Paul Warne post Newcastle United....
Rotherham United interim boss Paul Warne says the psychological blow they were dealt in conceding just prior to half time proved crucial in their 4-0 defeat at St. James’ Park.The Millers battled well in the opening half in Newcastle and almost broke the deadlock and came close to stunning the home faithful when Anthony Forde pounced on Karl Darlow’s error, before Jerry Yates was denied by a spectacular recovery save from the home keeper.
The hosts capitalised moments later with a clinical finish from Daryl Murphy which left the Millers trailing at the break and Warne ruing the missed chance.
“He [Forde] stayed on his feet trying to score and Yatesy did well and then the ‘keeper has pulled off a worldie,” he said after the game.
“It was a double whammy because they obviously went up the other end and scored and it was a massive swing in the game.
“It was a psychological hit for the lads and you could see that. They didn’t start the second half as well and they scored again and the game was away from us.
“Then he’s turned and put it in just before half time so my conversation was a lot different to what I wanted to have.”
The restart saw Newcastle take a firm grip on the game when goals from Ritchie (2) and Perez ensured them of the points but the Millers’ interim boss did praise his team’s valiant first half performance and admits the goal just before the break was costly in their efforts to take something from the second tier showdown.
“You could see them getting frustrated and I thought we limited them to very few chances in the first half,” Warne continued.
“We had the best chance of the game and we had attempts on goal and corners and I thought we were doing quite well. I’m not going to come here and play three up front, I’m not that naïve and I thought the way that we set up was working a treat.
“We were more than competitive in the first half and we went toe-to-toe with them. Unfortunately, which is unforgivable in my eyes, at the set piece we had more than enough time to get ourselves in a position. Shelvey was like a quarterback which we knew and he puts a good ball in behind and I think Fordey should have got in quicker."