Rotherham United boss Paul Warne was almost fresh off the coach from the epic trip down to Devon at the weekend to speak with the iFollow Millers cameras ahead another decent journey to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night.
Up for discussion was whether the long coach ride had affected plans in any way, whether the mindset for the midweek game has changed with it being a game “in-hand”, Georgie Kelly’s progress with the Millers, and plenty more.
Read all about it in our press highlights below or watch all the video content on iFollow Millers, HERE.
Warne on how he, his staff and players have 'recharged' after the long trip to Plymouth...
"We're good or 'recharged' as I like to say.
"The journey is a lot more enjoyable when you win and I appreciate all the fans who made the effort because that is some hike.
"It is a nice part of the world and I don't think we've played a more welcoming club this year.
"It was a good game I thought with two teams going for it - I thought the scoreline could have been 10 variations of what it was.
"We're just putting the meeting together to show them where we need to tighten up and what we were good at and then we'll show them Shrewsbury as well today, so we're back on it again."
📽️| With three points safely secured, we were keen to know what Paul Warne had downloaded to pass the time on the epic trip back...
— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) February 28, 2022
...only to find he'd made the rookie error of forgetting a key piece of kit, meaning no series binge-watching!#rufc |#ForeverTogetherForeverProud pic.twitter.com/nE5pOwfO5m
Warne on getting through the majority of the post-Plymouth analysis on the bus home...
"Plymouth was done and dusted so that was good.
"The long journey did enable us to get that done before the first coffee break.
"We're looking forward to the next game but all it feels like we do at the moment is recover and then prepare, we don't seem to have any lulls - which is great for a fan possibly, but difficult for us!"
Warne on the players coming in later to training on Monday...
"I've done that all the time - they always start at 12 on a Monday because I'm aware that they don't all live in Rawmarsh.
"Some of them have a journey to make and I know what Monday morning traffic is like.
"I don't want them to sleep in and then rush in - I'd rather they take their time.
"It does allow them to have more time in their beds and there's no better recovery than sleep."
Warne on whether the mindset changes at all for Tuesday night with it being a 'game in-hand'...
"I know Oxford are playing, but MK Dons aren't, so we have just got to try and get away from the third and fourth place.
"I'm not concerned - respectfully - of Wigan's results as much.
"It is more about trying to guarantee us an automatic spot.
"If we were able to pick up something tomorrow night, it would take us into the big game on Saturday.
"We've got to get through tomorrow first. If I had a magic wand and you said to me "you can draw one, win one" I know which order I'd have it, but that isn't how football is.
"We have to pick our best team for tomorrow night who are fit and available and then get ready for Saturday.
"It doesn't feel like a game in-hand because there are five or six fixtures.
"It just feels like one of the last 12. There are 12 more big efforts if we don't want to get into the Play-offs, which we don't. That would have been an achievement at the start of the season, no doubt, but with the position we've put ourselves in, I don't want to go down that route if I can help it."
Warne on whether that are any casualties from the weekend's effort...
"Yes and no.
"There are a few issues, a little bit of illness in the camp which doesn't help.
"We're going to count the wounded in a little while. One of my players is having a scan.
"We have a few issues, but that is why we have a squad.
"I always intended to make a few changes and knowing the opposition and their strengths it seems a perfect opportunity to do it."
Warne on Georgie Kelly's progress with the Millers...
"He's getting closer.
"You can ask Georgie, I've had many conversations with him.
"I think he's doing really well and I don't want him to beat himself up or get frustrated.
"As soon as I think he will help us to win, he will get his opportunity.
"There are very good players in front of him and he knows the competition. He's come to a very good club and he'll have a great future here, but in the meantime we're just trying to improve him where we can and teach him how we play and what's expected."
Warne on the in-house messaging about any potential success this season...
"It is sort of true and sort of not that we haven't spoken about it.
"I have talked to the lads about achieving greatness and if they could win a title, but I haven't spoken about it more today than I have 10 months ago.
"They have their personal goals and I just think winning is something else.
"The feeling of winning is irreplaceable in life and if you saw Liverpool - which I'm going to show the lads today - celebrate after their win yesterday and remember that these are multi-millionaire, international footballers, but they're jumping around singing a song like they're seven-years-old.
"That unbridled enjoyment of victory is something you struggle to get in life really."
Warne on Shrewsbury...
"Me and Hammy went to watch them the other week and got about six miles short of it and we found out the game was off.
"I know how far it is, it's a bit of a hike but we're not going until tomorrow.
"That's no excuse. Once the lads get there, they will be fully-refreshed and ready for the battle.
"We are just going to have to be at our very best to get something.
"Shrewsbury's games have been won or lost by the odd goal and they've been really tight."