Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne has called on his side to build on last weekend’s Sky Bet Championship triumph over Ipswich Town, ahead of their trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End on Saturday.The Millers recorded a 1-0 win over the Tractor Boys when the sides met at AESSEAL New York Stadium in the club's last outing and will look to end their winless run on the road as they travel to face the Lilywhites.
First team boss Warne admits he is aiming to harness the confidence gained from that win to get a result against Simon Grayson’s side, but admits he is under no illusions that he is facing a good team in Preston North End.
“I'd like to but I don't want to build it up too much in case something goes awry,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“The lads can take a bit of confidence from what they did last week and they've trained well this week.
“They're playing against a good team and I'm well-aware of that but as I've said all along, football is about results and it's about performances too because people are playing for their careers here or anywhere else.
“It's about getting performances out of the lads that we can be proud of, so I'm looking forward to the next two games.”
Warne has connections in more ways than one to Saturday’s opponents, having enjoyed time as a player with the Millers alongside current PNE assistant Steve Thompson, and says that he has kept a close eye Grayson’s side’s progress in recent weeks.
“He kept his winners together and he's added to it a bit. He's got Thommo as his assistant who is a true football bloke and did brilliantly at Blackpool before going with the manager to Leeds,” he continued.
“I have a lot of time for Thommo and they are both proper football people so I'm pleased for their success.
“We went on to Newcastle and Preston were by far the better team first half. They had pace for fun out wide and they looked a good side.
“We learned a lot and I've watched their previous two games on the scouting software and stuff we have now but I don't think it's the same as watching them live, where you get a good feel.”
The Millers boss concluded by paying testament to the unity of the Preston North End squad, the majority of whom were assembled prior to their ascension into the Sky Bet Championship and acknowledged that they can’t be judged on their recent form.
“I know that they're on a little bit of a bad run for them, but they've had a great season so they'll be looking forward to finishing the season with a good performance against us,” Warne added.
“I've always thought that if you get a promotion team and they're used to winning, you just need to add a little bit to it. Obviously there is a little bit of natural erosion and the lesser players fade away."