'Proud' Paul Warne takes positives from Rotherham United's defeat at Watford

The Millers slumped to their seventh loss in nine Championship games in front of 2,000 fans at Vicarage Road as the Hornets wrapped the game up with two goals in the opening 15 minutes.

Christian Kabasele and Troy Deeney were the grateful recipients of defensive howlers to leave Warne's side with an impossible mountain to climb.

It follows a worrying recent trend, when in each of their last four away games they have been out of the match by half-time.

Warne, who is beginning to come under pressure from a frustrated fanbase, was more enthused about a second-half display against a team who are on a different financial level to his side.

“Obviously, I didn’t like the start of the game, a sliced clearance and a set-piece we'd worked on so I’m hugely disappointed with the two goals we conceded,” the Millers boss said.

“I thought Watford started the game really strongly but the lads rallied really well and we grew into the game.

“But we were 2-0 down and the start killed us. Second half we were excellent to a man, and let's not kid ourselves where we are.”

While fans on social media were criticising Warne and his side's display, the boss himself was left proud.

“I was really proud of the performance and I said to the lads that if we play like we did for 70 minutes against any other team and we will come away with something,” he added.

“Icky (Michael Ihiekwe) had a chance in the second half, (Matt) Crooksy was outstanding, as were (Ben) Wilsey and Vass (Kyle Vassell).

“There were some good performances, I go away from the ground disappointed with the result but not the performance.

“The way we played tonight will stand us in good stead for Saturday.”

There is no let up for the Millers as they host Bristol City at weekend – another team with promotion ambitions.

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