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Club News

READ | Warne's pre-MK Dons press highlights

28 February 2020

Club News

READ | Warne's pre-MK Dons press highlights

28 February 2020

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Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was on press duties with iFollow Millers ahead of the hosting of MK Dons at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday in Sky Bet League One.

The topics discussed included his reflections on the draw with Coventry City, Dan Barlaser's injury situation , the challenge of facing Russell Martin's side and Warne's desire to try and win the third tier title.

You can find video content on iFollow Millers shortly by clicking HERE

 

Warne on hectic Sky Bet League One schedule...

"It has been hectic is the best way to put it.

"We played Tuesday night, came back and watched the game. We've got to do the meeting, train, have another meeting and it is Thursday.

"It is a quick turnaround. In fairness, we're used to it. We play games all the time but apart from Easter week, it is our last midweek game."

 

Warne's Coventry City reflections...

"My thoughts were exactly as they were at full-time which makes a change. Normally my view changes a little bit when I watch it back, but I thought the same.

"I thought we were unbelievable out of possession of the ball and we worked really hard and made it difficult for them to play.

"Second half we didn't play as well or create as many chances as I'd like."

 

Warne on whether he has looked at a points tally he thinks will get the Millers promoted...

"In fairness, I thought when there were 15 games left, that nine wins might have done it even then.

"I haven't really got a points tally, I just think we go into every game as cheesy as it sounds trying to win it.

"Saturday will be no different. The points are worth no more than they were on Tuesday night.

"A point Tuesday night, backing it up with a win on Saturday sounds alright, but a point followed up by losing on Saturday all of a sudden looks worse.

"We just have to keep winning our homes games, which is difficult. We are well-aware of how tough it is."

 

Warne on MK Dons...

"I think MK Dons are in really good form, so they don't come here sitting behind the ball.

"They want to play, they're really expansive and we're going to have to try hard to get the ball from them because they're a possession-based team, who have a real threat.

"He's [Russell Martin] really rubber-stamped the way they want to play and he's been really successful.

"On our pitch Saturday I'm well-aware it will be a really tough game.

 

Warne on the reverse fixture at Stadium:MK...

"First half they absolutely smoked us and we could have been 4-0 down after 20 minutes. 

"If anyone wants to train to be a football manager, they're the moments that you don't want.

"We got them in at half time and took Crooksy and Smudge off which was a bit of a shock in the dressing room possibly, but Freddie and Vass came on and changed the game for us really.

"It was a completely different game second half but it did show how good they were if you do let them have the ball."

 

Warne on Dan Barlaser's injury situation...

"Dan, JJ [Joshua Kayode] and Robbo were in yesterday.

"Dan went for his scan at 9am and we were watching the game back.

"He wasn't in too much pain when he took the protective cast off and he had movement but when it got pressed it hurt.

"The scan results were positive and they couldn't see any severe ligament damage. However, on one side they can't see it because of the swelling. We'll wait for that to go down a little bit more and re-assess tomorrow or Monday.

"So far, it has been good news and it might just be a week, 10 days or two weeks as opposed to three months."

 

Warne on team news...

"I'm not aware of any other issues really. There are a few aches and pains. I think Matt Olosunde's knee was a bit sore, Crooksy's quad was the same but nothing of a serious note."

 

Warne on challenging his players to try and win the league...

"I said it on Tuesday night, there is a massive part of me that wants to do that.

"It is easy for me to sit here and say if we finish in the top six we've done really well, and we will have. When we started out at the start of the season, we said if we finished top six it would be great.

"I understand why other managers play it down. Everyone wants to be champions, who doesn't.

"I get told about Breck's team in the early 80s when they won it. I'd like to think in 20 years time I might be speaking to someone like Will Vaulks or Woody if they manage here about the team of 2020.

"I would like to leave a legacy here so if we could win the title it would be great.

"I think to win a title is something pretty special - I never did.

"For them it would be something that in 10, 15, 20 years time might get them invited back to come and walk around the pitch with 15 of your teammates and meet up.

"If we could come out at the end of a tough season and be champions it would be unbelievable.

"If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. It doesn't mean we shouldn't try and achieve it."


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