Paul Warne speaks to iFollow Millers ahead of the visit of Leeds...
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was on iFollow Millers duty this week ahead of the visit of Leeds United...
Below are the key topics and highlights from the interview, with full video content available shortly HERE on iFollow Millers…
Warne’s transfer window update…
“There's developments all the time but what I can say is limited. I'm hopeful of getting someone through the door. We've met an attacking player. We were completely honest and transparent and told him what we're trying to do and now it's in the negotiation phase we're hoping we can get it over the line.
"We've got another few on the hook so to speak. We've got Crooksy in but we're hopeful of getting another two in, which would help us for the last four months of the season.
“There's loads of stages. One big part for us is that they have to be right and they have to fit the dressing room. Even if we meet them and we like each other there are a lot of other factors involved.
"We're trying to improve the squad and that's what we'll endeavour to do for the next seven days.
On discussions about Richie Towell’s situation…
“We want to take him permanently but I don’t think it's going to happen. I might be wrong and I'll have him in my office after this interview and see if I can find out.
"I just can't see it happening as I talk now. If that is the case and he stays until the end of the season then we'll revisit it when he's out of contract in the summer.
"It's no massive drama, I did want it to happen but if it doesn't it isn't through lack of trying from our part."
Team news ahead of the weekend…
“We've got a few out and some illness in the camp. We don't really know who is available and who isn't as you're recording this.
“Vass is a little fitter than he was last week. Semi and Robbo have picked up injuries. And Towelly has been ill. Crooksy has got a sore groin.
“It's always like that in the middle of the week and it sometimes clears up towards the back end.
“We have curbed training down a little bit because we need full energy for Saturday.
“Willo should be available for training in about a week and a half's time.
“I think you just pick up injuries at this time of year, it happens at every club.
“It's good news on Vass. You want as many attacking players as possible but he's still not 100%. He's managing his pain and hopefully he doesn't have to go under the knife.
“Pottsy is seeing a surgeon down south this afternoon and hopefully he gets the clear to get back out on the grass.”
On Yorkshire derby with Leeds United…
“It's definitely a challenge. Leeds have been unbelievable this year and have shown their probably the best team in the League. They sometimes have five up top and cause teams no end of problems.
“Stoke at the weekend played five at the back and had less than 30% possession against them.”
“The lads played really well at Leeds and they can take confidence from that. I didn't think we were great for the majority of the game against Brentford but we've been good before that.
Importance of home fans in generating a derby day atmosphere…
“It'll be a sell-out and an exciting day.
“I've said loads of times when the fans sell out the away end the atmosphere is brilliant. One of our best performances at home was Sheffield United.
“More often than not, when it's a full house the game lives up to it.”
“I've been banging the drum about how important our home support is. The thing with Zak is a minority and it's not indicative of how our fans are. He loves it here and he's given us is all throughout the season. I don't read too much into it.
“In fairness, what the lads have achieved so far is remarkable. I'm really proud of them. They're my team. Our team.”