Millers Head Coach Leam Richardson believes his side can take heart from the manner of their display at The Hawthorns, while paying tribute to Academy youngster Ben Hatton, who made his senior debut in Rotherham colours.
Richardson refused to be drawn on the controversial nature of The Baggies second goal on the stroke of half time – which saw John Swift net from the spot, after Lee Peltier was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball.
“I thought it was a good game. I enjoyed the game. The first goal was disappointing because we should have met them on the sides’ better. For any lack of concentration, good teams’ will punish you. I thought we responded to it very well and I thought we were a threat on the counter attack for most of the evening.
“We are trying to give a good account of ourselves and I feel we did that for large parts of the game.
“I’d rather speak about the lads’ effort levels from what has gone before in the last week or two to make themselves available and come to West Brom, who are in a really strong position. They have chucked on all of the artillery tonight and I thought we were good value in large parts of the game but goals change games. Outside influences can sometimes have an effect on games, too.
“My message at (half time) was to stay competitive and take the emotion out of it while keeping 11 men on the pitch and I thought we competed well.
“I’d rather concentrate on the positives. Congratulations to Ben Hatton for making his debut. It’s a fantastic achievement. His career has started and it’s the start of his journey.
“That’s what you work for. His hard work as a footballer starts now. He is going to go into a dressing room, where they expect certain standards, and it will be great memories for him. I’m glad I was able to give him that. He was waiting a good few minutes on the touchline for the ball to go out of play.”
