Rotherham United boss Paul Warne spoke to iFollow Millers on Thursday morning ahead of the training session at Roundwood to discuss a number of topics ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One fixture at Fleetwood Town.
Among the topics were a reflection on the performance against Queens Park Rangers in the Emirates FA Cup, a look at how the squad is feeling after 120 minutes of action against a Sky Bet Championship side, general team news and the challenge that awaits the Millers at Highbury Stadium.
You can read all of the key take-aways from the interview in our press highlights below, or watch the videos in full when they appear on iFollow Millers shortly HERE.
Warne on QPR performance in the Emirates FA Cup...
"It seems a while ago now.
"The lads were excellent and I thought we had a right go and went to try and win the game.
"There was the fun of penalties but it didn't get as far as Woody!
"The lads were good and you can always be better obviously, but we were pretty pleased with the performance.
"I don't think it was obvious to anyone who was at the game that we were the League One team and in that respect, it will give the lads a lot of confidence."
Warne on how everyone is after a mammoth effort that ran for 120 minutes at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium...
"I think we've got 22 outfield pros and no injuries in the camp.
"We've got no Covid and no injuries, so there will be a few headaches when it comes to picking the team and the squad for Saturday."
Warne on Mickel Miller and Ben Wiles recoveries...
"They'll both train so they're both fighting to get into the squad and the team.
"They're both fine and we have absolutely no issues at the moment. You could interview me again after training and I might have six but as I sit here talking to you now, I have literally a full squad."
Warne on Angus MacDonald...
"We need to organise him a couple of games to play in and I know that there are a couple of reserve games next week or the week after.
"He'll definitely play a part in that.
"My intention was to play him. Everyone in the first team squad is a player and I don't look at anyone any differently.
"I was hoping that the scoreline in both games [Crewe and QPR] would go one way or the other, so I could let him have a run out and get him playing but I think he has enjoyed being a part of it and I intend to include him as much as I can going forwards, but there is still competition for places."
Warne on Jake Hull's loan departure to Hartlepool...
"It's a great move for him and he's done really well.
"He trained really hard in pre-season to get a contract with us which he thoroughly deserved and earned and he's gone out on loan and been a success.
"He's got this opportunity at Hartlepool and hopefully he'll get some game time.
"As little or as great as that, it is all part of being in the dressing room, the importance of winning and obviously up a level.
"It'll be a big ask but I think that he is more than capable."
Warne on the transfer window and any movement at the moment...
"If I look at my phone, there is always some interest in our players, but at the moment nothing concrete.
"I personally think that there are that many embargoes knocking about and the issues surrounding Covid, that there are money issues that mean there won't be loads of movement at any club.
"I know there will be a lot more in the last few days with loans but generally speaking, everyone wants to keep their squads together and hopefully we're one of the teams that do.
"You just have to look through League One at the moment and how much movement there has been and I'd be surprised if any club has done more than three bits of business."
Warne on Sunderland's result at Lincoln being another stark reminder that anyone can beat anyone in League One...
"Me and Hammy went to the Lincoln game in midweek.
"There are just no easy games.
"I think winning football games at any level is very tough - although I know Man City make it look easy but most teams don't and it is the same for us.
"Whichever game we have on paper, you look at them and think that looks easier or harder but when you actually break it down, there isn't a lot between the best teams and the 'worst'.
"One of the best teams I think we've played in recent months was Charlton and then lost 2-1 at Crewe. Nobody would have had that result down.
"Each game comes with it's own questions.
"Fundamentally, that 90 minutes, especially in winter conditions making games a battle, it is very difficult to win a game."
Warne on Fleetwood Town and his reflections on the game earlier in the season...
"All teams are capable of beating you on your day and that's what we've said to them - if we're not at our best, we won't win.
"We just have to prepare our team to win a game. Hopefully that will be enough and we might need Lady Luck.
"If you watch the game back from earlier in the season - which I have done - for 50 minutes we were really good and then for half an hour, we went full-on horror.
"In that half hour they managed to score four goals.
"We could go to Fleetwood on Saturday, be amazing for 85 minutes, not take our chances and they have a five minute spell and score two goals.
"We just have to try and take our chances when we are on top."