Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United interim boss Paul Warne has urged his players to repay the supporters that have stuck by them in a difficult season with a win over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.The eyes of the nation will be on the action at AESSEAL New York Stadium as the Sky Sports cameras come to town, for live coverage of a game that Warne has fond memories of from his time as a player with the club.
Warne reiterated that he does not need reminding of the significance of tomorrow’s second tier clash and insists that he has made it equally clear to the current squad, just how imperative it is that they give the Millers’ faithful something to celebrate on Tuesday night.
“Everyone is well-aware of the game and as soon as I had done the press after the game on Saturday when I was a bit low, I had everyone telling me it was a big game on Tuesday,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“They are good games to play in and I said to the lads if you score in these games you'll be a legend. I think for the sponsors and everyone involved in the club, a win is just a beautiful thing.
“I think when I came here as a player it was the same. It was a much bigger event than I remember and the grounds were fuller than normal games.
“I enjoyed playing in those games but I enjoyed them a lot more when we won. I enjoyed watching Darren Garner running the length of the pitch and I enjoyed Richie Barker living off that header for 15 years or whaetever it is.”
With The Millers’ relegation confirmed at the weekend, the caretaker manager is hoping to secure South Yorkshire derby bragging rights with a victory over the Owls in an attempt to repay the club’s supporters and strengthen the connection between the players and their fans on the terraces ahead of next season.
“If I can lead the team out tomorrow and come back with a win it would be an absolute treat,” Warne added.
“A lot of these lads and staff will hopefully be here next year and getting a win against Wednesday would hopefully put smiles on faces and I think it would help connect the fans to the players a little bit.
“Even if you followed it with 10 defeats or six wins, a win is still a beautiful thing and nobody enjoys winning more than me and no one feels the pain more than me after a defeat.”
However, with tomorrow’s opposition’s sights firmly set on the Premier League, Warne admits that his side will have to overcome the odds to taste derby day success, but insists the Millers will revel in the circumstances at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“I think we're the underdogs going into the game tomorrow but I've thrived off having a life of being underdogs and that's fine with us and I'll get the lads ready for it,” he explained.
“Last year they had a really good season and they've strengthened significantly but I think the league is a lot harder this year.
“They might not be in the amazing form that they want, like the Newcastle's winning every game, but they're competitive in every match. I've watched their last two games over the last 24 hours so I sort of know that what they have done, doesn't mean it's what they will do.
“I think they're the same as us in that it's a one-off game and whoever grabs the game by the throat will win tomorrow night."