Paul Raynor talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United concluded their pre-season tour of Scotland with a convincing 4-1 victory over Ayr United, much to the delight of assistant manager Paul Raynor.
After a draw at Greenock Morton and a victory over Livingston, the Millers displayed their most convincing performance yet at Somerset Park after a brace by Alex Revell, and further strikes from Mitch Rose and Ben Pringle.
Raynor was pleased with the Millers performance, especially second half where the management team once again made 11 half-time changes.
“It was another good workout, these are what these games are all about,” Raynor told www.themillers.co.uk
“I thought that the first half was a little bit slow and laboured. I didn’t feel we moved the ball around quick enough in the first period, but we had a lot more penetration in the second half and I think that our superiority showed, and we were much more positive with our passing.”
Raynor was complimentary about Revell’s display but also praised the service from Michael O’Connor and Ben Pringle which helped him bag a brace.
“Alex is a great header of the ball and we know if we can get good quality into him in the right areas then he will score more goals like that,” added Raynor.
“There was some good service into him in the second half and he did terrifically well with the headers.”
Once again the Millers came through the game with no injury concerns, with Raynor very satisfied with their week north of the border.
“It has been a tough week, the lads have worked very hard, three games in seven days is tough which is why we have tried to limit everyone to 45 minutes a game.
“The fitness levels are really good and the pleasing thing is that bar one or two little knocks we have come through this unscathed. The lads have done well, it has been a good week of training, we have had some tough competitive games and an enjoyable week," he concluded.