Rotherham United boss Paul Warne praised his side for making it three wins on the spin across the festive period, which has seen his side rise to second in the league.
The Millers defeated Blackpool 2-1 at AESSEAL New York Stadium to clinch a double over the Seasiders, as Michael Smith and Dan Barlaser grabbed a goal apiece in each half.
“The fact we’ve played three games in really quick succession and been able to beat a really good Blackpool side, it makes me really proud,” said Warne. “It’s probably the proudest I’ve felt in a while. I felt we played really well, it was probably ugly a little bit at times but we did enough to win the game.
“We’re asking the lads to play right on tilt every week. We don’t play sideways and backwards, we try and play forward, make defenders defend and it takes a lot of energy out of the players.
“I wasn’t best pleased with their equalising goals – I felt it was offside but I could be wrong. Then for Dan Barlaser to score the goal like it did, I’m really pleased for Dan because he’s been excellent the last few weeks and really picked up recently.
“For us to start the new year with a win is joyful.”
Armand Gnanduillet grabbed the equaliser for Blackpool, who are also in the race for promotion, but the Millers were always in control and looked destined for the win.
“I thought it was two good teams and at times we cancelled each other out,” continued Warne.
“It felt like if they were going to get something, it was going to be on the counter-attack. At 80 minutes, if you’d have offered me the draw – I didn’t want the draw – I made attacking subs, but if both teams had got a point we’d have maybe been happy.
“For us to nick it with a bit of class was a bit of sunshine on a dark day.”
The Millers boss went on to discuss the importance of playing for those whose names were on the big screen before kick-off, as part of the ‘Rotherham Remembers’ commemoration.
“My dad’s name was on the list of Rotherham Remembers along with everyone else who we have unfortunately lost so they were pre-warned that they were playing for all those people.”