship is now sadly a big part of the game, from walking slowly off the pitch when substituted to 10 players running to the corner of the pitch, i.e as far away from the centre circle as possible, to celebrate every single goal.

I came home in a foul mood last Saturday and not because of the result. I’ve watched far worse Posh teams than the current one lose to far worse teams than Doncaster.