Rotherham United

Millers defender Richard Wood insists his side defended well despite falling to defeat at the hands of Premier League hopefuls Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

A resilient display from the Rotherham United rearguard saw them repel a Boro attack loaded with talent until after half time when Lee Tomlin broke the deadlock on Teesside.

Wood, who was recalled from a successful loan spell at Crawley last week, was thrust straight into the heart of the defence alongside Kirk Broadfoot on Saturday and was pleased with the Millers’ defensive showing:

“We looked sound defensively as a team but we didn’t have much of the ball,” he admitted.

“We were frustrating them. The only downside is that we weren’t keeping the ball well enough but against a team like Middlesbrough to do so well defensively I think is very good.

“We did well first half but obviously they’re a good team looking to get into the next league.”

Tomlin’s second half opener provided a hammer blow for the Millers who had marshalled the Boro attack bravely in the opening 45 minutes and Wood believes that the early goal was pivotal in determining the final score:

“We came out second half and we conceded fairly quickly which gave them a lift and then they get the second and from there it’s game over.

“I think if we’d have held and kept a clean sheet for going on 70 minutes then it would have been a tense finish for them.”

Having drawn the plaudits from the stands at the Checkatrade.com Stadium during his time with the Red Devils, the former Charlton defender found himself back in the team on his return and is keen to establish himself back at AESSEAL New York Stadium:

“I got the call Wednesday then trained well on Thursday and Friday and felt sharp and then I got the nod to play which I’m happy about.

“I’m feeling ready now. The gaffer’s given me a chance and hopefully I’ve taken that and there are four massive games to go and I want to be involved in that and help us to stay in this league."