Warne savours return to top form as Rotherham rout Posh

Posted Monday, December 30, 2019 by PA

Rotherham manager Paul Warne hailed his side’s best performance of the season as they swept aside promotion rivals Peterborough 4-0.

Though both teams finished the match with 10 men, Rotherham ran out comfortable winners with a display of real authority.

Frankie Kent was sent off for two yellows and Joe Mattock’s loss of temper, when he forced his head into Ivan Toney’s face for a straight red card, was the only real negative for Rotherham.

The Millers netted four times in the second half, first through Richard Wood’s header before own goals from Daniel Butler and then Joe Ward and a stunning acrobatic effort by former Peterborough man Kyle Vassell rounded off a miserable day for Posh.

Warne said: “We were a bit more like us and it was more of a Rotherham performance.

“I’m not getting too giddy with the table as it’s close. I think there will be loads and loads of changes between now and the end of the season. Hopefully we should be there or thereabouts.

“I’m just more pleased about how we played. I thought in the first half we played okay but turned down opportunities to cross it.

“In the second half we asked more of their back four. We got a bit of luck here and there but to win is nice.

“It was more about the fact we played really well and the way we wanted to play. I think we will get confidence from that.

“Even if we hadn’t won, it just felt more like my team. It was my favourite performance of the season but not because of the scoreline.”

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson bemoaned a second heavy defeat over Christmas and hailed Rotherham as being much the better side.

He said: “They were superior in all departments. In every single department you could imagine, they were far superior to us.

“We were miles off it as a team. If it hadn’t been for Mark Beevers, it could have been a lot more. I thought he was outstanding at the back. I couldn’t put any blame on him.

“They had far too much for us. The big thing for me is to pass the ball. We weren’t brave enough. We didn’t get a first pass off and they kept pressing us.

“Credit to them. They have dominated the game. The manner and way in which we have lost the game is very, very disappointing.

“We were miles away off the ball and miles away on the ball. Those are the two things that matter.

“On the ball we didn’t pass it and played right into Rotherham’s hands and allowed them to press us. Off the ball, set-pieces caused us a real problem.”