Alan Stubbs post Newcastle United...
Rotherham United manager Alan Stubbs says that his side will have no problems picking up points in the Sky Bet Championship if they continue to turn in performances of a similar ilk to those against Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town.The Millers turned in a battling display at AESSEAL New York Stadium against one of the second tier’s favourites for promotion but suffered defeat as Christian Atsu’s wonderstrike helped the Magpies to a 1-0 win.
Despite being disappointed to have tasted defeat, Stubbs believes if his side can recreate their form of the last week, they will begin to climb the Championship table.
“If they keep putting performances in the way they have done this week, I’ve got no doubt they will pick up points sooner rather than later,” he explained.
“They’re disappointed but I can’t fault anything today. Their effort and their attitude and desire was excellent, but you have to give the opposition that you’re up against a bit of credit.
“The last two games are certainly what we’re trying to get to, but not where we want to be. We’ve just played two of the top teams in the division and given them a real run for their money.”
The hosts dominated the opening 45 minutes and hit the post either side of the break through Jon Taylor and Dominic Ball and the Millers boss says Atsu’s moment of brilliance was the only difference between the sides on Saturday afternoon at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“We’ve certainly given Newcastle a real game,” Stubbs enthused.
“I think when you look at it overall, I the majority of the game was played between the 18 yard boxes and I don’t think either keeper was troubled an awful lot.
“I think that tells you how tight it was and it’s one bit of quality that has won them the game.
“One moment of maybe not being a yard or two closer has given them an opportunity to put the ball into the back of the net.
“I can’t repeat what I’m thinking when the ball hits the post. You can feel sorry for yourself if you want to and that everything is against us or you can keep going and make your own luck. If you keep doing the right things more often than not, things will fall for you.”
After defeats against the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City in recent weeks, the Millers boss believes he has seen enough to suggest that his side have turned a corner of late.
“On too many occasions we’ve beaten ourselves and over the last couple of games it’s been no coincidence that we’ve stayed in games better and that’s what’s given us a better chance of picking up points,” Stubbs explained.
“We played the top on Tuesday and before kick off today, the team that was in third and our next game is against the team that started today in second. If you’re being fair, we could have taken two points from both games.
“We certainly would have wanted another game because our performances have taken a step in the right direction."