Rotherham United boss Paul Warne held his first press conference of the 2022/23 campaign on Thursday ahead of the club’s Sky Bet Championship opener against Swansea City at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
With plenty to catch up on after a busy pre-season schedule, the Millers boss covered topics including what shape his side are in ahead of the first game, whilst talking about the challenge of facing the Swansa, the importance of the home crowd on Saturday and embracing tests they will face in the second tier.
The highlights of that interview are available to read below or you can watch all of the video content HERE on iFollow Millers.
Warne on going into the opening game…
“It has come around really quick, hasn’t it? I don’t feel as prepared as we have in previous seasons. We’ve had a few injuries during pre-season and we’d still like to get a couple more in.
“We got into the season full of optimism. The lads have been buzzing this week and we’ve trained really well, we’re in a good place.
“I hope the fans turn up in full voice, it is the first time we’ve played in front of them since Gillingham away. I’m looking forward to the fixture.”
Warne on embracing the Championship challenge…
“We have to go after it, we’re everyone’s favourites to go down again, which will use as motivation. I feel like we have a bit more experience than last time, which I’ve tried to add to the squad.
“We also have a few lads here already who have played in the Champ too. We won games last year we didn’t deserve to and lost games we didn’t deserve to last season as well, but whatever the outcome of the games, it won’t be through a lack of effort.
“Obviously experience can only get you so far. Everything we do will have to be spot on and we know that. Our performances, our set pieces and our subs have to work for us and we give ourselves a great chance.
“I know where we stand, but where we stand and where we end up are two different things, it’s a mentality thing.”
Warne on Lee Peltier signing…
“He became available and it was a no-brainer for me. He has played a lot of games in the Champ and is a real winner.
“I said to him this morning it is not a charity, I’ve not given you a contract because you’re my mate and it worked the other way round, too.
“It’s not a case of him coming here to ‘save the day’ so to speak. He knows he’s going to come in and work just as hard as everyone else.
“He’ll add something to the dressing room in terms of leadership and experience. He’s as professional as they come and will probably play until he’s 40 so I have absolutely no worries about age, either.
“He’ll be one of the fittest lads we have here and will add a little bit of bite to the team, which we need.”
Warne on the prospect of adding further signings…
“We’ve signed some men, some leaders and some scrappers. I think the blend is quite good, but we know we’re still a couple short.
It isn’t easy to sign players, but we’re trying our best. I’m meeting a player to try and convince him to come later today, so work is always going.
“We can only do what we can do, at the moment we’ve recruited as well as we could with the situation we are in, but we do still need more competition for places.”
Warne's pre-Swansea City team news...
"I have a couple back this weekend and a couple haven't made it.
"One I thought might make it hasn't, so that's disappointing.
"We'll be more than competitive and have a good team out there.
"We'll have the opportunity to make five changes - as will the opposition - so I will definitely be using that.
"A couple aren't 100% match fit but we'll get a good team out that are prepared to try and win a game of football."
Warne on the new five-substitute rule...
"It's good for numerous reasons. You can play right on the edge all of the time because you know you can change it.
"For example, if Shane Ferguson isn't fit - which isn't the case - but he's 60% and can start the game, I know that I can take him off at half-time if I need to.
"It helps when you need a certain player tactically for a certain game.
"I know that if the team starts off badly and I've picked the wrong shape, then I can make two changes at half time, totally reshape and you still have three subs.
"Previously, you'd see managers - myself included - make two changes and then hold the third one until the 80th minute because if you'd used it and something happens, you'd be down to 10 men."
Warne on Swansea City...
"They've had a good pre-season and played a lot of League One teams. They haven't lost and won a couple too.
"They're a really progressive passing team and they want to play out from the back, or they have, they might go completely opposite against us. They have in pre-season.
"I think they are 'getting' their DNA. I think they'll have a really good season and they have a some real goal threats in their team, pace and they play with a real courage.
"It will be a very tough game - as they all will be - for us to come out with anything.
Warne on importance of fans this season...
"I did an interview the other day about away form and I'd be interested to see the stats for most teams during Covid times.
"I reckon most teams were better because everywhere was neutralised with no crowds.
"However, contrary to that, I bet that most people's home form wasn't as good.
"Fans make a massive impact.
"We've seen in the Women's EUROs how the crowd at Bramall Lane played a massive part for England.
"Even when I was a player, I would bang the drum all the time about fans. Encourage a player, scream at them and give them everything you can for 90 minutes. Go to the pub afterwards and say "he's rubbish" but while they're there, help them, because they need that at any level."