Rotherham United first team/development coach Matt Hamshaw was on iFollow Millers duty this week ahead of the trip to Ipswich Town.
Below are the key topics and highlights from the interview, with full video content available shortly HERE on iFollow Millers…
Reflective thoughts on Manchester City defeat…
"They're exceptional aren't they? It sounds ridiculous, you know what they're going to do, but you can't stop it. The manager said that they're one of the best in the business and that was proven again last night.
"We always debrief and watch and look at things that we can improve. We had a good meeting after the game on Sunday and I know the manager has spoken about what we've learned from it. On Monday we showed them again areas in which they can improve and things we need to work on.
"All-in-all it was a good all-round learning experience, which sounds a bit crazy after a 7-0 defeat."
Hamshaw discusses Kyle Vassell’s return to training following his spell on the sidelines…
"He's started back this week and that's good news. The more bodies we can get out there the better. We were struggling a bit at Man City with a couple injured in the warm-up, which people were probably unaware of.
"Kyle coming back is a huge boost. He'd just got into his international team and was doing reasonably well. It's disappointing for him but now he's back it's great for us to have him in the squad.
"He seems happy with how he feels, he knows it will be a path to get back up to speed but he's shown in pre-season and the early parts of the season that he likes hard work. He's a resilient lad and it should for him be quicker a recovery than it would for a lot of people."
"We can't say which game specifically that he'll be fit to play in but he feels good and that's encouraging."
Wiles’ continued progress in the first team setup…
"He's done really well, I've openly put on paper and in interviews what I think of Ben. He has an outstanding future in front of him. He's going to have drop-offs as all young players do. It might be three or four games where we have to bring him out, but we have a good squad.
"It's been encouraging for him but we need to make sure that every week players are on it. He's been almost like a new signing for us."
Hamshaw gives an update on the team news and players currently on the treatment table…
"Joe Newell is struggling. He's got a tight groin. He probably won't be available for selection this weekend. Other than that, we have people coming back.
"Richie [Towell] has been a big player for us and he drives training on, the sooner he is back the better.
"Billy [Jones] is fine and available for selection. He just felt a little niggle which does happen and we kept him out as a precaution at Man City.
"[Darren Potter] It's hard to put a specific date on it, as we don't want to put pressure on him or the physios but he's progressing well. He's been working extremely hard behind the scenes and he comes in with a smile on his face. He'll be another good body if we can get him up to speed quickly.
"Jamie [Proctor] is struggling. He could be a long-term again, which is disappointing for everybody. He's been for some tests and the actual damage is worse that what we first thought it would be. He won't be in our thinking certainly short term and potentially it could be a really bad one, we'll know more about it further down the line."
An update on the club’s early efforts in the January transfer window…
"Every week since we came into this job we've been watching players. We've been at three games this week. We've handed our list of targets in and that changes on a secondly basis, never mind daily or weekly.
"It is early and there is a little bit of activity but what people might not understand is that things tend to move late on. Managers tend to hang on to players until the last minute.
"It's a domino effect that comes from the top and works all the way down the leagues. A team in the Championship could sign a striker, which eventually ends up with a National League team getting their target.
"In terms of loans, you can't bring someone in telling them they're going to make a massive impact and then be left out of the squad. We're not those people, I think that is poor recruitment. You end up with an unhappy camp. I know from the outside people want us to get players in but everybody knows in their line of work that sometimes too many can spoil it. We need to up our quality, we understand that, and we're working tirelessly to do that."
Hamshaw explains defender Ben Purrington’s situation after he joined Charlton Athletic…
"It's a fantastic opportunity. He's a great lad and he's probably unfortunate in that Joe Mattock has been outstanding, which has limited his game time. He wants to play. He's done well at Wimbledon and he's caught the eye of Charlton. It's a great move for him and it suits him."
Looking ahead to the weekend’s game at Ipswich Town…
"They're a good team, as everyone is in this league. I know people look at the table and say we should be going there with the target to win. We will be doing that, but it is difficult. They've got good players. Anyone that saw the game earlier in the season probably saw a first half which saw us get dominated for the majority. These lads always show that work, energy and enthusiasm and always stay in a game. We'll be setting up to get a positive result."
The full interviews, plus much more, available on iFollow Millers shortly...