Rotherham boss Paul Warne spoke to iFollow Millers in the build-up to tomorrow’s clash with Preston North End.
The Millers have made a bright and promising start to life back in the Sky Bet Championship, with two home games to start the season. The first being a 1-1 stalemate with Swansea City, the second being a 4-0 victory against Reading.
Ahead of the match, Warne discussed his post-Reading observations, injury news, and his thoughts ahead of the trip to Deepdale.
Warne on the Reading result…
“With the Coventry game being postponed, having two home games on the spin and picking up 4 points, the lads can be really happy.
“There isn't much time to enjoy it - it would be great if there wasn't a midweek game, we could come in and tap everyone on the back all week but we can't.
“You always want everything to be perfect, everyone does - but you can't let things slide under the carpet, and after a win even more so I think the lads are available for criticism more.”
Warne on his pre-match team talk versus Reading…
“I'm obviously an emotional guy, so I always like to relate performance to emotion, to families, to the people who watch you - and to always try and make people proud.
“The performance comes from them, not from me. I could go in and tell them a joke about how there once was a dinosaur from Hungary - I don't know, I could say anything. They're the ones that drive it.”
Warne on guarding against complacency…
“It is difficult but I'm happy to have a difficult situation being 4-0 up most half times, it's easier than being 4-0 down.
“Luckily, our lads - they're not complacent I don't think ever. There a line between confidence and overconfidence and arrogance - and I don't think our lads are like that.
“Our game management at times could've been a little bit better I think.”
Warne on the squad fitness levels…
“Really good. Brent has come in and replaced Ross, so big shoes to fill but came in and we've tweaked training a little bit.
“It's always the same though; if you win everyone looks fit, everyone looks great - if you lose, everyone looks out of shape and not interested. Neither are true really.
“They are in good shape, but unfortunately if you train really hard you do lose people on the way - so fundamentally, we have had a few injuries this summer which isn't ideal.”
Warne on current injury statuses…
“Tom Eaves is back in the group properly today, so he'll be involved in the squad which is good. Great news for him as well, he's a great kid and he's desperate to get going.
“[Peter Kioso] had a scan. He spoke to a specialist - a bit of the groin has come off the bone so we were worried that it was going to be surgery but that's not the case which is good.”
Warne on Preston North End…
“I think they're top of the league for the most chances created and the best pressing, and they're very good at keeping the ball.
“We've had success at their place before but you can't use that because it was a completely different team.
“I am going into the game with a real confidence from the group.
“It's an away fixture and if you're going to have a successful season in the Championship you have to pick points up away from home - and there's no reason why, if we play at our absolute best, we can compete and maybe come away with something.”