'That will give Sheffield Wednesday an edge' - Paul Warne on a draw that summed up Rotherham United's season

If Rotherham's 0-0 draw at Luton on Tuesday is to be the result that relegates them from the Championship, then it will probably be fitting.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne during the Sky Bet Championship match at Kenilworth Road, Luton.Rotherham United manager Paul Warne during the Sky Bet Championship match at Kenilworth Road, Luton.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne during the Sky Bet Championship match at Kenilworth Road, Luton.

The Millers were playing their final game in hand – their 11th game in 33 days – and had they won they would have climbed out of the bottom three going into Saturday's final game of the season.

But it was the age-old story for them at this level as they failed to put away their chances when they came along and were left short-changed.

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Michael Smith put a free header wide, Matt Crooks hit the post before planting a second-half header wide of the post when it seemed easier to score.

The upshot is that Rotherham's relegation fate is now out of their hands again.

They will be relegated if they do not win at Cardiff on Saturday and even that might not be enough if Derby draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

This was another example of what might have been for the Millers, who have been good enough performance-wise to be well clear of danger.

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Warne said: “That was possibly a pretty accurate summary of our season so far. There was loads of hard work, loads of organisation but we lacked a little bit of quality in the final third.

“I thought we created enough chances to win – as did Luton by the way, I’m not saying we deserved to. We just haven’t taken them.

“There were some brilliant crosses into the box and we should have got on the end of them, or we could have scored, but unfortunately, we didn’t.

“That sort of sums us up really. We’re one effort away from greatness.”

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Drawing at Luton does at least mean Rotherham know exactly what they have to do in south Wales.

“We were always going to have to win at least one game,” Warne added.

“We’ve taken away a point. If Wednesday and Derby manage a draw and we manage a win, then we give ourselves a chance.

“Wednesday now think if they win, they will think they can get out of it.

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“That will give them an edge – not that they wouldn’t have had one already. There are all of these connotations, my brain is popped at the moment but we just have to go [to Cardiff] and win.

“We can’t control the uncontrollables and we can’t affect what’s happening elsewhere. Saturday just matters about us working out a way to try and beat Cardiff.

“If we do that and fall short I don't know what criticism I can give the lads.”

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