Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was in good spirits when he spoke to iFollow Millers earlier this afternoon, with his team reaching a Wembley final the night before.
The Millers overcame Hartlepool United on penalties to book a place in the Papa Johns Trophy showpiece, where they will face Sutton United.
Warne discussed what the game meant to the players and their families, as well as giving an update on his squad following the match.
Due to the relentless nature of the fixture list, the Millers have a quick turnaround to contend with for their next fixture, with a trip to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday the next focus.
You can read the manager’s press highlights below, with videos to appear soon on iFollow Millers.
Warne on reaching Wembley…
“I was really pleased for the lads and their families, to see their sons, brothers or dads play at Wembley is really special.
“I’m delighted for the fans who want to go, it is a joy to watch your team go and play at Wembley. You never know when it is going to come around again, we might not play there again for another 100 years.
“It shouldn’t be underestimated and a day that should be enjoyed, we’ll enjoy it more if we win of course.
“Sutton are of course a very good team and will want it just as much as we do, so it should be a very exciting game.”
Warne on squad rotation during the Hartlepool game…
“I look at all my players as first team players. Enabling to rotate the team around a little helps. We wanted to get more minutes into Angus, Haks and Jamie Lindsay.
“I like having five subs, I’d have made five at half time if I was completely devastated, but I thought the conditions in the second half would suit us and they did, we were pretty dominant.
“All in all, it keeps the group together, which is essential for team success.”
Warne on getting the chance to look at potential options up front…
“I’ve stuck Chieo up front a couple of times recently and we have got a few other options there. JJ has recovered from his knee and should be okay for the weekend.
“Unfortunately for us, four of the five strikers we have are injured, but it is something we just have to get on with.
“Georgie and Freddie are definitely out for the weekend, but JJ could make it.”
Warne on having Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Mickel Miller back…
“It was great to get minutes into both of them. REG did well on the whole, but was a tad rusty with a few things, which is to be expected.
“I think Mickel was excellent. He’s an old fashioned winger, who just wants to past people and cross, which I really like in my wide players.”
Warne on Jamie Lindsay…
“He’s a little downbeat because he thought he was fit enough to play. He’d had an injection in his arm and as the game went on you could tell he was struggling.
“It wasn’t an easy substitution to make, but it was the right thing to do. Whether he will be available to travel at the weekend is doubtful.”
Warne on facing a battling Wycombe side he sees similarities in to his own...
"Every game that we've had with Gareth's team over the last few years has been tough - home and away.
"They're a club that is similar to us with the same ambitions as ours, they've been on a bit of a sticky wicket but they've come through it in the last two games.
"They've changed the system a couple of times in the last few weeks but they are scoring goals for fun, so we'll have to be at our defensive best to come away with anything.
"Wycombe away isn't a fixture I look at and think "that will be good" in the same way, that respectfully, Gareth probably thought Rotherham away wasn't a good fixture for them.
"I know it is going to be a tough game and we'll have to get as many recovery strategies in place as we can to go again, so we won't do a lot on the grass tomorrow."
Warne on his side needing to win their individual duels across the pitch...
"In every game you have to win the battle before you win the war.
"I think Wycombe aren't dissimilar to us, so Gareth will be saying the same to his team.
"I'll be telling them if they're not at their very best, Wycombe will find their weakness and they'll punish you.
"We need to be at our glittering best and we'll have to pick a team that suits the start of the game and make changes where we see fit."