Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was on press duty ahead of his side’s trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.
The Millers will go into the Roses clash looking to build on an impressive victory over Bristol City at the weekend, but the manager is under no illusions of the threats posed by a strong Rovers side.
Also on the agenda for Warne were topics including Saturday’s 2-0 success over the Robins, the performance of his wing-backs and team news ahead of clash with Blackburn. You can read the manager’s press highlights ahead of the fixture below…
Warne on Saturday’s win over Bristol City…
“I thought we played really well, and we were very pleased from the first to the last whistle. We had plenty attempts at goal, we did everything we could, and I felt we were as good as we can be, so we’re really pleased with the lads, as we are most weeks.
“We have been through a bit of a sticky wicket, but that result will give them no end of confidence. I think our home performances have been really good. We underperformed in both the Coventry and Watford games, so Saturday felt a little bit more like us.
“I have a massive belief in my staff and players. I’ve seen little pockets in our games where we’ve done well. I think as most managers would say, we were the width of a post away a couple of times and on the end of a few bad penalty decision here and there. I think we’ve been a little unlucky, in the games we’ve played I think we’ve only underperformed in a couple.
“Thankfully on Saturday, everything that could go right did go right, like I said it’ll give the lads confidence going into the next few games, which are coming thick and fast.”
Warne on his player’s ability to take on new information amid a packed fixture schedule…
“They have always trained really well, and they’ve always been good learners in the classroom. Obviously, when you win football matches driving into work is a lot nicer than it is the other way round, and it is a really nice feeling to win games.
“We work just as hard, even when we lose. We know that we are judged on the 90 minutes and if the lads perform as well as we know they can we should have a really good season. There are a few teams in this league that have got five or six games without a win and it is all about sticking together and the results will come.”
Warne on the performances of Matt Olosunde and Ben Wiles against Bristol City…
“I always speak highly of my players, but I think Ben (Wiles) is right up there and his performance on Saturday was pretty outstanding. He marked their biggest threat out of the game and drove the team forward I felt, so I was really pleased with his display.
“In fairness to him, he’s worth about three players in this squad because he can play in that many different positions. I was really pleased with Ben and I think Matt Olosunde on the other side was really good as well. It worked well at the weekend and hopefully if they get selected again, they can perform to the same level.”
Warne on team news…
“Mickel Miller has trained today and yesterday, he is still a little bit jaded though, so I wouldn’t say he’s at 100% but he will definitely be in the squad. Trevor (Clarke) damaged his back in training yesterday, he trained today but we had to pull him out, so he’s a huge doubt for tomorrow’s game. It’s disappointing for Trev, but hopefully he’ll be okay for the weekend.”
Warne on Blackburn Rovers…
“They are very dangerous and I think they are second in expected goals this season. They create a lot of chances, especially for Adam Armstrong, who is probably the most in-form player in the league at present. They have him, Harvey Elliott and Sam Gallagher upfront which is possibly the best front three in the league.
“They have a good midfield and defence and are doing well this season. I definitely think they will finish in the top 10 and there are a lot of good teams fighting for a top 10 spot. Overall, I think they’ve done very well, they lost narrowly to Norwich and Bristol City recently, so will be desperate to turn their form around against us at home and I think they are very formidable team in this league.”