Paul Warne speaks to iFollow Millers ahead of the trip to Hull City....
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was on iFollow Millers duty ahead of the midweek trip to Hull City in the Sky Bet Championship.
Warne spoke to the club regarding the returning Ryan Williams and how other injuries are progressing, here he talks about the game with the Tigers, with full video content available shortly HERE on iFollow Millers…
On 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic…
“I thought we were good first half and we limited Wigan to one opportunity which they took. I thought we were on the front foot. We didn't get as many first contacts as we should have done from throw-ins and we'll look at that today.
“In fairness, they finished stronger than us and they looked more likely to score than us. I was disappointed with a few penalty decisions.
“A point on a Sunday morning feels better than none.
“We need to take our chances when we create them. We need to be more forceful in attacking areas. Sometimes we need to be more cunning in the box.
“From the last two games I feel like we should be four points better off.”
On selection options ahead of the trip to Hull City…
“I think all my subs are there on merit and there are people who can't get on the bench, like Matty Palmer, who I still think the world of.
“Robbo is sore today, his ankle has swollen up and we'll see how he is in the next four hours.”
On Ryan Williams…
“Most of my team is back. Willo is back for tomorrow night which gives us a bit more pace on the pitch.
“He's good. He trained with us last week. The Physios told me not to get too excited even though he had trained and not use him at the weekend.
“Potentially I can start with him and he's got the bit between the teeth.
“His fitness levels are through the roof as always. He's done a lot of running before he joined back in with the group.
On Kyle Vassell’s injury situation…
“I just received a text from him. He's in London with Gilps [Stephen Gilpin] to see what the next course of action is.
“I've had a chat with him, I know how important he is to us. I had a pretty emotional chat with him after the ressies showing him some clips with how well he was moving at the start of the season. If I have to go without him to get him back to his best then I will do.”
On how soon Darren Potter can return to reserve action…
“I thought pretty soon, but the physios say about four weeks. He hasn't run for about a year. With any luck it'll be really soon. We don't have many 'natural' sitting midfielders. Semi has improved in that position but there's only him and Pottsy that can play there really.”
On Joe Newell’s impact from the bench recently…
“In fairness, most of the great games in my tenure, Newelly has played a massive part in. He is a great sub, but he's a great player that is good enough for a place in the team.
“He knows me really well, I'm close to him and I think the world of him. I know we've had a chat about potentially playing him as a 10. Over the next few weeks we might see him in a couple of different positions.”
On the upcoming Tuesday night clash with Hull City…
“They’ve been on a great run. They're a formidable team with pace throughout.
“They're really good out wide and that's where I see their strength. I really like the manager, he's a really upbeat positive guy. Even in times of trouble he kept positive with the group and stayed with them. I really rate them as a team. We go there knowing if we want to get anything we have to be at our best.
“We'll look at the fatigue tests and see where we are. I know in my head what we're going to do, but I'm not going to tell you. I used to hate it as a player when I was 'rested’.”