IAN Sharps knows how painful it is to be relegated, reason enough why the towering defender is determined to guide Rotherham away from the bottom of League Two.
The Millers have made an impressive start to their 2008-9 campaign, overhauling an unwanted 17-point deficit in just nine games.
But Sharps, like his manager Mark Robins, believes the job has only just begun as the club try and push their way up the table.
"We couldn't have really asked for any more so far this season," admitted 27-year-old Sharps.
"We always knew we had a good squad this season, but you still have to go out and perform on the pitch. We're been very consistent this season."
Indeed, one loss in 13 matches in all competitions and eight goals in their last two games tells it's own story.
However, Sharps, who signed a new deal with the Millers earlier this year, is hungry to extend that impressive start – and even push for the play-offs sometime in the future.
One of the few surviving members of the 2006-07 squad which was relegated from League One, Sharps said: "That relegation is still painful now, it's not something I'd like to experience again.
"We shouldn't have gone that season. We played really well for half of the season, but our form dipped. But I still don't believe we played badly enough to deserve getting relegated.
"We're got a great squad here, but we all know that we can't be complacent. It's fantastic that we've managed to get into a positive points position so quickly, but the hard work has only just begun."
And Sharps is delighted Millers' fans finally have something smile about after some difficult seasons recently.
"It's good for the fans that we're doing well in the league, but also because we're having a good run in two cups. They deserve something to smile about because they've probably had five years of depression.
"Every game you win helps with confidence – and winning becomes a habit, just like losing becomes a habit.
"The manager (Robins] has told us all to keep our feet firmly on the ground and make sure we work hard in every game. We're under pressure now because other teams know how well we've started, but we're all enjoying the challenge. Everyone is very confident."
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MOREFootball headlinesMore MillersMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categories The full article contains 419 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
