Manager Steve Evans speaks following the draw at Elland Road
MILLERS boss Steve Evans was quick to express his pride at his side’s performance as they ended their first Championship campaign for a decade with a creditable draw at Yorkshire neighbours Leeds United.The Millers went into the Elland Road clash with safety assured following an unbeaten run of three games and they were unlucky not to finish the season on a winning note as Danny Ward’s goalbound effort was inavertedly blocked by Matt Derbyshire en-route to goal- a fact not lost on Evans.
“We go away unlucky not to win, because we passed and moved it around. Just before the interval, Danny Wards effort was going in, but its hit Matt Derbyshire.” He said.
“You can’t ask any more of the players, when they know they’re safe. We asked them to have the same application they’ve had, all season working for us.
“I’ve often said, and I say it more privately than publically, that I’m immensely proud of them.”
The Millers were backed by a vociferous away following, of over two thousand in West Yorkshire and Evans was glowing in his praise for the Millers fans, who he claims have been their 12th man during their Championship campaign.
“On behalf of the dressing room, and our chairman, I would like to thank them for their support.” He added.
“You want to win football matches, and we’ve brought a fantastic Millers support here today. They never stopped singing from start to finish, and they’ve been around the country with us, on some darker days. But, they’ve stood by us.
However, the boss also made reference to the fact that the club will want to improve on this season.
“We’ve got to look at the season as a whole, but I think since Christmas we’ve been a real force, and we’ve never been outworked.
“I think that a lot of games we should have picked up points, and if we had we would be sat around mid-table.”
Evans alluded to the idea that next seasons plans are already well underway, with recruitment an absolute must this summer.
“It’s about quality this summer, not quantity, because we’re in a league full of it, and we’ll have the same effort, desire and hunger."