Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Fans and opposition alike will have stood back and taken notice of the Millers' high-energy style which has helped them embark upon their incredible 11 game unbeaten run, but boss Paul Warne has backed his players' fitness by insisting he won't be forced into making changes ahead of Tuesday night's game with Oxford United.
The Millers have adopted an industrious, pressing approach to their football this season and have reaped the benefits of a gruelling pre-season training camp in Austria, with last gasp victories over the likes of Portsmouth serving as evidence of their fitness.
Following another energetic display which saw the Millers triumph over Scunthorpe at the weekend, Warne insists he doesn’t feel the need to freshen up his side, despite admitting he has a number of players more than capable waiting in the wings.
“If it needs to be done, we will. I've got no problem with it because we've got a great squad but hopefully that won't be the case,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I think I only freshen things up when if there's a need, or it looks a little bit stale, which I don't believe it does at the moment. I think the lads deserve to keep their shirts with the way they are playing but if it does look a little bit stale, I'll freshen it up.
“Alternatively, if someone is carrying something which is a little bit unnecessary, then I'll change it as well. There's a couple of lads who are a little bit sore, but I've said before that you're going to be sore playing a lot of games but you don't want to be out the team, so you have to grit your teeth and get on with it.”
Warne has once again praised the players currently on the fringes of the starting 11 after a superb substitutes’ showing from Ryan Williams ensured the Millers made it over the line in the encounter with the Iron on Saturday, while taking time to explain why new signing Matt Palmer had to settle for a spot on the bench following the return of Richie Towell.
“I explained to Matty why I left him out, but Richie and Will have been playing really well together in there. Matty will be a big part of what we're doing in the future weeks and months and years hopefully,” he continued.
“I just think it's going to take him a little bit longer for him to know what we want from our players and Richie and Will deserve their shirts.”
There could also be more competition to come in the middle of the park, after the experienced Darren Potter set foot on the training pitches for the first time after sustaining an injury before the turn of the year.
“He ran on the grass today and it's the first time that I've seen him properly open his legs which is nice. I'm hopeful that he might train with the squad next week.”