Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
The players and staff reported for training this morning as the manager set about reviewing yesterday and starting the week of preparations ahead of Torquay United coming to the New York Stadium on Saturday.
You are very disappointed with yesterday's performance and result at Port Vale, have you had the chance to review the DVD of the match?
The performance in the first 30 minutes was totally unacceptable. Our defending was shambolic and our willingness to match the effort of the Port Vale team was shocking.
As the manager then I will take full responsibility for such a performance and set about putting it right. The match was over at half-time and the only slight comfort we can take is that we dominated the second period but again poor defensive errors made it impossible for us to salvage anything.
We have a good squad of players here but a few of them now need to step up their performances or move on.
I did not get much sleep and I don't think the players will have done either. We need to look clearly at the mistakes, ensure we eradicate them in the future and learn very quickly. This is a tough league and the results showed that again yesterday, it is time to work hard now rather than feel sorry for ourselves, that is what weak teams do, the strong teams get in the trenches and fight.
Kari Arnason was missing through international duty, do you think the team missed him?
Yes absolutely. Sometimes you do not miss what you have until it is not there and it then becomes glaring. Kari is a full International player because he is a class act and he offers us so much.
We also missed Mark Bradley through injury, so that is 50% of our back four who played against Bradford City.
The players are in for training this morning, what will this involve?
There is a good squad of players here and excellent staff so we need to discuss and understand why yesterday happened.
I was not happy with training last week and I told the lads that on Friday. The pace was not sharp enough and we seemed lethargic as individuals, that was a worrying sign.
Port Vale has gone now and it is about getting ready for Torquay United on Saturday. We know the importance of the next three matches as good results in them will see us comfortably in the top three of the league, a place where we need to be.
The loan transfer window is now open again, do you expect to be active in relation to new players?
I am hopeful that we might get a couple of new player additions, and we need to look at getting a couple out who are either not going to play much part or need a run of matches at first team level.
Paul Douglas, the Chairman and myself have worked tirelessly on this for a few weeks now so hopefully we can get something done but it is not easy believe me.
I really do believe in the players we have here and a one off like yesterday will not change that. Last season at this time I got hammered 6-0 at Morecambe but that woke us all up to the challenge we faced.
We know you felt for the supporters yesterday, do you have a message for them?
Yes I do. Let me apologise to them for a performance in the first 30 minutes that is not befitting of wearing the Rotherham United shirt. I am the manager, and like I said I take the responsibility for what happens on the pitch.
Stay with these players, they will deliver for you over the course of the season. These lads need you now to be with and behind them, in the trenches together.
When we cut we all bleed together and when it's good we celebrate together. Yesterday was a bad day and we will have them but we must bounce back quickly. We need a good weeks training, that is where the real work is done so we need to ensure our preparation is bang on. Our supporters are fantastic, we need them at times like this and take it from me the lads are hurting after yesterday.