Paul Warne post Brentford...
ROTHERHAM UNITED interim manager Paul Warne admitted his side’s last-gasp defeat at the hands of Brentford was a “bitter pill to swallow”.
The Millers came within a whisker of claiming their second away point of the season after sub Anthony Forde levelled matters late on for a second time with a long-range screamer after Tunisian international Aimen Belaid cancelled out Jota’s first-half strike.
Despite Jota’s notching a brace near the end to take the game away from the Millers and claim the matchball in the process, Warne was quick to express his pride at his side’s second-half display.
“I thought we played really well and I was really proud of the lads, and I told them that after the game,” Warne enthused.
“I don’t think at two-two, it flattered us. I thought we were really good, especially in the second half.”
Following Forde’s first league goal of the season for the second Millers equaliser, the game took a cruel twist for the visitors when Cardiff loanee Semi Ajayi was adjudged to have handled in the box, in the second minute of second-half stoppage time and Jota struck from the spot before rubbing salt in the wounds with a late fourth for the hosts, with virtually the last kick of the game.
Speaking afterwards, Warne admitted the game hinged on the spot kick with his side unfortunate not to have claimed a share of the spoils in West London.
“At 2-2 and to concede the goal in the 92th minute in the way we did, I thought it was a bit harsh on Semi, who I thought was brilliant again today,” Warne added.
“I think it was handball but it was ridiculously unlucky. He couldn’t get his arm out of his way. That was unfortunate and for the fourth goal, we were throwing bodies forward and it was the last kick of the game.
“The lads gave everything and I wouldn’t have anyone criticising my team. I think all the Rotherham fans, who came down today will be pleased with the effort they put in and they clapped them off, as they always do.
“I think away from home, it was a good performance but it would have been nice to come away with a win or at least a 2-2 draw. However, the lads did not crumble and they played their hearts out.”
The Millers were dealt a blow prior to kick-off when ‘keeper Richard O’Donnell, who was initially named on the team sheet, was forced to withdraw after suffering a suspected broken finger in the warm-up with Lewis Price promoted from the bench.
After praising Price’s performance in light of his 11th hour call up, Warne said the injury to O’Donnell summed up Rotherham’s luck at the moment.
“We had the disappointment of Richard O’Donnell going down in the warm-up and Pricey had to play, who has only trained two days in five weeks, so that’s pretty impressive and I thought he performed really well.
“Richard caught his finger on a shot and I don’t know if he’s broken it. I joked it’s like we’ve run over a cat, or something as we do not seem to be getting any luck at the moment."