Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United interim manager Paul Warne says he is hoping his side are able to recreate the performance that saw them run Premier League hopefuls Huddersfield Town close, as they take on a similar calibre of opposition in Fulham on Saturday.The Millers’ caretaker drew comparisons between the Cottagers and the Terriers, both of whom are challenging at the top end of the second tier, and insists his side will need to produce a showing of a similar ilk if they are to stall Slavisa Jokanovic’s side’s progress in the Sky Bet Championship.
“I need a performance similar to the Huddersfield game where we go toe-to-toe with them and give our fans something to cheer about,” Warne told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I think they are the in-form passing team in the league. Them and Huddersfield are probably the two best at it.”
Warne continued to explain that he has been very impressed by what he has seen from the Craven Cottage-club in recent weeks but believes the Millers can take heart from their showing in the early stages at the reverse fixture in the capital.
“I thought we played well at their place,” he explained.
“We played a 4-4-1-1, and Izzy Brown was excellent for us in the hole. The game changed when he had to come off regrettably.
“I've been hugely impressed with Fulham. They love to pass the ball. They love to come through the centre of the pitch, and they are ridiculously quick.”
With last week’s international break providing a break in the fixtures for the Millers’ first team, Warne found time in his calendar to spend time in the company of a manager of another sport, as he looked to glean some gems of wisdom from Sheffield Steelers head coach Paul Thompson.
“I went and met Paul yesterday,” he continued.
“A mutual friend kindly arranged it for us and I followed him around like a lap dog. I got to be in the team meetings with Hammy, watched them in the stretching room, and sat having breakfast with them.
“I liked their attention to detail and he was kind enough to chat with me for a couple of hours after training.
“He's been in sport management for 25 years, so I was just picking his brains. He was really good and I really enjoyed his company, and I'll take on board what he said."