Source: Team_Talk
McDonald pleased by Roberts goal
eil McDonald was disappointed to see Blackburn striker Jason Roberts celebrate by himself at Newcastle, but delighted just to see him score.[LNB] Roberts came off the bench to net the winning goal for the second consecutive game in Rovers' 2-1 victory at Newcastle, although he appeared reluctant to receive congratulations from the rest of the team as he pointed to the name on the back of his shirt.[LNB]The 32-year-old also scored his side's second goal in their 2-1 win over Wigan on Saturday having been introduced as a substitute, but a 45-minute cameo in the match before that against Chelsea was Roberts' only other appearance this season and his reaction could be viewed as a message to manager Sam Allardyce.[LNB]McDonald said he had not spoken to Roberts about the celebration, but suggested the player should just continue hitting the back of the net to make a case for first-team selection.[LNB]"It's slightly disappointing when you score a goal and you don't celebrate with your team-mates, but he's pleased to be scoring goals and he's trying to prove a point," McDonald said.[LNB]"Keeping on scoring goals is the perfect way to do that.[LNB]"He has come on and over the last three games he has had three really good chances.[LNB]"He's taken two of them and that's the response the manager wants - if you are not in the team, you have to come and show him that you need to be in there.[LNB]"He's done that and the manager probably has another problem now."[LNB]There was controversy in the game at St James' Park following an incident where Joey Barton struck Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen.[LNB]As referee Michael Jones did not punish Barton, the Newcastle player has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after he lashed out with a blow that caused Pedersen to fall to the ground.[LNB]Like Allardyce, McDonald is content to let the FA deal with the matter, although he did condemn what he felt was an unprovoked attack.[LNB]"It's obviously foolish and it's the wrong thing to do, but no doubt the powers that be will sort that out," McDonald said.[LNB]"The pictures are there, it wasn't provoked and I'm sure they will make the right decision about what to do."[LNB]When it was put to him that the contact Barton made with Pedersen was a "full-blooded punch", McDonald said: "Yes it was, and it was unprovoked as well, which probably makes it worse."[LNB]Another major talking point from the action was the team Ian Holloway fielded for Blackpool's 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa.[LNB]The Premier League have confirmed they are investigating Holloway's decision to make 10 changes - and put out what could be perceived as a weakened side - for the match, but McDonald believes what the Seasiders boss did was within his rights.[LNB]"A lot of the squad work very hard to try and get into the team and when they are given the chance they have to try and take it," McDonald said.[LNB]"Blackpool almost did that last night and it is totally for Ian Holloway to pick whatever team he wants.[LNB]"He works with the players day in, day out, he knows what they can and can't do and he almost got the result in the end.[LNB]"The squad of 25 means that if a player is in it, and is fit and available, he is good enough to pay in the first team. That is what happened last night."
