Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Ahead of a trip to watch Coventry City v Gillingham, we caught up with Steve Evans to get his thoughts on the latest news at Rotherham United.
Looking back at yesterday's fantastic late 3 - 2 victory over Oldham Athletic, what was your view on the game?
First let me say this was a match that we dominated for large periods so we should not have found ourselves looking for a late winner, however this group of players will always go to the end and give everything they have. Everyone at Rotherham United is pulling that rope in the same direction, there is incredible unity and I am proud of that, what I do know for a fact is that not every dressing room has it, we do!
It made no difference whether Oldham had 11 or 10 men, we dominated when they had both and played on the counter attack but I was impressed with them and the way they did it. There is no doubt they have a number of talented players and they, like my lads, gave everything they had. The match was a great spectacle to watch but no one could dispute we did not deserve to win after we laid siege to the visitors’ goal for the last 30 minutes.
Nards was out on his feet with 10 minutes to go, the kid has not had a lot of football but I kept him on the pitch believing he could get us a winner, he did not disappoint. I must admit I was particularly impressed with our attack when we deployed Tubbsy up alongside Revs and Nards, they caused havoc in the Oldham defence.
After the derby win over Sheffield United last week I was worried ahead of the match but I didn't need to be, the lads had a great appetite to play football. For me Lee Frecklington and Rob Milsom were outstanding, they bossed the game centrally with the highest of energy levels and a great mixed range of passing whilst Frecks’ header to equalise was a delight to watch after we worked with him on this for most of the week, well done also to Paul Raynor.
We deserved the win but there really is a lot of work to be done going forward but the beautiful thing is that these players and staff want to get better, we all want what our fantastic supporters want and that simply is winning football at Rotherham United.
Can you update us on the injury situation?
Yes of course.
Mark Bradley – He is now fit and available for selection like he was yesterday, delighted to have Bradders back.
Craig Morgan - We are hopeful he will be back in full training by mid-week, not far away.
Claude Davis - It is a bit early to say but he has damaged a hamstring. It could be a few days but until we get a scan and result on Tuesday we won't be wholly accurate.
Mitch Rose - Had his operation, out for the season.
David Worrall - Due to return to full training tomorrow morning, hopefully he is back with us. We have missed this lad and he will be a big player for us in the season ahead, good news!
Denis Circuit is an outstanding Head of Medical and plays a huge part in what we do, in him I trust to get the injured players back sooner than any other medical staff, he is doing an awesome job but I know he would prefer to have no injured players.
Other than the daily management and training of the group what else have you got on in the week ahead?
Most weeks are hectic and the week ahead is no exception. This morning the injured lads are in for treatment and rehabilitation and this afternoon I will be taking in the Coventry v Gillingham match.
Tomorrow afternoon we have an away closed door reserve match which will be essential as I need to get a number of lads some competitive action plus we will be looking at a few lads who are our guests for a few days. On Tuesday evening I am planning to watch Wolves v Walsall, of course our opponents next Saturday. On Wednesday evening we have a very young team travelling to Hull City for a reserve match. On top of this I have in the diary a few hospital visits to see a few Millers not having the best of times, let’s hope I can help cheers them up a little.
Are we looking to add to the squad in the week ahead?
Yes I am hopeful. We have formally agreed with a Championship club to take a player on loan but as always the player has to want to join us. Paul Douglas has done a great job after the Chairman sanctioned the deal on Friday. The lad will be asked by his manager in the morning for his thoughts on joining us and all being well I will get permission to have a chat with the lad thereafter, but as always I will need to hear he wants to be a part of what we are trying to achieve.
Our next opponents are Walsall next Saturday, what are your early thoughts?
Dean Smith, their manager, was once a room mate of Paul Raynor's and I know they remain very good friends. Dean has done a superb job and I know now we are in for a difficult afternoon, they have made a great start to the season.
Only yesterday they went away to Crewe and won very easily, I am told it could and should have been more than a 0 - 3 win. They have a number of excellent players and with the likes of Craig Westcarr they will always score goals.
By Tuesday I will have watched two of their recent matches on DVD and after I watch them at Wolves I will know a lot more then. They will be backed by a loud and passionate support, The Bescot is a great stadium for football and I love watching football there.