Anthony Forde talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
In-form winger Anthony Forde is understandably enjoying his football and his recent performances have seen him become a mainstay in Paul Warne’s side, playing a pivotal role in the club’s superb 14 game unbeaten run.
The Irishman, who has jostled for position on the flanks with the likes of Jon Taylor, Ryan Williams and Joe Newell since the season began, has cemented his place in the side in recent weeks with a number of industrious showings which have also allowed him to display great technical ability in opposition territory.
The former Walsall and Wolves midfielder believes everyone within the camp is profiting from the spirit engulfing the players at the club’s training base at Roundwood, crediting Millers boss Paul Warne for the mood at the club.
"The manager has been brilliant. He gives you confidence all the time and backs everyone up,” Forde explained.
“There is not one person in the team that doesn't get on with the next person. It is a really good group and you need that to be successful. The staff, coaches, everyone at the club - they have been really helpful and that shows on the pitch.
"I am enjoying my football at the moment. The run of games I have been getting recently has been great for me. Playing in a good side, playing with confidence and winning games - it can't get any better than that. It has been a great feeling. I'd say it is the best form I have shown. We have played a lot of games recently, your match sharpness comes back, and from that I feel more confident. I feel really good at the moment.
"I was in and out of the team at the start of the season. I think after the Blackpool game, which was a massive win for us, the team didn't change too much. It has become settled, but then when the subs have come on, they have been brilliant. That makes a huge impact on the games as well. The team not changing too much, and then finding some consistency, that has really helped.”
Forde continued to explain that the Millers are emulating and exceeding the form shown by his teammates during his time at the Banks’s Stadium which saw the Saddlers claim a place in the Play-offs, but insists the foot will remain on the gas between now and the final game of the season.
"Two years ago when I was at Walsall, we were in and around the top three for most of the season,” he continued.
“Even then we didn't go on as good a run as this. At the moment it feels great, but there are still games to go so we will take it as it comes. We are adjusted well in games and how teams play and that's credit to the staff as well for preparing us well for games. We don't just turn up and play, they get us ready properly.
"We have to just keep winning games. It is getting really tight, and you don't know where it might take you. Cementing a play-off place is the aim, but if teams drop off in front of us and we keep winning then it might get interesting.
Amidst fears that the departures of club captain Lee Frecklington and top scorer Kieffer Moore could cause the Millers to be knocked out of their stride, the 24-year-old also took time to hail the January arrival of Michael Smith, who he believes has been an excellent replacement.
"We lost Kieffer and Frecks and they were two big players for us,” he admitted.
“We had some new faces come in and they have done really well. Michael Smith has come in and he has been brilliant for us. He has played to a very high standard in every game he has played so far. With those two leaving, it hasn't really affected us so far because of the impact of the guys coming in.
“We have maybe got better because they came in during a time when confidence was high and we were winning games. Kieffer was on fire when he was here, we didn't want to lose him but it happened, but we dealt with it really well and we are fine so we will keep doing what we are doing.”