Neil Redfearn post Huddersfield Town...
MILLERS chief Neil Redfearn was disappointed with his side’s first half performance as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town.
The hosts went in front thanks to Mustapha Carayol’s first-half screamer at the John Smith’s Stadium, but the Millers were a much improved outfit after the break and Joe Newell was close to levelling matters following a period of pressure.
However, Ishmael Miller raced clear to double Town’s lead to the disappointment of the Rotherham boss.
“In the first half, I thought we were poor,” Redfearn admitted.
“We were a yard off the space and we didn’t get close enough to them. We gave them too much room to play.
“Huddersfield have not won at home for four games and there is fragility about them and when we did press them in the first half, they looked vulnerable.”
Speaking afterwards, the Millers boss believed the Roses clash hinged on Miller’s strike, which took the game away from the visitors at a time when they were pinning their hosts deep inside their own half.
“The second goal is a mistake,” Redfearn added.
“We work hard all week on shape and to be fair in the last four games prior to this, we’ve played well.
“We’ve looked to have a good shape and we’ve been balanced and been in games but we cannot afford to drop below that.”
Redfearn had to do without the services of recent recruits Leon Best and Stephen Kelly in West Yorkshire, who were suffering from groin and calf injuries respectively, and Redfearn believes the return of the duo will help give much-needed experience to his side.
“Leon has got a groin problem but we’re hoping he may be fit for Saturday,” Redfearn added.
“He’s had a niggle on and off for a while and he’s had an injection to try and settle it down while Kelly’s not far away and he’s an important player for us.
“These are important players that we’ve brought in to help the players here and that’s what they done.”