Paul Warne post Walsall...
ROTHERHAM United boss Paul Warne praised his side’s battling qualities, as they earned their fourth victory in five games, following a narrow win at Walsall.
Semi Ajayi’s tap-in gave the Millers the early initiative at the Banks’s Stadium but Joe Edwards’ neat header, soon after, levelled matters for Jon Whitney’s side.
However, the Millers roared on by a vocal travelling contingent and buoyed by the second-half introduction of Kieffer Moore, regained the lead thanks to David Ball’s close range finish before they successfully ran down the clock to finish 2017 on a positive note- to the delight of Warne.
“It’s nice to win football matches and to finish the year with a win is great for us, especially on the back of the run we are having at the moment. It’s a good place to be,” Warne enthused.
“It wasn’t a classic, it was a little end-to-end. Both sides looked tired at times. In the couple of times, we were put under pressure, the lads put their bodies on the line and we did really well.”
In a lively opening to the West Midlands encounter, Warne expressed his disappointment that his side were not able to capitalise on Ajayi’s early opener by being pegged back by the hosts but with the game in the balance after the break, the Millers boss insisted that the impact of Moore, was crucial in turning the tight affair in their favour.
“It was a good start. If we had capitalised on that and got another one, we could have had an easier day at the office,” Warne added.
“The goal they got was a good cross in and he finished it really well. They did not have enough threat to beat us. The change I made at half-time obviously had an impact and Kieffer came on and did what he does well, and he made the second goal.
“There were a couple of good performances, going forward, I thought Bally was excellent. Richie Towell did well for me in the middle of the park and I thought Fordey was a constant threat. There were a lot of positives to take. To win the game today, gives the lads massive confidence going into the game on Monday.”