Ben Wiles talks to www.themillers.co.uk..
Rotherham United Academy graduate Ben Wiles insists he is thriving on the opportunity of regular Championship football with his hometown club.
The 19-year-old, who has burst onto the scene this season after impressing Paul Warne in reserve and youth outings previously, has established himself as one of the club’s senior midfielders in recent months featuring regularly in January.
Wiles reiterated his desire to go toe-to-toe against even the toughest opposition with his assured showing against Manchester City’s star-studded outfit in the Emirates FA Cup but believes he has more to offer as he continues to develop at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity by the manager. I take every game as it comes and it give it my all in every single one of them,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“It's been a massive jump from the youth team to playing Championship football. I'm still working because I still need to be better in areas. I can still get sharper and I need to keep with runners better at times.
“Playing in the Championship it's a good standard. It's quick-paced and I'm trying in training every day to get better.”
With a number of experienced operators competing with the youthful Wiles for a place in the Millers’ engine room, the Rawmarsh-based midfielder explains that chances were hard to come by as he looked to prove his worth to boss Warne in the early stages of the campaign, but was thrilled to see his efforts behind-the-scenes rewarded with opportunities on matchdays.
“You just have to wait your turn and bide your time. You have to focus on training and that's how you get your chance because you have to show the Gaffer how much you want it,” he continued.
“I think that's shown in my good performances so far and the Gaffer has been willing to keep me in the team because he thinks I've been doing well and I'm enjoying it.
“Everyone gives me good feedback and really encourages me. That positive feedback helps me to keep pushing along.”
Meanwhile, the youngster, who has been registered with the Millers since the U9 age group, took time to credit first team/development coach Matt Hamshaw for his continued investment in his path to regular first team football.
“He really takes a good role in trying to make me the best I can be,” Wiles explained.
“Every opportunity he gets to pull me aside and tell me little areas in which I can improve he does and I realise when I've thought about it that he's right. I've been taking his advice on board and things have paid off.
“I just want to try and get through as many games as I can and get minutes under my belt.
“Every game is important for us and I mean every single one. We're going to go into them all with a positive mentality and go out to win them. The games coming up will be no different and we'll give it our best and hopefully pick up some positive results.”