Rotherham United: Warnock fired up for tough Millers run

Defiant boss Neil Warnock looked ahead to a daunting run of fixtures and then claimed none of the big guns lying in wait for Rotherham United will relish the prospect of facing his side.
Neil Warnock celebrates victory over BrentfordNeil Warnock celebrates victory over Brentford
Neil Warnock celebrates victory over Brentford

The Millers breathed new life into their fight for Championship survival by beating Brentford 2-1last weekend and make the short trip to Sheffield on Saturday for the derby with Wednesday before entertaining Middlesbrough and Derby County and then travelling to Ipswich Town.

“We have got tough games coming up. But they will be tough for our opponents,” the manager said. “Let’s enjoy it.”

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Third-bottom Rotherham cut the gap between them and 21st-placed MK Dons to three points as goals from Matt Derbyshire and Danny Ward helped them overcome referee Mark Brown’s poor decision to award the Bees a penalty at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

“To get three points just gets us back in the mix,” said Warnock after his fourth match in charge. “I think we were superb against all the odds and decisions.I thought we were fabulous. The players couldn’t have given any more.”

Warnock was lured out of retirement last month to lead the Millers’ safety bid and last Saturday’s full-blooded clash made the 67-year-old realise why he’d decided to return to the hot-seat.

“That’s what football is about, crosses, tackles, headers, referee decisions,” he said. “I do miss that when I am sat at home fishing. It was just great and exciting for me on the bench and that’s why I have come back. Things like that, you can’t replicate.

Neil Warnock contests the penalty verdictNeil Warnock contests the penalty verdict
Neil Warnock contests the penalty verdict
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“The reason I enjoy it is because of the Championship being like it is. I am used to going for the play-offs and trying to get promotion. You always come unstuck against the teams at the bottom. I think we can be a coupon-buster in the next few weeks.”

Brentford left-back Jake Bidwell, booked for persistent fouling against Greg Halford, claimed Rotherham had performed “like a rugby team”.

“Playing against a player who is 6ft 5in and I can’t get hold of him, how am I supposed to deal with it?” he asked.

“You’ve got to find a way of dealing with it. I don’t think I was doing much wrong. They used the players they’ve got and, at the end of the day, it’s worked for them as they’ve won the game.

Greg Halford and Jake BidwellGreg Halford and Jake Bidwell
Greg Halford and Jake Bidwell
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“I don’t think that’s the way we want to play, but we’ve got to be big enough and good enough to impose our game on teams that want to play like that.”

Meanwhile, the Millers have pegged season-ticket prices for the fourth year running.

Even if the club retain their second-tier status, adult passes start at £355 for early renewal and full prices peak at £460, while there is a new concessionary band for fans aged between 18 and 21.

Supporters have until April 15 to take advantage of discount offers.

Full details can be found at www.themillers.co.uk