Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne spoke to iFollow Millers as preparations continue ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup First Round tie at Vale Park.
The Millers head to take on Port Vale following an enforced break from action, following the postponement of their scheduled trip to take on Coventry City.
Ahead of the tie, The Gaffer discussed the postponement, his plans for team selection and latest team news.
Warne on the Coventry postponement…
“Obviously it wasn’t ideal, we tried to delay departure as long as we could but we had to prepare like the game was on.
“We trained late here at the stadium and then drove down before being told it was off. We could’ve put loads into the lads, but we didn’t.
“We trained well today, the sun is out and the lads have been upbeat.”
Warne on how the postponement impacted the team…
“If we needed a rest, it would’ve been welcomed, but we’re early into the season. In fairness, Coventry wouldn’t have wanted the rest either, so it is what it is.
“The lads should feel fresh for this game. We’re now going Saturday-Tuesday in the coming months, so it prepares us well for the games ahead.”
Warne on whether he will make changes for Wednesday’s game…
“We will be making changes, we need the lads to play minutes. I want to win the game obviously, but the Wednesday game is very close to the Saturday.
“There’s a few that I think need to play, everyone has trained really well and we’re ready for the challenge.
“I’ll try and shuffle the pack as much as I can, with a good, competitive team. We want to go through and we’ll pick a team we think will give us the best chance to do that.”
Warne on the chance for the players featuring on Wednesday to earn a place in the side for the weekend…
“That’s what I’ll be saying in the pre-match meeting. That is how football should be and the lads know that.
“I don’t try and complicate the game, the lads know every time they put a shirt on for us, they have to go out and impress. Wednesday will be no different.
“As I’ve said, it is a game we want to get through, winning breeds confidence and that is something you want early in the season."
Warne on how cup runs can help with momentum…
“The Papa Johns Trophy run last year was great, I’m not saying I think we’ll get to Wembley this year, unless Manchester City have a bad year.
“A cup run is always a good thing, you never know who you’re going to get. If you get a Manchester United or Manchester City, it is a memory you can’t take off people.
“We’re all about trying to make memories here and make people proud. We just want to win football matches and so do the lads.
“We’ll put out a really strong team, as I’m sure Port Vale will too and both look to win a cup game."
Warne on team news…
“Hopefully Tom Eaves will join in training next Monday and we’ll be looking to involve him pretty quickly.
“JJ and Ciaran McGuckin are the week after, so we’re really pleased.
“In terms of Wednesday, we don’t have any fresh concerns.”
Warne on Port Vale…
“They have been playing 3-5-2 and have started quite well and obviously had a great season last year.
“I think they play like us, they look to press the ball really high up the pitch, are big on second balls and really good at crosses.
“They play forward and run forward. I love the management team there and like everything about the club, to be fair.
“It will be a good game and I look forward to it.”
Warne on Jamie Proctor…
“We’re still in touch, he sent me a book he thought I’d like the other day, but I’d already read it.
“He’s a great lad and a good family man. I was sorry to see him go, but we couldn’t give him the game time.
“Sometimes, even if you’re a great player, we can’t keep you all the time. On his day he was unplayable and we look forward to seeing him.”