Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Paul Warne hopes that the togetherness of his squad will give his side the best possible chance of success in the League One run-in, as they finalise their preparations for Saturday’s South Yorkshire showdown with Doncaster Rovers.
The Millers manager stressed during his summer and winter window recruitment that the personality of any new additions was of paramount importance and he believes the recent run has been aided by the closeness of his players.
Speaking ahead of the hosting of Darren Ferguson’s side, Warne reiterated his opinion that the Millers 13-game unbeaten streak has been in no small part down to the bond within the camp.
“The thing is, they get closer when they win,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“They reap the rewards for their hard work and they're on a really good run at the moment which is great. Even if they have a dip I just think they'll dig themselves back out of it.
“I've harped on loads of time about human beings and togetherness and I think if you have a together group, you could go and sign a wonder player, who might improve you but it might affect the group
“There's no real superstars in this team, they're all of a similar ilk. There's no big-timers at all which is nice and they're a really close group.
“They're determined to win every game but I think that has come based on the players that we have recruited and added.”
Warne continued to draw comparisons between the current side and his own playing days at the club under then-boss Ronnie Moore and is hopeful that he can recreate the dressing room environment that saw a number of key players, including the likes of Richie Barker and Mike Pollitt enjoy prolonged stints with the club.
“We were really close, all the wives were close and the lads were close,” he said of his former teammates.
“That was done over time, it wasn't like that instantaneously after six months. It was done because the majority of the team stayed together for a few years.
“It should be the majority of the same players here next year and we'll add onto it.
“I think if you can keep your best players for two or three years they get stronger and you add to that. That's the way I see it.”