Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Match Reports

POST MATCH | Jackett positive about improved Millers

29 October 2016

Match Reports

POST MATCH | Jackett positive about improved Millers

29 October 2016

Sponsored by

Kenny Jackett post Ipswich Town...

Manager Kenny Jackett was keen to take the positives from his side's performances despite being denied a deserved victory after a late equaliser from Ipswich's David McGoldrick.

The Millers recovered from a shaky start when Freddie Sears put the hosts into an early lead, with Danny Ward notching his seventh and eighth goals of the campaign to put Jackett's side in front.

It looked as though the Millers would hold out until the fourth minute of stoppage time, when McGoldrick fired in from distance to claim a point with virtually the last kick of the game.

After the game Jackett was upbeat, keen to take the positives whilst also stressing there are still areas for improvement.

"There were a lot of positives out of the performance," Jackett told the press.

"They were keen and competitive, and they are a very hard working group - that's a lot to work with. 

"Three out of the four goals today were set-pieces, and we have to be ready for that. Last week we lost 1-0 in a 50/50 game and again it was a set piece, 86th minute. That is something that has to be addressed, by the players that we have at the moment. We have to win the set piece game, which is a game within a game, and if you are looking at it then it is nice to see, with a very good finish by Danny, that we score from them.

"It was a terrific strike from McGoldrick, consistently in the last 15 minutes I was getting one of my midfield players to go and man mark him because I know he has that quality if it does drop to him. He is very capable, it is a terrific strike and there is not a lot that my goalkeeper can do. There is some disappointment today, and some disappointment in that dressing room quite naturally after being 2-1 up and conceding in the 94th minute. 

"I was waiting for the onslaught to come in that second period, but my goalkeeper didn't necessarily have a lot to do. It was a quality strike, that is the division, there are a lot of quality players. You have to be ready and prepared all of the time."

Ward bagged a brace after another tireless display in attack, whilst Will Vaulks was also impressive after coming into the side for the injured Lee Frecklington.

"He (Ward) is a threat and utilising his pace and making sure that we can keep him fit and scoring goals for us, is a big strength," added Jackett.

"I like Will, it is early days, I haven't worked with him before or seen too much of him coming down from Scotland. His first game, he competed very well, as did Dominic Ball coming on, he acquitted himself well, after we lost the likes of Frecklington and Halford who have a lot of experience.

"Frecklington has an ankle injury, he did it in the Birmingham game two weeks ago, we are hopeful that next week he will be fit for selection. Halford pulled his calf in the opening period of the game."

There is a full interview with Kenny Jackett on Millers Player HD now.

Advertisement block

iFollow Next Match Tickets Account