All-action midfielder Christ Tiehi is hoping that the relentless nature of the Sky Bet Championship fixture schedule can be used to his side’s advantage as they look to quickly atone for defeat at the weekend when they travel to Millwall on Wednesday night.
The summer signing has provided his new side with a rocksteady influence in the middle of the park and has featured in four of the Millers’ six Sky Bet Championship outings this season.
Following some respite during the international break, Tiehi and his Millers teammates now hurtle into the second fixture of a three-game week, which comes in the form of a trip to face the Lions at The Den.
Keen to right the wrongs of Saturday’s defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium, the Paris-born midfielder insists the Millers have no time to lick their wounds as they look to return to winning ways.
“We don’t have time to dwell on it because we go again on Wednesday,” Tiehi explained.
“We know we will have to be better to win and get three points away from home.
“I don’t think people realise how high a level it is. I played in France and in the Czech Republic and it is totally different here. I feel like if you can play well in the Championship, you can play well anywhere."
“I am interested to see how I can prove myself and see what I can achieve in the Championship.”
The long wait for a work permit meant that the former Slovan Liberec man had to be patient to ‘officially’ become a Rotherham United player and whilst he was able to link up with the squad at their Roundwood training base during that period, he was ineligible to register any match minutes.
That window did allow his manager Matt Taylor to communicate some key messages to his new recruit, but restrictions prevented him from joining in training with his new teammates.
Having now turned out five times in total in Rotherham United colours, Tiehi stressed that he is feeling stronger with each week that passes and is confident that he will continue to improve under the stewardship of the Millers boss
“In my first game I was possibly a little bit unfit because I hadn’t played the pre-season games but I feel like I’m getting better and better,” he revealed.
“I felt like the game at Huddersfield was the one I felt most physically fit in but I know that I can still push myself and do better."
“I’m really happy to be here and playing under Matt Taylor because since I first learned of the interest, he has been passionate about having me here. The work permit took a long time to get but he used that time to work with me and find ways for me to be better while I couldn’t play.
“I’m happy to be here because I know that I can progress under him.”