Paul Warne post-Sheffield United...
Paul Warne reflected on his side’s performance after a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
A stoppage-time equaliser from Jamie Proctor meant the honours were even in the South Yorkshire derby, and it was the least the Millers deserved.
“Well I think first and foremost I thought it was a really good game,” said Millers manager Warne. “A neutral would have loved it. Both teams were trying to win the game in their own way. My lads were definitely deserving of a draw at least. It was an exciting end.
“I think that’s why people come and watch football because of the excitement it brings. I don’t think we could say it wasn’t exciting.”
Despite dominating the early stages, Mark Duffy gave the Blades the lead and Jon Taylor equalised for the home side in the second-half. But the busier of the two goalkeepers was Dean Henderson.
“In fairness, it’s what the goalkeeper’s there for,” continued Warne. “In the same way, I think Marek would have made them. I thought those two goalkeepers were the best in League One by a country mile last season. His saves didn’t surprise me, what does surprise me is that Semi got his header on target!
“We could have won it but because the goal was so late on, a draw sort of feels a little bit like a win. The lads can take confidence from it.
“I know it was on telly on all that malarkey, I’ve always had real confidence in this group. I keep saying we’re a good team with good players and do really well. This game will probably cement a bit more confidence.”
Chris Basham restored United’s lead after Taylor’s leveller, but substitute Jamie Proctor popped up with a fine leveller three minutes into stoppage-time.
“Their goal was a really well-worked goal,” Warne added. “I can’t criticise our lads for that. Even if we’d have lost 2-1, there’d have been no shame for us. You can’t guarantee a result but you can ask for a performance. Today we got a result and a performance. We’re well pleased. The lads stick together and the subs went on and had an impact. A win would have been pretty amazing but we’ll take a draw.
“Having a draw when you get up on a Sunday morning is better than a defeat. But it’s not like we set out, sit behind the ball and don’t try and do anything. We try and score all the time and the lads are doing everything they possibly can to win games.
“I’ve been saying for a few weeks now that our performances deserve more points. Today is another opportunity where we could have got two more but I’m not being greedy.”