Barker ‘Better Than Tuesday Night’

Rotherham United’s Assistant Manager Richie Barker thought today’s two-one win away at Crewe was a much ‘improved showing’ over previous games.

Speaking after the game Richie told iFollow that he thought the team looked ‘more like themselves’ in the first half.

‘It was a good start to the game and a good finish from Conor (Washington) in the first minute,’ Richie said. ‘Grant Hall had a good forty-five minutes and I think he enjoyed it. We have to be patient with him, build him up slowly to try and keep him fit. We were really pleased with him, he is a good communicator, knows the game and a younger Woody (Richard Wood) really.

‘We haven’t lost a pre-season game and I know they were against League Two sides but they were all away from home and getting yourselves in the frame of mind not to lose is important. The fitness levels and effort, mentality and organisation were far better today than they were the other night (at Doncaster).’

Ollie Rathbone left the field early with a tight thigh, the Millers not wanting to risk further injury. He will be assessed on Monday with hope that he will be back in training the following day.

Asked about Chieo Ogbene’s absence Richie said that he hadn’t trained since Tuesday due to illness.