Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was on press duties ahead of his side’s televised home fixture against Brentford on Tuesday night at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.
Following an excellent performance which earned his side a point against high-flying AFC Bournemouth at the weekend, the Millers boss gave an update on the injury situation, Michael Ihiekwe missing through suspension, the goalscoring form of Freddie Ladapo and the confidence his side can take into the clash with the Bees.
You can read the highlights from his interview below, with video content to follow shortly HERE on iFollow Millers.
Warne on team news…
“We still haven’t made a decision on Woody [Richard Wood] or Matt Olosunde. I am a glass half full kind of person, so if we can get both through it would be good news, but I honestly don’t know at this point.
“Icky [Michael Ihiekwe] being suspended obviously puts a bit of extra pressure on and we’ve got some big long term injuries. I think Icky’s best game of the season was on Saturday, so he’s pretty disappointed to miss out, it’s a blow but they aren’t all going to play every minute of the season, so we’ve got to get on with it.
“We’re asking the lads to play on full tilt for 90 minutes and if anyone watched us against Bournemouth at the weekend, the lads left nothing on the pitch.
"There are a few aches and breaks and a few issues that I don't want to tell you about, but we have got a few problems."
Warne on switching to a 3-5-2 system against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday…
“We did it for Bournemouth because they attack with the five channels, a little like Manchester City, we thought out of possession having five at the back would potentially nullify them a little bit more, but also enable us to play with two up front.
“The whole success of the system was down to the three in midfield, who were very impressive and athletic. I like playing with wingers, but at the moment I only have two available, so 3-5-2 is suitable to us with the players that we have available at the moment. We just have to look at every game independently, they are coming thick and fast, whether we revisit that or not, we shall wait and see.”
Warne on Ladapo's recent goalscoring exploits...
"He gets himself into the best goalscoring opportunities out of all of ours strikers really and he could have had a couple more at QPR and I think I said that.
"I'm really pleased for him to get a brace this weekend. I thought him and Smudge led the line really well and worked hard out of possession of the ball and deserved that bit of luck.
"It was a great run for the first one - I don't know if people can see that.
"He dipped his shoulder pretending he was going round the back and nipped in front and that is what made the goal.
"I think he's done really well. In fairness, I asked him to improve certain parts of his game in the summer and I think he's done that. Out of all the strikers, I think I've possibly played him the most amount of minutes. He knows he has my full backing and respect and he could be a formidable force going forward."
Warne on Brentford test...
"Everyone on this call would be surprised if Brentford don't end up at least in the Play-offs.
"They're really well coached, really well organise and they have a way of playing that everyone is aware of.
"They're dangerous from set pieces and they have got the in-form striker in Toney, who we obviously know about.
"I think they are definitely a top six team and if they can break into the top three then massive kudos to them, because I think they are something else.
Warne on confidence building ahead of a tough run of games...
"I don't think it is the result [that gives us confidence] more the performance.
"We were really pleased with the performance from the first to the last whistle and whatever the scoreline would have been, I would have been proud of them.
"I thought their performance was excellent and they all did their jobs to the letter of the law - none of them underperformed.
"I thought they had a real desire from the start and what makes me prouder really is that they went a goal down and still took the game to them.
"Even when they conceded the equaliser they then went and nearly scored straight away.
"The result is good I suppose but it was the level of the performance which I hope gives the lads no end of confidence to know that they can compete with the best teams in the league."