Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United interim boss Paul Warne says the discipline and organisation of their Cardiff City opponents will come as no surprise this weekend, as the Millers lock horns with some familiar faces in the Sky Bet Championship.Neil Warnock, Kevin Blackwell, Ronnie Jepson and Andy Dibble will all be patrolling the opposing dugout as the two sides meet in South Wales on Saturday, while utility man Greg Halford could line up against his former club for the first time.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to the Cardiff City Stadium, Warne admitted that his side will have been meticulously researched and expects a very tough test as they take on the Bluebirds.
“I think we know them all really well,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“What I do know is that they'll be really diligent on all of our setups, our set pieces, our kicks offs and everything and that's Blacky's domain. He's brilliant at that and he pulls that apart and he'll set up.
"They'll obviously be really good on their set pieces too.
“They're really good in both boxes, I've been watching clips of them yesterday and today and they're a big physical side. They have good pace up top and two massive throws and to put that into context, Greg Halford's is the smaller of the two.
“They've got some weapons in their arsenal and they're on a good run of form. They're playing at home so I expect a tough game but I expect a tough game wherever we are in this league.”
The Millers’ caretaker also took time to pay tribute his former boss ahead of the trip whilst adding that he is sure the Bluebirds’ staff will use their vast experience to their benefit as the two sides meet in the second tier.
“It's a good group and they've got an awful lot of games between them in management and it must be about 2,000 or more,” Warney continued.
“They've been there, done that and they don't get flustered too easily.
“The gaffer, Neil [Warnock], was like a psychologist, which I didn't expect before I met him.
“He really got the best out of the players and he got a lot out of Derbs, Wardy, Besty and Greg to name a few.
“It wasn't so much through the coaching, it was the way he treated them and the way he spoke to them and that made them want to do well for him, so the relationship as a whole works really well.
“I suppose it has a little bit more romance, if that's right in Valentine's week, but because we have a relationship with their staff, we'll have a good chat and a coffee with them or a glass of wine.”
Warne continued to hail the influence of assistant boss Kevin Blackwell for his role in the coaching setup, alongside two more familiar faces in Ronnie Jepson and Andy Dibble.
“I think Blacky was uber diligent and there wasn't anything he missed,” he added.
“He could get the point across and he was the stern coach and I always think you need good cop, bad cop and he was the sterner of the two.
“He was brilliant, good to watch and I really liked working with him and I learnt quite a bit to be fair.
“Obviously with us Hammy is the bad, angry cop, who isn't really that angry unless you take his food away!
“Jeppo played a big part as well and Dibbs is now down there and I am sure it will be a good group to have a drink with after the game."