Joe Mattock talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
FULL-BACK Joe Mattock insists it is not in Rotherham’s DNA to throw in the towel, as they look to again close the gap on the sides above them in the Championship table.
The Millers have shown improvement under interim manager Paul Warne, especially on home soil after recording victories over the likes of Wigan, QPR and Norwich at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Despite defeat at league leaders Newcastle last weekend, the Millers can take heart from their first-half showing with Mattock adamant his side will fight tooth and nail to preserve their Championship status.
“There are still plenty of games to come. We can’t just think that the season is done and dusted. It’s not in our blood, it’s not in our DNA,” Mattock stated.
“We cannot afford to think about the table. It will always be in the back of the players’ minds that teams are pulling away from us, but we’ve got to play our own game.”
The Millers know they need try and turn some of their improved performances into results if they are to give themselves a shot of Championship safety.
They have a derby to look forward to this weekend against Barnsley, as Warne’s side look to re-enforce their improved form on home soil.
“We’ve just got to focus on being positive and try and take the game to teams,” Mattock added.
“There have been spells in games when we’ve been dominating teams so we’ve got to focus on those positives and take them into the next few games.
“We’ve got to stay strong minded and take it game-by-game. I think we play better at home, it’s the way we are. We’ve got to think about picking up points.”