Neil Warnock post MK Dons
MILLERS chief Neil Warnock was quick to pay tribute to his side following their comfortable 4-0 victory at fellow relegation rivals Milton Keynes Dons.
The Millers opened a nine-point gap between themselves and the hosts, with just five games to go, following the victory at stadiummk and Warnock was full of his praise for his charges, who earned their sixth win in eight games.
“It was a comprehensive victory today and we started well with the goal,” Warnock enthused.
“We insisted we that we had got to start well because I’ve been at the other end of the table and you know what it’s like coming to a team fighting for their lives, so it was important we started well and we couldn’t get off to a better start.”
The Millers made the perfect start when Matt Derbyshire struck from close range following good work by Grant Ward before Leon Best soon doubled their advantage from the spot after Richard Wood was felled by home ‘keeper Cody Cropper.
Kirk Broadfoot netted his first goal for the club with a superb header before Richie Smallwood put the icing on the cake with a spectacular effort late on - to the delight of the Rotherham supremo.
“I thought we grew into the game even though Campy made a couple of brilliant saves. Overall, we missed quite a few good chances but you cannot get too greedy,” Warnock added.
“I didn’t talk with Smallwood about his goal, I talked about how he could miss a point-blank header! I’ve forgot about his goal so he may not be too happy when I see him.”
The Millers took a large step towards Championship safety with the victory in Buckinghamshire and Warnock has not been surprised over his side’s recent form, which saw him named March Championship manager of the month last week.
“We’ve done well recently.” Warnock enthused.
“We don’t concede a lot of goals. Kevin (Blackwell) and Ronnie (Jepson) have worked really hard on the defensive and attacking side of the game and they’ve listened to us. The lads know what we want of them. They know we may get beaten by a bit of skill by an opponent at this level but in general, we are well organised and we’ve got a bit about us. We’ve got ability to score goals and it’s a lovely recipe.
“I’m enjoying it. We’ve five games to go and I’m really enjoying it.
“It’s a great run we are on and I want the lads to enjoy it. It shows what you can do with a good group and I think they are amazing themselves with the ability they have with the ball. It’s a lovely situation at the moment and you’ve got to enjoy it.”
The only blot on the Millers copybook saw midfield dynamo Lee Frecklington suffer a recurrence of a calf injury at the end of the first half but Warnock is hopeful the injury is not too serious.
“He only stiffened up, his calf didn’t go, so hopefully it’s only a couple of weeks but the amount of running he and the likes of Derbyshire has done, is amazing.
The Millers chief was also quick to praise the large travelling contingent, who made their way north, in good spirits, following the nature of the victory.
“When you have a following like that away, it was important,” Warnock enthused.
“To get nearly three thousand today, was a credit to the club. They got behind us today superbly."