Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Evans and his players were back at the Parkgate training ground this morning as they prepare for the visit of York City to the New York Stadium on Tuesday evening. The lads looked in good spirits as they reported for work and we took the time to catch up with Steve Evans for his weekly feature.
Let me start by asking what you did with your time yesterday?
Let me say now I have no problem filling any day of the week, at times it just feels like there is not enough of them.
After leaving the training ground around lunchtime I travelled down the M40 to watch the Oxford United v York City match. The match was mainly played out in midfield but was very keenly contested by two teams that I thought cancelled each other out in the end. Both teams have a number of talented players but the match was played on a dreadful pitch so good quality football was never going to happen.
Last night I took the opportunity to watch a DVD of York City's recent 0 - 0 draw with Gillingham, this I found very interesting and learnt a few things from so it was very worthwhile. Our preparations for every match we play need to be first class as we need to give ourselves every chance of getting every point we can.
Can you update us on the fitness of Daniel Nardiello, Daniel Kearns, Craig Morgan and Scott Shearer?
Yes of course, let me cover them in the order you asked. Nardiello will train this morning with the squad and we will look to ensure there is no negative reaction to that overnight.
Kearns is much improved but with something like a hamstring strain we will know everything tomorrow after he has had his MRI scan.
Morgan will train this morning and every day he is getting fitter and ultimately nearer first-team selection.
Shearer is now making rapid progress and I would expect him to be back in full training by the end of this week.
The staff in the medical department are working really hard to ensure we have every player we can available, indeed they are doing a great job.
With the Millers having no match yesterday, what did you think of the results in League Two?
I think many of the results went as I thought they might. Going to the likes of Accrington and Aldershot might have looked easy for Cheltenham and Fleetwood respectively but as any manager in League Two will tell you that was never going to be the case.
I expected Gillingham, Port Vale and Burton Albion to all win and they did. All three teams are very good and they have done their jobs very effectively.
We have dropped a couple of places in the League Two table yesterday, it could have been better for us but at the same time it could have been worse. Over the season it will be what about we do and not that of others; you have to earn what you get over the course of a season.
We have a tough run of matches coming up, York City (H), Southend United (A), Oxford United (A) and Dagenham (H), what are your thoughts?
I really cannot allow myself to look that far ahead other than have a full training and travel plan laid out in advance.
These matches must be approached one at a time, we need to deal with them, learn from them and not allow the players to be too high or low at any time.
Our supporters and those all around us will react to every result, that is the passion and desire for success coming out, but it is the job of all the football staff here to ensure we keep everything very balanced from now till the last ball of the season has been kicked.
The bombs and missiles into our camp will continue, that is what happens when many do not want you to succeed but we must remain resolute and deal with them quickly and effectively when they land.
Have you a message for the Millers supporters ahead of Tuesday night's match with York City?
We need our supporters to turn up in big numbers and create the same noise and atmosphere they did for the Chesterfield match, this for me will be tougher.
On the night patience will be needed and empathy towards the players’ task as York City will certainly make it very difficult for us. My only message is to ask them to be with us now, from the start to finish in every match and by doing that we give the lads every chance of delivering the results we need at really what is 'squeaky bum' time in the season.
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Steve Evans