Kenny Jackett talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Kenny Jackett says the onus will be on Rotherham United as they look to change their fortunes in the Sky Bet Championship at Derby County this Saturday.The Millers’ boss says he is keen to replicate the away performance at Ipswich Town which saw them come within seconds of their first points on the road this season, but will be looking to ensure his side turn in those types of performances more frequently in the second tier.
“All my focus is on ourselves and we have to be strong enough and competitive enough to compete on a regular basis in this division and that’s something we need to improve on,” Jackett explained.
“We were disappointed to concede a late goal [at Ipswich]. Generally, if you put performances in then results will follow and that’s what we have to believe. I think two out of the three games there have been good performances and they’re the ones we have to capitalise on and look for and try to replicate.
The Rams, who were once again tipped to challenge at the top end of the Sky Bet Championship endured a slow start to the 2016/17 campaign, but have propelled themselves into mid-table following wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers in recent weeks.
Jackett admits he is aware of the threats that Steve McClaren’s side will pose his side at the iPro Stadium and is looking forward to returning to league action this weekend, following the international break.
“They’ve had an upturn in fortunes and they’re one of the bigger clubs in a very good division,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We know their strengths, we know their weaknesses and we know that it is a good squad of players and a very good club.
“I’m pleased to be playing again after a week off and we’re looking to do better than we did against Preston and I didn’t think in either half we got close to them.
“Then we had a spell where we got one back and we were going to have a run at them but ultimately the third goal killed the game."