Kenny Jackett post Leeds United...
Rotherham United manager Kenny Jackett says he still believes there is character within his side following their narrow 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.Goals from Chris Wood and Souleymane Doukara proved too much for the Millers despite Richard Wood’s header setting up a nervy finish for Garry Monk’s side in the Yorkshire derby, with the hosts’ task made even more difficult by the dismissal of Peter Odemwingie in the first half.
However, Rotherham boss Jackett praised his team’s spirit in difficult circumstances following the restart and says they were unlucky not to snatch a point from the all-Yorkshire affair.
“There was a young group on there at the end and they gave everything and we were unlucky not to get something out of the game and at least showed a battling performance and didn't fall away,” he explained in the wake of the game.
“There were some positives and there was some spirit in the second half from a young group.
“It's a young group that are eager and pushing to try to make their way in the game and establish themselves in the Championship and play for Rotherham.”
The Millers’ start was hampered by injuries to Greg Halford and Lee Camp, both of whom were forced off, but Jackett was pleased by his side’s resurgence which almost saw them net an equaliser moments before the end.
“It looked like we were out of the game and then obviously we had injuries early on which limited the substitutions,” he added.
“Then we have the sending off and I have seen it back and I think it's hard for us to argue with the referee's decision.
“Leeds looked very strong right from the start and it was very difficult for us to keep hold of them. We showed some effort and some spirit in the second period which we can base the future on.
“There's a big scramble in the box and I thought it was in,” Jackett continued.
“It's sat up for Dominic Ball and unfortunately we haven't put that away. We do perhaps need that little bit of luck to turn things for us but in the end, you make your own luck and performances do follow results.”
Jackett finished by explaining that all three of the Millers’ subs were forced due to injury and gave the breakdown on their early prognosis.
“He [Halford] has an ankle problem and he's gone over on it quite badly and they've taken him to hospital,” he said after the game.
“It's his role and we've been working hard to try and get the best out of him and it is an unfortunate injury.
“It was a knee-to-knee and for Lee [Camp] to come off it must have been quite bad. We hope he recovers quickly.
“Joe Newell has come off with a problem with the top of his hamstring/lower glute, so all three substitutions today were injuries with two of them in the first half."