Neil Warnock post Middlesbrough...
Rotherham United boss Neil Warnock hailed his side’s 1-0 triumph over Middlesbrough as one of the best wins of his decorated managerial career in the aftermath of the action at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Tuesday night.The Millers manager heaped praise on his team following Lee Frecklington’s second half winner in Rotherham and admitted that they executed the gameplan perfectly to see off Premier League hopefuls Middlesbrough.
“I thought we thoroughly deserved it in the end. The crowd were fantastic, and I think it’s one of the best results I have ever had in the circumstances,” Warnock enthused.
“The lads have been brilliant, they put everything in and they all worked so hard. We’re organised, and we know what we are doing, and we do create chances.
“All I can ask of them is that we go out organised and that they give me everything, and they are giving me absolutely everything.
Warnock was delighted by his team’s application following wholehearted performances which yielded wins against Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday and admits the spirit is high in the dressing room after victory over one of the Championship’s strongest outfits.
“The amount of effort we put in at Sheffield Wednesday, to then come here against the best side in the league and to put a shift in like that is brilliant,” Warnock continued.
“They’re as good a side as I have seen in the Championship, so we can’t compete with them in that respect, but the lads put their heads and bodies on the line tonight.
“We still have a long long way to go, but it’s happy a place and we have a great group of lads.”
The Millers boss took time to commend the achievement of three consecutive second tier victories but admits that his side will need to recuperate ahead of Saturday’s clash with Derby County.
“In the Championship, three wins on the bounce does not happen often, I will be glad Saturday night when we have a week off,” Warnock beamed after the match.
“You could see one or two tire. I don’t know how Derbyshire does it? He played one or two positions for me and never complained and he puts everything into the game. That epitomises the squad though.”
“The hard word starts now; we have 10 cup finals coming up.
“Belief is so important with players, and now we have to believe that we are going to get more points than the teams above.”
Middlesbrough did forge a number of chances in the game but the Millers were able to weather the storm before Lee Frecklington capped a fine foray forward with a composed finish to win it for the hosts.
“They were the better team first half, they are a good side. I thought if we could get in at half time 0-0 we could improve 30/40% and we did.
“We looked a lot better in the second half and we won our challenges.”
“Clarke-Harris made it from the left, we put him on as we needed a bit of pace, and we thought we might get one or two things happen from it.
“It was a great ball into the box, and an even better dummy run across the face of goal, and it was a great finish wasn’t it?”