Match report

Doncaster Rovers 0 Swansea City 1

Lifted from Jan Molby's column in the Evening Post

What a great feeling it was to get that first away win of the season under our belts at Doncaster on Saturday. I really felt that the 1-0 scoreline didn't do us justice, though, especially as we were without regulars Steve Torpey, Shaun Chapple, Shaun Garnett and, of course, myself.

We had some decent chances and I felt that we should have come away with a far bigger margin of victory. What was pleasing though, was the way we defended. I think we only made two mistakes throughout the game and on both occasions Roger Freestone was equal to the task. Most managers will tell you that the best way to start is with a clean sheet. Then you've always got a chance of nicking it.

New boy Pat McGibbon will tell you that. You could see the relief on his face at the end of the game. He may be from a big club like Man Utd, but he gets nervous the same as players from lower divisions. It was his first league game and you could see how pleased he was to come off with a clean sheet. I was more than happy with his debut, especially as I had never really thought I would get him on loan from Old Trafford.

When I knew we were losing Shaun Garnett, I drew up a list of replacement central defenders with the help of Billy Ayre. Pat was top of that list and I was delighted and extremely grateful to Manchester United when they agreed to let him come to us for a month.

And he has obviously come with good habits - as Doncaster player manager Kerry Dixon will tell you. Kerry played him the biggest compliment he could have asked for on Saturday. Pat made sure he didn't have a kick during the first half and it wasn't surprising when Kerry switched sides from Pat in the second half.

But it would be wrong to single out anyone in particular for Saturday's victory because it was a good performance throughout the team. Now hopefully we can continue that improvement on Saturday when we take on Hull at home. It's going to be a tough game. After all, they are the only unbeaten team in the league.

But if we keep improving then there is nothing to say we can't pick up another three points and Hull's run at the same time. It certainly won't be through lack of effort.

David Penney had a smile as wide as the coach travelling back from Doncaster. And he had every reason to be cheerful. Not only was there a victory to celebrate, but he also scored the winning goal on a day he was handed the club captaincy. When we lost our skipper to Oldham, Billy and I took a long hard look at the situation. The only real experienced candidates who stood out were Roger Freestone, Keith Walker and David Penney.

Keith ruled himself out because of his current contract situation, while neither of us really liked the idea of a goalkeeper being captain. That ruled out Roger. But David fitted the bill. He's experienced and unless injury or suspension rules him out, he'll be a regular in the team.

He's very good in the dressing room and on the pitch. Hopefully the extra responsibility will spur him on even more.