Rotherham United boss Paul Warne spoke to iFollow Millers on Thursday as attentions turn to Sunday’s televised South Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
The Millers manager had plenty to cover following another clean sheet and midweek success on the road at AFC Wimbledon, whilst also taking time out to provide updates on the injured Will Grigg and Mickel Miller.
Also on the agenda was the prospect of facing a revitalised Owls outfit at the weekend and how Warne believes his side have defied the ‘big and physical’ tag this season.
You can read all the key points in our press highlights below, or watch the interviews on iFollow Millers shortly, HERE.
Warne on his side adding points to their tally at the top of the league on Tuesday night...
"It's good but we've obviously got loads of games to go.
"We probably need nine or 10 more wins if we want to go up automatically.
"The performance was okay, first half I thought we could be a little bit better and in the second, we were really good.
"Jamie Lindsay came in and did really well.
"All-in-all, we're really pleased with a 1-0 and the results were kind for us as well, which you're going to need at times."
Warne on Grigg injury...
"Griggy coming off injured is a big blow.
"I think he is the glue to the team really.
"His link-up play is really good and he works well with Smudge.
"Unfortunately, he's going to be out for a long period of time, so that isn't good news."
Warne on not getting too emotional after wins or defeats...
"We're not that excitable, we try not to get too down on defeats or too high on victories.
"We will just keep trying to average two points per-game and over the next three, if we get six points - and my maths is right - then we've done well again.
"I appreciate the enormity of the next two being a local game and a top of the league game against Wigan, so it would be great to win those or be competitive and get something out of them, but if we don't we just have to look to the next.
"The games are that thick and fast for all of the clubs that you don't have time to ponder."
Warne on Joshua Kayode and his first league goal for the Millers...
"It's great for him.
"It's great to score a goal anyway but to score a league goal for us is good.
"It was a great finish but it was a great weight of pass from Chieo and a good passing move goal.
"We needed something to break down a pretty formidable Wimbledon defence, but for JJ it is really good.
"It didn't surprise me how much attention we had for him in the window - he was our most popular player for outside of this building.
"He trains really well and he wants to be given a chance. He's not ready yet to play every minute of every game I don't think, but anything that builds his confidence and his own self-belief is great."
Warne on the perception of his time being 'big and physical'...
"I think we've done quite a bit of quashing that, having spoken to other managers.
"I appreciate everyone says in the press that they're playing a 'physical' team, but I don't think what managers say and how people interpret it are the same thing.
"I think it is about our press and our counter-press.
"I watched the Wimbledon manager's post-match and he was talking about our counter-press and how we just don't give them any time on the ball.
"I don't think it means 'physical' as in, we boom it and fight and scrap.
"We are a physical team because we have to run, the lads know that."
Warne on a nice moment for Angus MacDonald as he returned to action...
"Look, Angus when fully fit is definitely one of our leaders.
"I thought he was excellent last season and it has just been a really difficult time for him.
"He's getting closer. I wanted to play him in the cup games, but I wanted to protect him but I'm also trying to push him on. It's a bit like dropping your kid off at school for the first day, you know it's for the best but you're uncertain how it's going to go.
"He knew where to be, he made good clearances, got his head in and he was just - in the words of my father - a solid citizen really.
"I was really pleased for him, pleased for the team and now it is just a case of trying to get him on the pitch. The defenders have been doing really well but it will give him a massive boost and sincerely, everyone was really, really pleased for him."
Warne on timeframes for Grigg and Miller injuries...
"I think Mickel is another couple of weeks.
"I don't really like to put a timeframe on Griggy's because the physios told me, but we think he might be about eight weeks.
"His is a severe hammy. There was obviously nobody near him when he did it. He ran and put the cross in for a chance that Smudge should definitely have taken.
"It's a massive blow. Griggy has got back to looking really sharp and his offside goal was very harsh as well.
"He'll be out for a period. As I always say, it's 'next man up' but I do say that with a heavy heart because I do think we're going to miss him."
Warne on Richard Wood's availability...
"I think he has been one of our standout players, but he normally plays two in three, rather than every game.
"I try and protect the players wherever I can and we've managed the minutes quite well and kept the injuries down."
Warne on making the players aware of the importance of the Sheffield Wednesday fixture to the fans, whilst also not getting over-stimulated for the clash...
"I try not to build it up too much.
"It's a difficult one because I enjoy the game in a weird way. I don't enjoy many games, do I, but I do like this one.
"I do understand the importance of it and that some families have fans in different camps.
"As a player, these are the games that you want to play in, so I don't really have to rev the lads up a great deal for this.
"I did last time because there was no crowd in.
"The crowds normally look after the derbies for you and you don't need to say a lot."
Warne on Sheffield Wednesday's impressive run of late...
"Both teams go into it in really good form.
"They've won five out of six I think and have had four clean sheets on the spin, similar to us.
"They have one of the best home records in the league and real belief, with a good manager and great players.
"It would be great if we went there and picked something up, because I know how much it means to everyone, but two days after that I'll be talking about the Wigan game, and then the next, so it isn't a 'cup final' for us, but it is one that we want to use to prove to people how good our players are."