Nothing for special performances though, says Evans...
Rotherham United manager Steve Evans said he was delighted with 70 minutes of his side’s performance after they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town.
The Millers conceded two goals in eight minutes at the start of the game, but fought back and dominated possession for large parts of the game only to come away empty handed.
“We can’t come to any club nevermind a Championship one and concede the two goals the way we did. The first goal’s sloppy, and then they have a piece of magic from McGoldrick where if you want to pick at it you can say we should close him down but I said to the lads at half-time I was proud of them.
“We didn’t buckle, we stuck to our game plan and I felt we should have had a penalty again but then second-half there was only one team trying to play and while I thought we could have another penalty what’s to blame today is an awful first five minutes. But I’m standing here watching a performance which for 70 minutes is special in the Championship but you get nothing for special performances. When you go 2-0 down in five minutes at Portman Road you think it’s going to be a long day but we came back into it and I think second-half was an absolute one-way domination of a football match.”
Whilst the Millers boss was forced into the three changes which saw Anthony Wordsworth and Paul Taylor (ineligible) miss out alongside Craig Morgan (suspended), Richie Smallwood was a surprise omission from the teamsheet.
“His hamstring was tight, and Arnason brought a knock into the game but he’s put a shift in for us when he’s only about 60 or 70% fit. As for Richie hamstrings are funny things and the medical department say it’s very minor but we really don’t know. We will have Morgan, Wordsworth and Taylor back but even if I didn't, I was delighted with that group today.”