Paul Warne talks to iFollow Millers...
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne expressed his pride at his side’s performance after a 3-0 success against Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy.
First-half goals from Jerry Yates, Jonson Clarke-Harris and Richie Towell secured a comfortable win for the Millers on a chilly night in West Yorkshire.
Warne took the opportunity to play a number of youngsters, alongside some senior professionals, with the Millers chief acknowledging that he was thoroughly pleased all around after an impressive overall display.
“My overall assessment is one of pride,” Warne told iFollow Millers after the game.
“I am proud of the group. I thought that my senior pros attacked the game with the gung ho attitude that I wanted them to. They did really well and that started with the two at the front.
“I thought that we were worthy winners. I think we could have won by more, but to come away with a clean sheet and a win will have put a smile on some faces. I think it was a really good workout for a number of my players.”
Warne gave high praise to the likes of Akeem Hinds and Ben Wiles who continued to impress in the embryonic stages of their career, but he also singled out his wide men, and Brighton loanee Towell, who gained vital minutes in preparation for Saturday’s South Yorkshire derby against Doncaster Rovers.
“I think Fordey (Anthony Forde) needed a game, and that will give him some belief,” he added.
“I thought that Tayls (Jon Taylor) was good, and he knocked some cobwebs away with that performance. The two up top were a handful, they played really well. Richie Towell and Ben Wiles were impressive in midfield.
“I said to the young lads after the game that if they wanted a career in football then they need to look at the seniors here. Richie Towell didn’t want to come off. I asked him, but he said he’d rather play. I thought his attitude right until the final whistle was outstanding. I thought that he deserved more than the one goal.”