Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Paul Warne has been speaking to iFollow Millers ahead of this weekend's hosting of Nottingham Forest at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
He was back at the training ground this morning on iFollow Millers duty to discuss the injury and illness situation at Roundwood, the new recruitment appointments and Michael Smith playing through regardless of his condition...
Remember full video content is available shortly HERE on iFollow Millers…
Warne on returning first team players…
“I've got Robbo back, will is back, Joe Mattock is ill but hopefully he'll be back. Smudger has shaken off his illness.
“A few of the lads have come through the ressies game the other day.
“We should have been better than what we were at Derby but Zak wasn’t well and we missed Smudge.
“Joe [Mattock] isn’t training today, he isn't in the building. I haven't seen Zak yet, I think he's training but I think he's still struggling a little bit.
“We were missing Will and Joe Mattock gives us a bit of balance.
“In fairness to Derby, their quality definitely shone through. We've reset the lads last week and we're hoping to put it right.”
Warne on Robertson injury…
“Because it was a hamstring injury we always go on the side of caution.
“He trained Monday and played an hour on Tuesday and he'll be in contention for the weekend.”
Warne on Smith taking a place on the bench last weekend…
“Smudger could barely stand up so it was more psychological warfare putting him on the bench, so we could get them wondering if he would come on.
“He's played with a broken foot, different ankle issues and allsorts but unfortunately, there aren't many players in the world that can play when they can't breathe.
“I think it happens with a lot of players, you don't realise how important they are until you don't have them. He's a big miss, as was Will and Joe Mattock.”
Warne on Vassell…
“He came through [the reserve game] OK.
“I don't think he's in a shape where he could start the game Saturday. With seven games left we need to pick up wins and we need firepower on the bench.”
Warne on Darren Potter completing 90 reserve minutes and chances of him featuring for the first team before the end of the season…
“I was hugely impressed. I thought he was the outstanding player on the pitch.
“His football isn't in question, he could play for the reserves until he's 50. Hopefully he can kick on from here and cause me a selection problem before the end of the season.
“He seems to be ticking all the boxes. It would be amiss of me to say he couldn't potentially play a part.
“I think him and Procs have been a massive miss for us. Both have a big influence in the dressing room, both are winners on the pitch.”
Warne on Vaulks’ suspension and whether he’ll go straight back into the team…
“It helped us really, him getting the international call-up. The team prior to the Derby game have done well without him.
“We have a few options in the middle of the park and Will is one we will obviously strongly consider.
“There isn't a lot between any of the midfield lads. They all perform to a level 99 percent of the time.”
Warne on the appointments of Rob Scott and Chris Trotter to the recruitment…
“Rob is well-aware of how the club works, he lives locally.
“It's not easy recruiting. I think those two are really motivated, good individuals who will try and help us recruit.
“We can polish them up and put sugar on them, but the raw materials have to be there.
“They’re going to have to work hard and expand their search abroad in my opinion. I speak to Rob quite a lot. Hopefully in the summer we can stock any holes we've left vacated.
“My theory hasn't changed on the whole recruitment for this football team. I think there should be a core that are here for a long time, I don't like 20 players out, 20 players in.
“I'm more enthusiastic about getting a couple of different things in.
“It's the recruitment team's job to get better players in than the ones we lose.”
Warne on position of players currently set to be out of contract at the end of the season…
“In fairness, as it stands at the moment, we're not sure what league we'll be in.
“I understand the players’ positions a little bit, they're a bit tentative to put their flags to the masts.”
Warne on challenge of facing Nottingham Forest…
“They're hugely motivated at the moment and definitely playing for their manager. They don't play a completely different way to us.
“They have real energy throughout the team and they've got a goal threat whether they play Grabban or Murphy.
“They've got physicality but a bit of class as well.
“We'll go into the game on Saturday really confident we can get three points.
“[Their] Style of play has changed a little bit but the players on the pitch haven't changed that much. They like to attack and get crosses in.”