Neil Warnock post Leeds United...
Rotherham United boss Neil Warnock paid tribute to the Rotherham United supporters after his side’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.Goals from Lee Frecklington and Greg Halford secured the three points after Luke Murphy’s deflected equaliser, but they had to do so with ten men, after Matt Derbyshire saw red in the 60th minute.
Both sides ended the game with a man less than they started with after Leeds goalkeeper Marco Silvestri was dismissed for a last man foul, paving the way for Halford to seal the points from the penalty spot.
The Millers boss praised the home faithful for keeping the AESSEAL New York Stadium loud until the final whistle and admitted they helped the hosts over the line in the Yorkshire derby.
“There was a tremendous atmosphere, and I think the fans deserve a lot of credit, they kept us going when we went down to ten men,” Warnock beamed after the game.
“When we were down to ten men and it was one each, the fans were brilliant. The atmosphere kept our lads going and they were willing us on, and it is amazing what a bunch of genuine lads can do.
“It is amazing run we are on. It has been down to the fans, they really do not know how important they are to us.”
Joe Mattock’s delicious ball across the box set up Frecklington on 27 minutes, before Luke Murphy’s shot from range took a cruel deflection past Lee Camp, to level the scores.
The winner came in dramatic fashion, with Frecklington brought down in the box after taking it round Marco Silvestri who was issued his marching orders for the tackle leaving Halford to roll home the penalty.
Warnock added he thought he side were good value for the win, despite a slow start at a packed AESSEAL New York Stadium and voiced his disbelief that midfielder Frecklington found the energy so late in the game to create the second goal.
“I think we deserved it overall, we were the better team,” he explained.
“After a patchy start, we grew into the game and looked dangerous on the attacks, it was my kind of game that, with everything flying about.”
“The deflection was enough to sicken anybody, but all credit to them, they stuck to it. Danny Ward was chasing lost causes.
“Frecks, what was he doing in the box at that time of the game? It was a great piece of skill.”
Today’s result saw the Millers continue a sparkling run of form, that has seen them take 16 out of a possible 18 points to move them clear of the Sky Bet Championship drop zone.
The dramatic encounter carried over from the thrilling draw against Derby County, with the decisive penalty coming in the 88th minute.
Warnock joked that the drama in South Yorkshire was almost too much for him to take and admitted he may need a once over from the club doctor when the 2015/16 comes to a close.
“I don’t know if I can carry on doing much more like this, my heart is taking a beating,” Warnock added.
“Three nil down against Derby and this today, I need a good medical at the end of the season.”
“I was brought up to never give in; wherever I have been I have had players like this, who would just do that little bit more.
With only seven games to go of the Sky Bet Championship season, and the Millers now five points clear of MK Dons, Warnock has encouraged his men to keep up the momentum:
“We are a genuine bunch, and they are enjoying it, and we have got seven games to go and I want them to carry on enjoying it,” he continued.
“It will not always be like that, we may have disappointments, but it is how we respond really. Everyone gave their all today and it is a great dressing room at the minute.”
“This is a lovely club, a friendly club, I knew we were when I came as a player – and nothing has changed, the chairman has done a fantastic job.”
“I want to win the next seven, I am going to enjoy every minute, and going to Bristol and winning is my next target."