Steve Evans talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Steve Evans was happy with today’s pre-season workout as the Millers recorded a comfortable 1-0 victory over Scottish League One side Greenock Morton.
The Millers dominated proceedings in their first pre-season outing with Kieran Agard’s goal enough to secure victory, as Evans watched several new signings in action during the opening game of the three match tour of Scotland.
“The first game of pre-season is always the most difficult one but I am pleased with the workout,” Evans told www.themillers.co.uk
“We are two weeks into pre-season, we have come away and got a 1-0 victory and it could have been more.
“We started a little sloppily but from the 15th minute mark through to half-time we controlled the half. It was similar in the second half after we made eight changes, but when we did get our foot on the ball and passed it we were in full control.
“They’ve hardly had an effort on our goal, our ‘keepers haven’t had a save to make aside from Scott Loach catching one is his midriff. It is something to build on, the lads have done a tough session this morning and they will do a tough session tomorrow but overall it is a positive start and many thanks to the Rotherham supporters who have turned up today. They have come a long way from South Yorkshire to support us and they will be pleased with many aspects and they will know from previous years that we are still waiting to get into full stride.”
The Millers were missing Craig Morgan, Matt Derbyshire and Kirk Broadfoot for the game at Cappielow Park but boss Evans admitted that their absence was merely precautionary, after they picked up knocks during training.
“We were missing three bodies today with Kirk Broadfoot, Matt Derbyshire and Craig Morgan all carrying little niggling injuries but it meant that also one or two in the squad got 90 minutes,” added the Millers boss.
“Craig Morgan was just feeling his toe in the warm-up, and I’ve said it a million times we are not in the risk business at this football club, so we left him out. Matt Derbyshire was feeling his groin a little, Kirk Broadfoot was feeling his Achilles, we don’t expect any major issues. They are probably four to seven day little niggles and you are going to get them from time-to-time because the lads have been working extremely hard just like we do every pre-season.”
The Millers are two full days into their tour north of the border and overall Evans has been pleased with progress.
“The fitness levels of the group are fantastic, we are going to work them hard, we have to work them hard and that will continue. Injuries are part and parcel of football; it doesn’t give me any concern. Overall the fitness is good.
“Some of the lads will work again this evening with Paul Warne and the medical staff. Tomorrow morning we’ll be back on the training ground for another tough session, that’s the nature of pre-season.”