Rotherham United manager Paul Warne spoke to the local media ahead of his side’s Emirates FA Cup First Round tie with Bromley on Saturday.
The Millers welcome the Ravens to AESSEAL New York Stadium, with their visitors flying high in the Vanarama National League standings. The manager discussed their threats, as well as what sort of game he is expecting.
Also on the agenda, was his team news and other topics including different set piece routines. You can read the highlights of his interview below.
Warne on team news…
“I don’t think Mickel Miller is available, we’re going to shut him down for a few days to give his foot injury time to heal. Ben Wiles’ foot is still sore, but he should be okay.
“Apart from that, we have a bit of fatigue, but nothing that should effect our team selection.”
Warne on his approach to the Bromley game…
“We’ll approach the game in the same way we would any other and pick the strongest team we can. We have a bit of time without a game after this, so this is one more hurdle to get through, hopefully injury free.
“We’ll attack the game In the same way. It is a game we want to win against a really good team. We’ve watched them a lot and we know what they can do.”
Warne on managing players who may not be getting as much game time as they’d like…
“It is tricky and I think all managers find it that way. I loved the nine substitutions rule from last season where five could come on, it kept the camp really tight and happy.
“At the moment, I have 19 fit pros. I had a chat with Tolaji Bola last week and just told him to keep doing what he’s doing and working hard.
“He has trained really well and we then take all 19 down to Charlton and I have to tell him he’s not in the squad, which is hard because he hasn’t done anything wrong.
“The balance of the team is quite good, the subs are all ready to play, as is he.
“It isn’t an easy thing, you’ve just got to treat all the lads the same, which I think we’re really good at here.
“We always speak to them all the time and make sure they’re okay as best we can. You’ve also got to understand they are humans and elite athletes, who want to play every minute.”
🎥| Wes Harding is living proof that good human beings don't always have a fashion sense to match!
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) November 4, 2021
Of course, we're kidding @MrWesleyHarding, but we enjoyed the Gaffer giving you a bit of friendly banter about today's attire!#rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud pic.twitter.com/7tmcqM37WK
Warne on how he handled being out of the side as a player…
“I think I handled it pretty well, I was always pretty honest with myself. For example, if I didn’t play for this club and an Alan Lee or a Mark Robins did, I would say to Ronnie Moore, ‘I agree with you, you should play them two.’
“If I was playing well, I’d obviously be disappointed, but I always saw it as a challenge to get back in and prove the manager wrong.
“I’ve told this story before, but my lowest point was when I travelled down to Watford and I think it was me and Richie who didn’t make the squad.
“I was pretty unhappy with it, to put it nicely, and even considered jumping on a train and going home.
“I say that now and I’m pretty disgusted with myself, I’d be disappointed if my son did that or one of my players.
“But in the heat of the moment, when you’re really disappointed, it is difficult. We’re all human, we all want to play and make our families proud of us.
“Generally speaking, I always looked at it that the manager picks the teams for the right reasons and I had to respect that.”
Warne on utilising ‘different’ set piece routines…
“I like funky stuff. I love the NFL and I like seeing all the plays that they do. I think the way football is now, you have to keep moving your set pieces around a lot.
“Because of video analysis being such a big thing in football, the opposition will know what we’ve done in the last three games.
“So you have to keep adapting and keep changing. Some are high risk, if you play a short one and lose it, the opposition could score at the other end, so it is risk and reward.
“Hammy is the one that looks at the weaknesses of the opposition to see where we can hurt them the most.
“On the whole, we try to change it as much as we can.”
Warne on Bromley…
“They are all full-time players and if they win their game in hand, they are top of the conference and we know how strong the conference is after our pre-season game with Grimsby.
“They’ve got a large contingent of pros and a good youth player in midfield who I really like.
“They mix it up, they can go short or got long. They are a little like us and play a similar system. Bromley are having a really good season and I know what it is like when you’re flying high in the league and a playing a higher league opponent, you’re going to be up for it.
“I remember playing against Maidenhead and Solihull Moors in this competition. We didn’t underestimate them at all and they still nearly beat us, so it will be a really tough game.
“FA Cup matches are always hard, not matter who you play and we’re playing an in-form side, so it’ll be a real battle.”