Rotherham United manager Paul Warne took time out to speak to www.themillers.co.uk ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.
The Millers welcome to Railwaymen to the AESSEAL New York Stadium off the back of two impressive performances on the road, including the 2-0 victory over early pacesetters Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.
There was plenty to discuss ahead of the hosting of the Alex, including reflections on that excellent performance, a brace for midfielder Ben Wiles in that game and what to expect from the weekend’s visitors.
The highlights are below and full video content will available to view shortly, HERE.
Warne on Bolton win…
“I was really pleased to win, especially in front of a big crowd. Bolton are riding the crest of a wave at the moment after promotion and especially with their big win at Ipswich the previous week.
“I thought they were a very good side and we didn’t underestimate them at all. We told the lads how good they were before the game and it proved to be the case.
“We scored in the first half and thankfully that was enough, but there were a lot of key incidents in the game that went our way for sure.”
🎥| "I'm trying to mix up my game and 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲."@EdozieOgbene talks about how doing his homework has helped him improve in the final third and the physical benefits of playing wing back.
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) September 24, 2021
Full interview on iFollow...#rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud pic.twitter.com/D0DRSoiDIZ
Warne on keeping a clean sheet…
“Clean sheets are always nice. We perhaps did ride our luck a little bit on Saturday, but I think you have to in most games. Teams will always create chances against you.
“I thought we saw the game out really well in the second half. I was happy for us to defend crosses and prevent them coming through the middle of us.
“Aside from a 15 minutes spell in the second half, I thought we saw the game out reasonably comfortably.”
Warne on Ben Wiles’ brace…
“He did really well scoring twice but could have even had another one, which he is disappointed with because a hat-trick is a rare commodity in today’s game.
“I’m disappointed for him that he didn’t get three, but his performance was excellent and I suppose you can’t be greedy.
“Wilsey is an unbelievable player, all the midfielders are really good here. At the weekend Wilesy, T and Smudge got the top distances.
“A lot of people are praising Ollie and he matched Jamie Lindsay’s distance at the weekend which we’re pleased with.
“As a midfield unit we’re really good and have fantastic energy. I’ve challenged them to chip in with goals and thankfully Wilesy got two on Saturday.”
Warne on Rermani Edmonds-Green…
“I really like him and I wanted to bring him to the football club when he became available. He’s come into the team recently and has been excellent.
“I’m really pleased with him. He’s a brilliant lad and a bit of a joker in the pack, he’s a great kid.
“Our job as coaches is to make all of our players better, he played 20 games in the Championship last year so clearly he is someone with a lot of ability.
“He has come in to compete and if his performances are good he will keep regulars out of the team, I have no issues with that.”
Warne on the start to the season…
“How you judge success is different for every party, for me, I judge success with getting the best out of the group every week.
“Minus one game, I think we’ve been excellent from the first to the last minute and I’m very pleased with that.
“I’m really looking forward to a season where I can enjoy watching the team play, but I am aware of the fact that the margins are close in our games and sometimes they go against you, which shouldn’t detract from performances.”
Warne on the desire in the squad to win promotion…
“We just want them to be the best that they can be every day, so we talk about promotion all the time, in order to try and push them to do that.
“There are of course other teams who have the same aspirations as us and we have some tough challenges to come.
“We’ve started the season well, not with a relegation hangover which is always a concern and we have a great group who understand what we want.”
Warne on managing the stress of management…
“I want to win every game, that has not changed since I took the job, so the stress of that is still there of course.
“The league this season is the strongest I’ve ever known it. Usually you get a team that runs away with it but I’m not sure we’re going to see that this time.
“I think we’ve set ourselves up well. I’ve surrounded myself with some great people and we’ve signed the players we want.
“Hopefully we can go on to have a cracking season.”
Warne on David Artell…
“He’s done really well. He lost a few players in the window but I feel like he’s recruited really well. He’s had one promotion already, he’s done brilliantly and I wish him every success, after Saturday’s game, of course.”
🎥| Millers boss Paul Warne talks about a Rotherham return for former teammate David Artell and his own players' aspirations of promotion and what it will take to achieve that in 2021/22.
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) September 24, 2021
Full interviews available now on iFollow Millers.#rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud pic.twitter.com/HhXRHHBHwy
Warne on Crewe…
“They do try and play out from the back, which is virtually the norm in this league now. I can see them attacking the league in exactly the same way they always do.
“They had a good result recently against Burton at the weekend which I’m sure will give them confidence.
“They are flexible in their system, so it will be interesting to see how they set-up.”