Steve Evans post Preston North End...
Rotherham United boss Steve Evans admitted that the quality of defending of both teams was the reason that his side played out a goalless draw with Preston North End at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Neither the Millers nor the Lilywhites could find a way through each other’s defence despite a late flurry of attacks from the hosts who picked up their first point of the season.
“I think in the first 60 minutes it’s not a good game for either side. I don’t think any side had any dominance we both just seemed to cancel each other out,” Evans conceded.
“I thought the game needed a spark and some width and I think over the 90 minutes we’re unfortunate not to win the game.
“When you look at us laying siege to their goal for the last 20 minutes then it’s disappointing that we’ve only got a point, but we’ll take it because it’s a good Preston side that was out there.”
Evans continued to add that Preston goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was right to acknowledge the contribution of his defenders, who denied the Millers any clear cut chances throughout the night.
“I think there was some heroic defending in their box with some balls across the goal and different things without the goalkeeper being called on. I saw him coming up the tunnel slapping the backs of the two central defenders and so he should do.”
The Millers boss praised another industrious showing from his side who he believed may still be feeling the effects from a spirited performance at Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
“The boys worked tremendously hard but they just seemed to be down a yard from Saturday. I thought at the City Ground we were excellent and I still believe that after reviewing it.
“I said at half time it just looked a nervous performance. We lost to MK Dons and at the City Ground and people didn’t want to get on the ball and take a touch and pass and move and that’s what we’re good at when we’re on the front foot. We never lacked that in the last 20 minutes.”