Neil Warnock post Nottingham Forest...
Rotherham United boss Neil Warnock admitted he felt that his side could have recorded victory in the wake of the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest but was happy to add another point to the club's tally for the 2015/16 season.The Millers stretched their unbeaten run to nine games but there was nothing to separate them from a resilient Forest side in South Yorkshire.
Millers defender Richard Wood had two golden opportunities to edge his side in front in a tightly contested affair on Saturday which caused his manager to joke that his centre half could have claimed a hat-trick with his chances, but took time to pay tribute to his upturn in form since the turn of the year.
“I still don’t know how Wood has not taken the match ball home with him today. He had five good chances, whereas normally he would be lucky to get one,” Warnock explained.
“Wood has had a good game today, he has not played much since Christmas, and he is coming on strong at the end of the season.”
“You could see the effort the lads put in today. We were a little bit sloppy first half, we changed two or three things at half time, and I thought we did improve.”
“I thought we could dominate the second half and to an extent we did, having a few chances – I was pleased with the second half.”
Forest fashioned their most notable chance of the game late on when Ryan Mendes escaped the attentions of the Millers rearguard, but he was thwarted by another top save from goalkeeper Lee Camp.
The Millers boss believes his side grew into the game against Paul Williams’ Forest, who he believes are in a false position in the second tier.
“We gave Mendes a bit too much room to start with, but we altered that, and I think we definitely improved in the second half,” Warnock added.
“Having said that Camp has pulled off three or four good saves and overall I would say it was a fair result.”
“You could see the quality of the side on their team sheet, they deserve more than the 40 odd points they have.”
The draw means the Millers remain nine clear of the MK Dons, who drew at Preston, with only four games remaining in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Millers could secure their place in the second tier for next season with a win over Huddersfield Town in midweek, however, Warnock does not want his side to get complacent.
“It would be nice to put it to bed on Tuesday, but I do not want us to relax, I really want this club to finish as high as they can,” he explained.
“Tuesday will be a big game for us and then Wolves on Saturday, but they are great games and I am still enjoying every moment.
“It was a disappointment not to get three points today and shoot up the table, but we will take we have got now and the club is reaping the results.”
Popular midfielder Lee Frecklington was passed fit ahead of the hosting of the City Ground-club but Warnock admits he will need to monitor his progress over the course of the next couple of games.
“Frecklington gave us an hour and might be available for Tuesday. I was told he might be out for a couple of weeks after the MK Dons game, it is just tightness, and we need to be careful with that.”
“I have a very good team, there is a great spirit around the club, and they can play as well – but they are not afraid to stick their heads in.”