Paul Warne talks to iFollow Millers ahead of the trip to Burton Albion...
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was on iFollow Millers duty ahead of the trip to Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium for this weekend's Sky Bet League One game on Saturday.
Warne spoke to the club about the excellent performance at Shrewsbury Town in midweek, how Clark Robertson and Richard Wood impressed in defence and the day he began his managerial journey with the Millers at Burton in 2016/17, with full video content available shortly HERE on iFollow Millers…
Warne on dominant performance at Shrewsbury Town…
“I'm pleased. We've been good in parts of all the games really but that was the best we've been on the whole.
“I don't know if the club have ever scored two in the first couple of minutes.
“We try and prepare the lads to play as well as they can. Some weeks they'll create loads of chances and take them and some weeks they won't, they're just human.”
Warne on Vassell’s first goal in Millers colours…
“It’s his first goal of the season and his first goal since he's been here.
“He's been really good and it suits him with a three up front.
“He gets it, possibly better than the rest of them and he's like a mini-captain for me up there.”
Warne on potentially facing Sheffield Wednesday in Round Two…
“It's more about winning games for us. If it happens to be Sheffield Wednesday at home great. I honestly think they are considerably better than they were last year. “
Warne on Robertson’s left back display and Richard Wood’s return to action…
“I thought he played really well. Joe Mattock has been struggling with a bit of a rib injury.
“It also allowed Woody to play, who I thought was excellent. Robbo has a great feel of the game and I think he was a big part of us controlling the game really.
“It will be hard for a lot of them to get in if the team wins 4-0 and they play as well as they did on Tuesday night.
“It's the lads' responsibility to get in the team. If you've lost your shirt you have to fight to get it back.”
Warne on Carlton Morris’ head injury…
“I think the concussion protocol is a great addition to the game but frustrating from a manager's point of view.
“He'll have 14 days of no contact now.”
Warne’s update on Billy Jones’ injury…
“He trained at the gym in the hotel on Tuesday and I believe he's going to join us on the grass in a couple of hours.”
Warne’s memories from maiden managerial outing at Burton Albion…
“My memories are of being an emotional wreck. When I look back now, I look back differently with a bit of pride. The lads gave me everything they could.
“I believed, naively, that we would win and when we didn't my brain couldn't comprehend it. I look back now with a smile on my face.
“I’ve learned you have to try and step back from it a little bit.”
Warne on Burton Albion’s current side and style…
“I’ve always liked them and I've always liked Nigel. His teams produce results regularly and he has quite rightly been the manager there for a long period of time.
“In fairness to them, they lost to a deflected shot against Ipswich. They'll see us as a chance to get their home season going. They'll be desperate to win, as will we.”
Warne hoping healthy fan following inspires Millers…
“They are a massive part of it.
“When we warmed up at Wimbledon, Rich [Barker] came in from the warm-up and told me the noise we could hear from inside was our fans and not the home fans.
“It gives you an extra 10 percent out on the pitch.”