Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Steve Evans this morning has turned his attentions to next Saturday's showdown with League Two tab;e-toppers Gillingham, but started his round-up by answering questions in relation to yesterday's FA Cup second round clash with Nott's County.Having now slept and analysed yesterday's match with Notts County, what are your thoughts on the performance and the result?
First let me say, as I did in my post match press yesterday, what a fantastic cup tie to be involved in, two good teams and befitting of the New York Stadium.
County had the first 20 minutes and we were perhaps fortunate to only be a goal down at one stage, but from around the 30 minute mark there can be no doubt we should have won the match.
Our work ethic was great; we passed the ball with some real quality and on another day we would have scored another two or three goals but sadly it was not to be. County are a quality team, they have very good players who were very organised and focused so our task was always going to be a tough one.
During the week I asked for the Millers supporters to turn up and back the team, they certainly did that and I thank every one of them, the atmosphere was superb. County supporters travelled here in good numbers and they were a real credit to their club.
This second round FA Cup tie is still very much alive and I certainly look forward to contesting the replay. Both teams may have a couple of player changes in the starting line-ups from yesterday but that apart it will be two good teams going into battle again.
I thought we had a number of excellent individual performances in the team yesterday but for me Alex Revell was just outstanding. The big man has been excellent of late and he deserves enormous credit but I do believe there is even more to come from him.
Can you update us on the current injury situation with perhaps likely timescales for each player to be back available for selection?
First I would say the good news is that none of the lads who played yesterday have reported any fresh injuries, although Mark Bradley did finish the match with a tight groin but we hope that is something very minor.
As for the others I believe, Shearer (two weeks), Tonge (three/four weeks), Morgan (four/five weeks), Noble (two weeks), Ainsworth (eight weeks), Agard (fit) and Arnason (one/two weeks).
I would like to give great credit to our Head of Medical, Denis Circuit, who is working so hard to get these lads back, slowly but surely we are getting there.
We have a reserve match away at Tranmere on Tuesday, which players are likely to be involved in that match?
Hopefully the match is on as we have a number of the lads who are now in need of some match time. Having looked at the key performance indicators this morning I would think that it is likely we will have the likes of Hunt, O' Connell, Ridehalgh, Odejayi, Agard, Walker, Denton, Evans and perhaps Arnason for a part of the match. These matches have a real purpose and that is match time and sharpness, we all want to win but the result is second versus individual performance.
You have stated your sole focus is now Gillingham but who would you like to be paired with in the FA Cup third round draw later today?
We are in the draw but obviously we have a replay away at County so it is not right that we give that too much attention, but anyone at home would be a great incentive. The focus on the match will be much greater if the draw pairs the winners with a big Premiership club but we will all know soon enough.
The league leaders Gillingham come to the New York Stadium next Saturday, what can we expect?
It will certainly be a real tough afternoon, Gillingham are a quality team with some top class players.
Martin Allen has done a terrific job there, he has them organised, efficient and playing some super football so what comes with that is quality opponents.
Our supporters will know the importance of this match and turn out in big numbers, it has to be said again they are just incredible. Rotherham United is one, from the Chairman, the players, the staff, the supporters, we are all in this together, TEAM Millers!
There is a lot of big important matches in League Two next Saturday and it would be fair to say it is a very big weekend of football, but it is these big matches we want to be involved in.