Alan Stubbs post Brentford...
Alan Stubbs hailed the character his side showed as he recorded his first win in charge of Rotherham United with a 1-0 triumph over Brentford at AESSEAL New York Stadium.The Millers notched their first three points of the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship season thanks to Danny Ward’s composed first half strike which proved enough to see off the Bees on Saturday.
Stubbs was quick to pay tribute to his side’s resolute display, which also saw them keep their first clean sheet of the new season, and was delighted with how they dug into their reserves to see out the game.
"I thought that the players showed a lot of character today,” he beamed in the wake of the game.
“They had to dig in at times because we were playing against a very good Brentford team who moved the ball really well. We knew that there would be times in the game where we would have to be patient and diligent and defend. We managed to get that win and get our season off on and running.”
Stubbs continued to add that his delight at nullifying the opposition and suggested that the scoreline didn’t flatter the Millers who forged a number of opportunities on David Bentley’s goal, the most notable of which fell to debutant Izzy Brown who was thwarted by an astute stop by the Bees’ number one.
"To be fair to their 'keeper he made a great save off Izzy, but there was a great bit of play for our goal; and as soon as Wardy picked up the ball I felt confident that he was going to score.
“We have had a couple of other opportunities to score, but whenever you keep clean sheets you've always got a great opportunity to win the game. We have had a really tough start against teams that are right up there but today is pleasing to get our first home win.
After conceding three goals in each game in previous meetings with Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion, Stubbs explained that he felt that keeping the opposition’s scoreline at nil was almost as pleasing as taking the three points.
"There were a lot of positives today in our game. I thought that we looked dangerous on the counter against a good side. The most important thing was the three points but very close to that was the clean sheet,” he explained.
"I think that first half we looked dangerous going forward, we were a threat on the break, but I suppose that they looked a threat on the break as well. It was two teams that were looking to counter. In the second half, it is a natural reaction, when you have got hold of something you drop a little deeper. Brentford had more of the ball but I thought that we defended well at times and threw our body on the line, which you have to do. It is good result for us at home.”
Stubbs continued by heaping praise on Danny Ward who picked also picked up the Sponsors Man of the Match on Saturday, as well as crediting the debut of Tom Adeyemi after he put pen-to-paper on a loan deal earlier in the week.
"He has played that role since the beginning of the season. He does a lot of unselfish work but he certainly got quality and it is up to us to make sure we provide him with the opportunities to express that. Today, as soon as he picked up the ball I felt very confident that there was only going to be one outcome.
"I thought he [Adeyemi] was doing well but he has just got a little bit of a thigh injury. We are hoping that it is not going to be too serious. I think he has come off before it turned into a pull. It may be a slight strain.”
There was bad news amidst a sea of positives at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday as the Millers boss learnt of the severity of Kirk Broadfoot’s injury, who he says will now endure a lengthy lay off.
"We have had a tough start in terms of injuries. We are not going to feel sorry for ourselves. Broady has had an operation today on his back so he is going to be out for 6-8 weeks. We are hoping that we get one or two back over the next couple of days which will help, but Broady's injury is a bit of a blow for us."