Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Manager Steve Evans was back at the Millers training ground this morning preparing for Tuesday night at Notts County in the FA Cup but he took time to answer a number of questions.
Having had time to watch a DVD and reflect what are your thoughts on yesterday's match with Gillingham?
Yesterday post match I thought we were unlucky not to have won the match comfortably and having watched the match DVD it is even more remarkable.
Our play for long periods in the match was superb and we played some outstanding football that on most other days would have seen us win comfortably.
At one stage in the second half our total domination saw us with over 84% possession, we had 15 corners and laid siege to their goal but it just did not happen for us but we must bounce back again as we have done many times already this season.
I really do struggle to accept why Deon Burton remains on the field of play when you watch what he did to Ian Sharps, it is nothing short of a shocking late challenge. The DVD shows clearly the challenge and the intent.
I will not be drawn into what I think of the match referee's performance, he is normally a good official but some incidents need to be marked accordingly.
Can you take any comfort from what was an excellent performance?
Yes of course we can. Before the match I said this was the benchmark for us as a team and the result apart the lads showed how they can play.
No one will dispute we played some great passing football and we in turn totally dominated but credit to Gillingham who defended magnificently. I know now we will play a lot worse and win but now we need to move on and concentrate on Notts County on Tuesday.
I asked our supporters to turn up yesterday and be vocal, the atmosphere was simply fantastic. Our performance was excellent and the result is hard to take but as I have said this team will bounce back.
Who if any players stood out for you yesterday?
I will not single out anyone, our team was outstanding against the league leaders.
Kari Arnason came straight back in after injury and he was excellent given the time he was out but the big fella is just top class.
The focus has now moved on to Notts County on Tuesday, what can we expect?
We can certainly expect to face a very decent County team, we have already seen that plus of course they have home advantage but I do believe the cup tie is still very much alive.
We will most likely make a couple of changes that will allow us to change our system slightly to cope with what our opponents will do. County are full of talented lads and will be big favourites to win but we will get organised and you never know we might even get the odd 50/50 decision in our favour.
We know you only believe in focusing on one game at a time but we now face two real tough away trips in succession in the league?
My only focus is County on Tuesday and only when that is done will I think about AFC Wimbledon. Our season is very much alive and when I watched us play yesterday I saw a team that is more than capable of winning promotion but for now it is all about the FA Cup.
Finally did we pick up any injuries yesterday?
Well Ian Sharps’ nose looks as if he has been hit by a bus and I feel for the lad, he is a real honest guy and to see what he had done to him is sad but to watch it go unpunished is just shocking.
It looks like all the lads have come through the match unscathed and that is good news this morning. We are all hurting today but it is my job to lift them for Tuesday night and that will be done. I believe in these lads I really do, let us now get on the training ground and get ready for another tough encounter.