Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne spoke to the local media ahead of his side’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Watford tomorrow.
The Millers welcome the Hornets to AESSEAL New York Stadium, looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the campaign at Sunderland in midweek.
On the agenda was the transfer window closing yesterday, team news ahead of the clash with the Hornets and the summer business as a whole.
Warne on Deadline Day…
“It was fairly uneventful. We didn’t lose anyone which was good and no last minute bids came in for anybody, either.
“We would’ve like to have potentially strengthened in one area, had the right player become available, but it didn’t happen.
“We did a lot of our business earlier on in the window, which we were really pleased with. Sometimes on the last day of the window, someone can become available who you’re not expecting, but it wasn’t to be.
“I’m happy with the group I’ve got. There’s options available to every team, at every level, but if it doesn’t improve your starting eleven, there’s no point doing it.
“Collecting players is not really something we do here, we have 22 pros here, there were options available to us, but I didn’t feel like they were the right ones.”
Warne on the summer business…
“Everyone has worked as hard and diligently as they can. I think we’ve recruited a good team, we have to be sensible and I think we have.
“Throughout the summer, I’ve mentioned many questions about recruitment in terms of outs but the Chairman supports us in everything we’ve done and I think we’ve recruited a very good squad.
“Every manager wants more, of course they do, but we’ve got a good squad here and I’m looking forward to seeing them play.
“Prior to the Sunderland game, if you’d told me we would have kept the squad together, I’d have been happy with that.
“Deadline day can be a little like a sale shop, something becomes available for cheaper than you thought it was and you think “I don’t really want it, but should I get it?” but it does focus your mind.
“I think keeping the group together is very good news for us.”
Warne on Sunderland…
“It was a disappointing result. I thought we played okay in the first half and got into the break level but they scored virtually straight away in the second.
“The place was bouncing and it was a difficult place to play, there’s probably a few reasons why we didn’t play as well as we like, but there’s no excuses from us.
“We just have to move on to the next game and pick the lads up, there’s not point crying about it, because it’s gone now.”
Warne on building the ‘right’ culture at the football club…
“We always try to sign the right people. We’ve got a great dressing room who keep everyone in there happy.
“That’s why we recruitment, if you get one wrong, that can collapse, so it is essential to have that culture.”
Warne on the goalkeeping department…
“They are really close and support each other. Viktor has started the season really well and there’s been no complaints from Josh, quite the opposite.
“They push each other on in training every day. I think a team is built on a good number one and I think we’ve shown that this season.
“Sometimes, you need a keeper to help you out and we have two good ones.”
Warne on Watford…
“We’re playing against a very good team at the weekend, there’s not disputing that.
“Watford have been playing really well, they’ve battered teams on chances and have a real threat. It will be a really big game for us.
“We just want a good performance and if we were to get it, it would go down as a big one.”
Warne on team news…
“The news isn’t as good as I hoped. In midweek I was led to believe that Hally and Cohen would definitely be available for selection, unfortunately I don’t think that is the case now.
“I think it will be the same squad to pick from as it was in midweek. Hopefully worse case, Hally, Cohen and Cameron Humphreys will be available for the Sheffield United game.”