Neil Redfearn post Ipswich Town...
Rotherham United boss Neil Redfearn was disappointed with his side’s performance after a 5-2 home defeat against Ipswich Town at AESSEAL New York Stadium.The Millers were stunned by first half goals from Brett Pitman, Jonathan Douglas and Daryl Murphy which saw them trail by three goals at the break.
The hosts did muster a second half fightback with debutant Brandon Barker notching a very impressive first goal in Millers’ colours before Matt Derbyshire added another minutes later.
However, Tractor Boys’ striker Daryl Murphy, who finished as the Championship’s top goalscorer last season, completed his hat-trick to ensure the visitors left with maximum points.
“We’ve had 20 minutes to half an hour in the second half where we got a couple of goals back but the defending has been awful today,” Redfearn admitted after the game.
“We’ve looked back at the goals and there’s maybe one of them which is a good finish, but the others we’ve given away which is totally unacceptable.
“You can’t give sides like Ipswich Town a leg up and that’s what we did today and obviously got punished for it.”
Redfearn is hoping his side can replicate the fighting spirit they showed early in the second half on a more consistent basis, but insists they need to perform for longer periods and cut out the mistakes.
“I just want the application, and people to grow up and become men and take responsibility,” Redfearn explained.
“What was apparent was the battle and the fighting spirit in the second half. To only get 20 minutes of that today was very disappointing because it proves when they do play like that we are capable of scoring.
“If you score two goals at home you expect to get something. To concede five is too many.”
Redfearn was pleased with the contribution of new signing Barker who capped his debut with a smartly taken strike from the edge of the area.
“Brandon has got ability and he did one or two great things and opened them up,” added Redfearn.
“To be fair, I felt a little bit sorry for him because he was let down by one or two of the experienced players in the squad.”