Paul Warne disappointed in himself despite leaders Rotherham’s win over Burton

Posted Sunday, February 02, 2020 by PA

Rotherham manager Paul Warne has told his players to perform better even though they kept hold of top spot with a battling 3-2 win against Burton.

The Millers have now won their last five home league games and held on to top spot with the hard-earned three points but Warne was not happy afterwards and blamed his own team selection.

Both sides lost the lead within minutes of taking it in an open and entertaining encounter.

Jamie Murphy’s opener was swiftly cancelled out by Michael Smith in the first half.

Smith’s header then gave Rotherham a perfect start to the second before Oliver Sarkic silenced the home fans with a powerful finish just moments later.

Burton should have gone in front but Lucas Akins blew a huge chance from close range – which was seen as a key moment by both managers.

Birthday boy Freddie Ladapo struck the final blow just moments after he had entered the fray from the bench.

Warne said: “I picked the team and got it wrong and I’m disappointed in myself.

“They’re not dancing around in the dressing room. They’re pleased they’ve won but they know they have got away with one.

“I thought we created enough chances to win comfortably. I’m not best pleased. I thought we were poor. We will not keep winning if we keep up that performance level.

“I thought we looked lacklustre. It’s my fault. I think I should have made more changes from Tuesday night. I think it emotionally drained a few of them.

“If you can learn from a victory then it’s a good thing.

“Freddie is the one who is smiling the most with a goal on his birthday.

“The fans were good and stayed with the team. The game could have easily gone the other way if Akins’ chance goes the other way.

“The character of the boys to get the win is the impressive part.”

Burton manager Nigel Clough was pleased with his side’s performance despite the loss.

He said: “We are close. Sometimes you need a little break here or there of your own making.

“Lesser teams would not have punished as much as Rotherham did. When you are playing at the top of the league, and they’re the standard at the moment, when you do make a little mistake you’re punished.

“We played exceptionally well at the league leaders and created many chances. We got punished for a couple of errors and that’s it. That was the difference in the game.

“It doesn’t detract from the performance at all. We were very, very good for the whole game.

“The chance Lucas misses at 2-2. He knows he has to score that and when we got 1-0 ahead, within two minutes we have given them an equaliser by giving the ball away unnecessarily.

“I think they were two absolute key moments in the game.”