Neil Warnock post Blackburn Rovers...
Rotherham United boss Neil Warnock admitted it was an ‘emotional’ afternoon as his side signed off their fixtures at AESSEAL New York Stadium, despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers.The Millers chief had his first taste of defeat on home soil and suffered a loss for the first time in 12 games as his side’s impressive run came to an end following Shane Duffy’s winner, but Warnock paid tribute to the fans in the wake of the game with Paul Lambert’s side.
“It was quite emotional, I thought the fans were fantastic, and it was great for the players and their families to go around and take it all in,” he beamed.
“The fans are not daft; they know what we have achieved here, and how difficult it has been. There has been some great moments this season, and I am sure they will treasure them.”
Warnock’s side slipped to a narrow defeat in front of the home fans and the Millers boss conceded that his team weren’t at their best.
“We were sloppy today. It was a great opportunity to keep the run going. I don’t like losing at any time,” he explained.
“The goal was a sloppy one, it was the first time we have conceded from a set piece in the time I have been here.”
Former Rovers striker Leon Best spurned the Millers best chance of a leveller but Warnock was quick to add that he was pleased with his side’s application despite the defeat in what he described as a ‘good game’ on Saturday afternoon.
“I don’t think Leon knows how he missed that, somebody did jump in front of him, and for a split second he lost it. There is no other excuse, it was a great cross.
“We had one or two other chances, but it was difficult because we was doing twice as much work, as we was losing. We had to work twice as hard, but I can’t fault the lads.”
“It was still a good game, there was lots of goalmouth action, but I know they tried hard and I will not fault that.”
“I thought we were sluggish in midfield today, but you can put that down to how hard they have worked since I have been here.”
Warnock finished by looking forward to the challenge of a trip to Hull City that awaits his side next Saturday but is confident that his team are a match for anyone in the Sky Bet Championship.
“I am glad we are playing Hull next week, a team chasing promotion, and I want to put in a good performance for the away fans – I know there is a good contingent going up.
“You wouldn’t write us off against anyone in this league now, and that is a sign of how far we have come, people know they are in for a tough game against us."