'Worst 45 minutes of the season' sees Rotherham United lose to Swansea

Rotherham manager Paul Warne said his side's worst 45 minutes of the season cost them in a 1-0 defeat at Swansea.
Swansea City's Matt Grimes (no.8 top) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.  Nick Potts/PA Wire.Swansea City's Matt Grimes (no.8 top) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.  Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Swansea City's Matt Grimes (no.8 top) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea. Nick Potts/PA Wire.

The Millers were well below par in south Wales and succumbed to Ashley Grimes' 28th-minute goal, which came courtesy of a blunder by recalled goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

Blackman was thrown straight back into the starting XI after returning from parent club Chelsea, where he had spent the international break receiving treatment on an ankle injury.

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Warne gave him the gloves, ahead of Viktor Johansson who had impressed in Blackman's absence, but he watched on as the Chelsea loanee was at fault for the decisive goal.

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne after the Sky Bet Championship match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.   Nick Potts/PA Wire.Rotherham United manager Paul Warne after the Sky Bet Championship match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.   Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne after the Sky Bet Championship match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea. Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Blackman allowed Grimes' shot to squirm under his body just before the half-hour.

It came through a sea of bodies, but it was a save he should have made.

Another piece of risky goalkeeping allowed Swansea the chance in front of an open goal after he raced out on to the byline to retrieve a ball but was beaten to it, but escaped as Jamal Lowe hit the post.

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Those errors were part of what Warne said was a seasonal low.

“I thought first half we were as poor as we have been this season,” he said. “That is down to me, I pick the team, it's on my shoulders.

“I don't think we were like us, we didn't win enough 50-50s, we didn't win enough headers, we didn't play with enough confidence, we weren't really loud. If you watched the game you probably heard my voice more than anyone's. So I am frustrated with the first-half performance. I am not here to hammer the lads but I thought we were not as good as we can be.

“I thought the subs came on and had a real positive impact. We came here expecting our team to win, but we came here and under-performed and still nearly got a draw.

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“I am not trying to paper over the cracks, I was disappointed in the first half, but take something from the second half.”

Indeed, Rotherham came away thinking they were unlucky not to get a point after they were denied a penalty in the final five minutes, when referee Matt Donohoue opted not to penalise a handball by Ryan Bennett which stopped Michael Smith's header going in.

Warne said: “If you watch the game back I would be amazed if people think that is not a handball, his arm is away from his body. I spoke to the ref and he said that his arm is in a natural position, it definitely is not.

“The fact there is someone on the line is irrelevant, I am not asking to send him off, I am asking for a penalty.”