Redfearn post Bolton Wanderers...
Rotherham United boss Neil Redfearn praised his side’s persistence in a ‘well-deserved’ win after a 4-0 triumph over Bolton Wanderers at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
A tightly contested first half saw the two sides go in level at 0-0 before goals from Grant Ward, Danny Ward, Joe Newell and substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris ensured the hosts put daylight between themselves and the Trotters with three points that moved them out of the Championship drop zone.
“I thought it was a well earned three points, we deserved to win,” Redfearn said after the game.
“In the end the scoreline is quite convincing but it was a tight affair in the first half. We played well in the first half without opening them up, there wasn’t much clear cut apart from the Danny Ward chance when the ‘keeper makes a save. Campy makes a good save at the other end at 0-0, but the clean sheet, the willingness to work for one another and the closing down, and their understanding of the shape and game plan I thought was spot on today."
The Millers boss continued to add that he believes his side will grow to be stronger as they become accustomed to the shape that has seen them record back-to-back home wins over Hull City and Bolton Wanderers.
“There are a lot of players who are growing now into this shape and system, and they are starting to put their imprint on the side,” Redfearn added.
“Joe Newell and Grant Ward are occupying their wing positions really well, and I thought that Tony Andreu came into the side and put in a really good performance. He buzzed about just in behind Danny Ward, who I thought led the line really well, when he got hold of the ball he was really strong.”
The Trotters arrived in South Yorkshire as the second tier’s bottom placed club and Redfearn admitted that he was fully aware of the significance of today’s result in his side’s quest to establish themselves further up the Sky Bet Championship table. Redfean continued:
“There was a lot at stake and two sides that desperately wanted the points. We locked horns and there was nothing in it. We found it difficult to break them down and they defended quite well. If you look across the back four they had Dervite and Wheater who are top quality players. They have good players and we found it difficult to create clear cut chances in the first half.
“In the second half the game started to get stretched, and the way we play at this moment in time, we have the legs to get up the pitch quickly. The likes of Newell and Grant Ward, they join Danny Ward really quickly. The likes of Richie Smallwood and Lee Frecklington were working hard to close them down, winning the second balls and then we are countering. That was a real facet of the second half."
Former Bolton Wanderers attacker Danny Ward was charged with leading the Millers attack and had another fine display rewarded with a second half goal as he rounded the onrushing Ben Amos before applying the calmest of finishes.
“He did a lot of unselfish things today and he got his reward with his goal. He took it really well. He got through, kept his composure, rounded the ‘keeper and slotted the ball in brilliantly. It was a great finish and he richly deserved the goal.”
Redfearn insists his side will not get carried away ahead of a tricky away trip to Craven Cottage and will continue to focus on preparations for his side as they take on Fulham.
“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves,” he concluded.
“We have to keep doing the right things, and I have spoken before about getting the level of performance right. The level of performance was good again today, even in the first half when it was tight. If you look at it now, that is four wins in seven games, which is play-off form in anyone’s book. We have to keep putting these little runs together, and keep the consistency.”