Paul Warne post-Bristol City...
MILLERS boss Paul Warne was quick to praise the fighting spirit of his nine-man Millers side, who came within a whisker of earning a share of the spoils, at Bristol City until Adam Webster broke their resistance with a late header.
The Millers looked on course to add to their points haul, after having the better of the Ashton Gate affair, for large spells, but their hopes of securing their first Championship away win on the road were undermined when firstly recalled defender Billy Jones was red-carded, just after the hour mark, following two yellow cards before Richie Towell, soon joined him for an early bath, after a reckless tackle on Josh Brownhill.
Speaking to the assembled press corps afterwards, Warne admitted that his side’s inability to keep 11 men on the pitch proved decisive in the end, despite a backs-to-the-wall display against Lee Johnson’s play-off chasing outfit.
“I thought we were excellent. We created some good chances in the first half,” Warne enthused.
“I thought our game plan was really good but obviously the sending-offs changed the game but when it was 11 v 11, we were the better team.
“It’s disappointing that we conceded from a cross but on another day, we could have got a draw and they could have come away as heroes and I’m disappointed for them because I thought they deserved that.
“The best way to sum up the game was that the ball went out in the 93rd minute of the game and their fans did not want to give it back to us.”
Despite the heart breaking nature of the late reversal, Warne was heartened by his side’s display, by remarking that his side are confident of sparking a reversal of fortunes, in the New Year’s Day hosting of Preston North End, despite falling into the bottom three.
“We have got a good group. They are really positive about their performance today and so they should be,” Warne insisted.
“I want them to go home and be proud of what they tried to do and get confidence from it. Their performance was excellent and it’s disappointing not to come away with anything.
“They’ll be tired obviously, but they will lick their wounds as we have a big game on Tuesday.
“I would love to have a full echelon of players available but I won’t cry about it, as it gives an opportunity to other players to start. I’m not overly concerned about that.”