'I messed up' - Rotherham United boss Paul Warne's honest assessment following Stoke City defeat

After giving everything they have got to outplay and overrun Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, their reward was a trip to Stoke three days later.

Thanks a lot.

The Millers simply have no room for manoeuvre in this division, they have to be at it every time they play if they have any chance of taking the points.

Unfortunately they were unable repeat their Wednesday night performance at Stoke as they were still feeling the effects of that derby win, with boss Paul Warne calling them “undercooked”.

They were not swept aside by another team with a oversized budget, but they did go down to a 1-0 loss.

Warne has regrets about not making more than the two changes, but he will also have regrets about the manner of the goal they conceded.

It was route one, something his side are usually strong at dealing with, but not on this occasion.

Potters goalkeeper Angus Gunn's goal-kick was flicked on, which allowed James McLean to burst through and lob Jamal Blackman.

As so often, the Millers struggled to create clear-cut chances with Mickel Millers' cross-shot which drifted just over their best moment.

Yet, Warne still felt is side did enough to justify a point.

“It wasn't a classic, it was a little bit after the Lord Mayor's Show on Wednesday, Stoke played Tuesday,” Warne said. “I honestly think 24 hours makes a big difference in the recovery, they just looked sharper and stronger than us.

“I can't fault my lads' effort, I messed up, I should have made more changes to freshen my team up so I apologise for that. But I don't want to make too many changes when they played well in midweek so I am caught between a rock and a hard place.

“I thought we were OK between boxes but we didn't create enough, but I don't think Stoke created enough against us either to justify their win. I

“t is disappointing that we have come here to win and worst case take a point and we have ended up not taking anything.

“It is disappointing but it shows how far we have come that we are coming to places like Stoke and not taking anything home with us.”