Rotherham boss Warne wants continuous improvement

Posted Sunday, August 12, 2018 by PA

Boss Paul Warne feels Rotherham will continue to improve after they beat Ipswich 1-0 to register their first points back in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Millers snatched victory in the 90th minute thanks to Michael Smith’s strike following Anthony Forde’s free-kick.

It had been an even game up until the final five minutes when Rotherham began to look the more likely winners.

Warne again got the better of his former Rotherham teammate Paul Hurst, who managed Shrewsbury in last season’s League One play-off final loss to the Millers.

Warne said: “It was a tough game. The lads rode the first half. I thought we were better in the second half.

“To get a win in any which we can, I will take it. In the first half we got outplayed. We changed the shape at half time and I always think there is a chance we are going to score. It was very pleasing that we scored that late.

“The second half is never the same as the first half. If you stay in the game there’s always a chance you can nick it. The scoreline was kind to us.

“The lads will hopefully enjoy the feeling of winning.

“I think we will get better than what we were but the fact that we got three points is a joy. It gives them a lot of belief in themselves.”

The club dedicated the win to television star Barry Chuckle – real name Barry Elliott – who died last weekend and was a lifelong Rotherham fan, as well as being the club’s life president.

Rotherham fans sang his name during the win, while the two sets of supporters traded a chant of “to me, to you” – the famous catchphrase of Barry and brother Paul in their popular show ChuckleVision.

Warne is hopeful match winner Smith can score regularly in the Championship.

“He is a confidence player. In the second half his performance was excellent. He started become more of a threat when our shape got better. I’d like to think he will go on and score no end,” added Warne.

Meanwhile, Ipswich manager Hurst is calling for his side to put chances away.

He said: “It feels hard to take. In the dressing room you’re feeling disappointed to have not won the game and then to actually lose it is hard to take.

“I am disappointed with the result. The business is results. It’s nice to get performances but you want to get results hand in hand.

“The reason we didn’t win is because we didn’t score a goal.

“We are still learning but I will say that performance should have got three points.

“I think we had enough chances. We have got to make sure we have got a cutting edge to us.”