Alan Stubbs post Brighton...
Rotherham United manager Alan Stubbs acknowledged his side made mistakes, but took positives from a second half showing after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
After a solid start to the game, the Millers conceded two goals in quick succession when Anthony Knockaert and Glenn Murray gave the hosts the advantage, and a Tomer Hemed penalty in the second half secured the points for Chris Hughton’s side.
But Stubbs took some comfort from his side’s response, stating that he saw signs of improvement in the second half.
“I asked the players at half-time, I questioned them, not about attitude, but about how much it meant, and I thought that second half the way they went about it was much better,” Stubbs said after the game.
“I’ve got to be honest; I got the response I was looking for.
“For the first 20 minutes I thought that we started to frustrate them, and then before you know it we contribute to the first goal by giving the ball away on the edge of then box. When you have players of the quality that Brighton have, then you know that they are likely to punish you.
“We were punished for the first goal we conceded, the second quickly followed after that. We had spoken to the players before the game about Brighton putting a lot of crosses into the box. It was important to stop that, we didn’t, and they scored from it.”
The Millers were without new signing Izzy Brown who didn’t get the green light to be signed in time to play a part at the Amex Stadium, but Stubbs confirmed that the Chelsea loanee will be in his thoughts for the weekend.
Despite the tough start to the season, taking on two of the division’s heavyweights in quick succession, Stubbs has backed his side to adapt quickly to the rigours of The Championship.
“We know we have had a tough start,” he added.
“Brighton and Villa away, it doesn’t get much tougher than that, but I have to say that I am pleased with the second half. There are players that are adapting to this division, but I thought second half there were some better performances and we’ll be fine, I have no doubt about that.
“I thought at times in the first half we rushed it when we were in possession of the ball, we gave it away too quickly. I trust the players, but they have to trust themselves as well when they are in possession of the ball. They will get better, they are some young players in there, but they will get better quickly.”
There is a full interview with Alan Stubbs on Millers Player HD now.