Dan Barlaser’s recent displays have led to fans at AESSEAL New York Stadium likening him to a certain Italian midfielder.
‘The Geordie Pirlo’ as - he has been affectionately coined by the Millers faithful – has been close to his scintillating best in recent weeks and has added goals to his game too.
Having netted two in the recent 5-1 triumph over Gillingham, he provided the match-winning strike at the Abbey Stadium which saw the Millers take their run of games without defeat to a staggering 21.
The Millers haven’t been behind in fixtures during that streak, other than in the game against the Gills, but even that couldn’t prevent them from coming back to win, something Barlaser hopes is testament to the character in the group.
“The response from the lads to going behind was fantastic, we showed great character from the early setback and everyone was buzzing to win,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“The recent form has kept us unbeaten in the league and in the position we want to be in.”
With further games coming thick and fast as part of the festive fixture schedule, the Millers know they are in for more stern tests of their credentials as they continue to do battle on three fronts in all competitions.
Barlaser – like the rest of the squad – is determined to keep the unbeaten run going for as long as possible and knows the winter months will be crucial to any chance of success this term.
“I think the way we press teams is really hard to play against and hopefully we can keep that up right through the campaign,” he continued.
“We’re a lot better at mixing it up as well. I think we’ve got a reputation for just being a ‘long ball team’ but we can get it down and play as well.
“We all want this run to last together but we all know it will come to an end at some point, the key then is to ensure we then put another run together and I think we have the mentality to do that.
“The winter months are crucial to success. We’ve had an excellent first half of the season and we just want to continue that."
“The games are coming thick and fast and we know that the teams who have a good Christmas will set themselves up well for the second half of the campaign, we’re determined to do that.”