David Ball talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United hitman David Ball says the Easter weekend fixtures are likely to be a good marker for him and his teammates for their final standing in Sky Bet League One at the end of the season.
Speaking ahead of the clash with his former club Peterborough United on Good Friday, Ball explained that the close proximity of Posh and Easter Monday’s opponents Charlton Athletic in the third tier table mean that there is added incentive to collect points, as Warne’s side look to firm up their place in the Play-off shakeup.
The 28-year-old reiterated that everyone in the Millers camp is aware of the magnitude of the upcoming clashes, as they look to put Saturday’s defeat at Southend United behind them.
“All the lads know how important this weekend can be,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“In past seasons you usually see it come down to around the Easter weekend to see where you want to be.
“They are kind of six points games in terms of looking at these being teams that want to get into the Play-offs. If we can get a win on Friday it will give us a breather in the sense of Peterborough catching us and again, a win at Charlton could help us to see them off as well.”
Ball continued to explain that he felt that the experience of Chris Powell’s Southend side gave them the advantage at Roots Hall on a tricky pitch, but was quick to add that the Millers players had been properly briefed ahead of the trip to Essex.
“The manager and staff did set us up with the pitch in mind and we didn't play it like they did. I think a little bit of experience was telling in that game,” he explained.
“Every game that you go into in this division is different in terms of what you come up against.
“We saw that on Saturday with the pitch and teams come at you wanting to play different ways but I certainly think we're back at home again on the back of two away games, so we hope to take some points out of the next games in quick succession and be where we want to be.”
Meanwhile, Saturday’s game at AESSEAL New York Stadium will see Ball come up against his old employers, who have former Millers boss Steve Evans at the helm and the forward is expecting a good game against a club who he remembers fondly.
“Peterborough will certainly come and try to play football and it will be a good match in terms of that and quite an open game,” he continued.
“I had some really good times there.
“I was there for the promotion from League One to the Championship and we stayed up the following year, so I had a good time there. It was Darren Ferguson in charge at the time and it's actually how I knew Newelly and Frecks before I came here.”