Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Paul Warne insists he and his team are prepared for the ups and downs that they will undoubtedly face on the Sky Bet Championship rollercoaster ride between now and the end of the 2018/19 campaign, as they look to preserve their second tier status.
Warne’s men were narrowly edged out by table-topping Norwich City in their last match action, in a display that arguably warranted more.
The game against the Canaries was not their only indication of their recently improved-form though, with their first away win of the season preceding that clash on Wednesday night against Queens Park Rangers.
The Millers manager says he will look to maintain the morale within the camp between now and the season finale on 5th May and is hopeful of accumulating points sooner rather than later in the club’s quest for second tier survival.
“We'll try and keep everyone upbeat, there will be some twists and turns and some disappointments along the way, but there will also be some joy,” Warne told www.themillers.co.uk.
“Hopefully the sooner we can collect enough points, the better.
“I know that we lost against Norwich, but we have been playing well, so if we can pick three or four wins up in our last eight games then that would be pretty phenomenal - it might be enough, it might not but it won't be through the lack of trying or effort from everyone at the club.”
Warne continued to add that the international break provided some much needed respite for his players, who will benefit from some downtime as a result of their industrious approach to matches.
The Millers boss concluded by explaining that Saturday’s opponents will be equally grateful for the break in the fixtures as both look forward to the clash at Pride Park this weekend.
“The break has come at a good time, as it has though for every other team,” Warne explained.
“I'm sure Derby will be thinking the same, they'll probably have Mason Mount back, and it does allow now many of the clubs to go full strength now for the last eight games. We are no different.
“We look pretty good overall, we have been pretty strong in the middle of the pitch. We haven't got Joe Mattock available, but Billy Jones did really well at left-back, as did Zak Vyner at right-back”