Ryan Williams talks to www.themillers.co.uk..
It is fair to say that the majority of football coaches will base their managerial philosophy by leaning on their experiences as a player.
Millers chief Paul Warne was a key component of the Rotherham United side, under legendary manager Ronnie Moore, which earned back-to-back promotions to take their place in the Championship alongside the likes of West Ham United and Manchester City.
Many Rotherham United followers will remember Warne, the player, as not being the most aesthetically pleasing on the eye from a technical point of view, but one that was a constant pest for opposition defenders, with his willingness and ability to run himself into the ground for the team cause.
Much in the mould of his playing career, Warne has made no secret of his desire to evolve the Millers playing style into a more dynamic, high up the pitch pressure game and the current player, who probably best embodies that new approach is Australian midfielder Ryan Williams.
Williams has become an instant hit with the ‘Red and White Army’ with his incisive raids down the right flank while showing his keen eye for a defence-splitting pass with a number of assists, including the match winning one for Jon Taylor, during the crucial away victory at Portsmouth.
Speaking to www.themillers.co.uk Williams believes his style is systematic of the principles that Warne is looking to instil in all of his first-team squad, by insisting the Millers gaffer has a plethora of playing options in every position.
"Something I have been known for is my energy,” Williams stressed.
"I'm a player who likes to change it up a lot. I'm more of an inside winger than outside. I can do both but I'm finding myself more in the pockets, in the middle of the pitch than trying to get to the by-line to get crosses in. I've never been a winger to get to the by-line and get crosses in.
“It's my job, to get up, down, sideways, whatever. A lot of our players can do that and it gives the manager a selection headache, which is always a good thing.
“This keeps us on our toes. We know we need to perform or otherwise your spot will be taken. When we get the chance to start, you've really got to take it.”
The winger has been one of a host of new additions into Warne’s squad in the close season, and after dismissing the notion that his side may suffer from a Championship hangover following the disappointing nature of last year’s campaign, the 23-year-old insists that there is an air of positivity surrounding the Millers camp at the moment.
“It's one of the best groups I have been with,” Williams enthused.
“Everyone is hungry to improve and they are all genuinely nice people. This always helps when you are a new player coming into the group. Everyone seems to bounce off each other and it's a really good environment to be in.
"There are a lot of new players. It's a new, fresh side so no-one looks at what happened last year, or the year before that. We just want to go out and win every game whether it's home or away. We're not really focusing on what the club have done previously. We are here because we want the club higher up the league. We are just trying to win every game possible.”
Williams is no stranger of the League One scene after being part of the Barnsley squad, which achieved promotion two years ago. After tasting life in the Championship at Oakwell last term, the Australian, when asked to compare, explained that players have less time on the ball in England’s third tier- although they have may have a little more margin for error given the quality of Championship strikers in particular.
"It means you have to be aware of what is around you and play one/two touch,” Williams added.
“I spent a lot of time in League One before with Barnsley, initially on loan, so I know the league. It is very different to the Championship, there is less football played but it's still enjoyable. If you make a mistake in League One, they maybe won't capitalise on it but more often than not in the Championship they do.”