A clean sheet and an assured performance in the backline, it was like Grant Hall had never been away.
The on loan Middlesbrough defender had been subjected to a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, which kept him out of action for two months before starting Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Sheffield United at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The Millers were able to keep a talented Blades outfit – containing the likes of Oli McBurnie and Iliman Ndiaye in their armoury – at bay to earn a share of the derby spoils and Hall believes it was a another result which will give the whole team confidence.”
"It was really pleasing to be back out there, it has been a really frustrating time for me of late, being out injured with a hamstring problem, so to be back playing again has been a real positive,” Hall told www.themillers.co.uk.
"The lads were great in the [Sheffield United] game, against a strong side and you could say it was a tough game to come back into, against a team who are likely to get promoted and it was a derby to add that, too.
"I was pleased with my own individual performance and the display from the team, too. The positive was that we got another good result against a strong side.
"We had the better chances in the first half, with Haks' header and Chieo's chance and they probably had the better of the second, it was an evenly matched game.
"They have some fantastic players at the top end of the pitch, so I think we did really well to nullify that, it gives us all confidence."
Hall arrived in the summer on a season-long loan deal from fellow second tier outfit Middlesbrough, in order to get more regular first team football under his belt.
For the Brighton-born operator, the opportunity to play week in week out was essential to the move and he took steps to ensure that his future was decided for the full campaign.
"When I first signed here back in the summer, I didn't want a recall clause to be included, I wanted to play and to know that I was settled where I am,” Hall explained.
"I wanted to have a full season, play as many games as possible and just focus on my football.
"That was my thought process and it has been good for me that I've been able to just concentrate on each game at a time, without the uncertainty.
"I think that has helped me in terms of my own performances, as well. I know it's a cliche, but I like to take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead.
"The last couple of months have been frustrating because of the injury, but I feel like I'm over the worst of that now and hopefully I can have a big part to play between now and the end of the season."
Matt Taylor’s men will be looking to continue their strong recent form when they visit the seaside to take on Blackpool this Saturday.
The Bloomfield Road outfit will be buoyed from their work in midweek, having picked up a valuable point against rivals Huddersfield Town, despite playing the majority of the game with a man less.
Hall enjoyed a loan spell with the Tangerines back in 2015 and whilst he admits it will be nice to go back, he’s under no illusions of the scale of the task ahead of the team.
"I'm looking forward to going back there, but we all know it will be a tough game against a team fighting for their lives and we know we're in a scrap with them.
"The term 'six-pointer' gets used a lot in football and I won't call it that, but I do feel like it's a big game for both sides.
"We know they will be a very tough opposition but we feel like we're in a good place at the moment and we're hoping that can continue."
