Millers boss Paul Warne was quick to express his pride at his side’s impressive victory over high-flying Ipswich Town, thanks to Matt Crooks’ well-taken double, either side of the interval.
The Millers were good value for their comfortable victory at Portman Road, after Crooks struck early on following a fast start from the hosts before Warne’s side gradually asserted their grip on the proceedings.
Crooks stroked home his second goal, just minutes into the second half, to give the Millers some breathing space and them never looked back, as they came close on a number of occasions, to add further gloss on a polished away performance.
Speaking to the assembled media afterwards, the Millers boss was full of praise for his battling side, who made the long trek home with maximum points after putting the table-topping hosts to the sword.
“I thought we were really good tonight.” Warne enthused.
“Apart from the first five minutes, for the other 85 minutes, we looked the most dangerous and effective team. We created by far the most chances. I don’t think my ‘keeper had a save to make.
“Generally, we played really well tonight and I thought we deserved the win. The lads were brilliant and I’m really proud of them.”
Following the victory, the Millers moved up to ninth position in the Sky Bet League One standings, just one point away from the play-off positions, and Warne admitted that his side showed their true colours in Suffolk, following an off-colour performance against Oxford at the weekend.
Despite Crooks grabbing the headlines for his two-goal salvo, Warne singled out the contribution of frontman Michael Smith, who was a constant thorn for the Tractor Boys’ defence – with a near-perfect forward display.
“To come back from the defeat on Saturday is a good test of character.” Warne added.
“I thought Michael was pretty colossal tonight. We have two good strikers on the bench, in Freddie (Ladapo) and Carlton (Morris), who are desperate to play but he won every goal kick and every throw and he won everything. He caused (Chambers) no end of problems. I’m really pleased for him because he’s a good kid but there were a lot of outstanding performances.”