Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne was obviously pleased with the three points against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday but seemed a little disappointed in how his side played saying they’d played ‘better in the previous games’.
And he wasn’t wrong.
Goalkeeper Marek Rodak seemed to have the jitters, especially in the second half, and it was thanks to his defenders that we didn’t concede more than the two. But then he made a couple of saves so you can’t be too hard on the lad.
Skipper Will Vaulks always gives his all and, in my mind, is well worth the armband. But I did think he gave the ball away sloppily on Saturday. I can’t moan about Vaulks his long throws won us the game in a roundabout way and he was in the game all afternoon.
Semi Ajayi scored two great headers and was awarded the ‘Sponsors Man of the Match’ at the ground. A couple of stray passes though gave Rovers the ball when they’d more or less given it up. Hey, but he’s Semi and we love him! And, after all he won us the game.
Warne replaced Anthony Forde with Ryan Williams at half-time – in my opinion that was the right move.
His next substitution was taking Richie Towell off, who hadn’t had the best of game but then again I’ve seen him play worse. He was replaced by Ben Wiles who was like a breath of fresh air. The lad has no problems tackling, he has no problems taking the game by it’s horns and making the team go forward and he has no problem at having a shot.
Matt Crooks played OK when he came on for an injured Jon Taylor – I’d actually have like to see him start on Saturday and I’m not sure why he seems to be spending a lot of time on the bench.
I think Clark Robertson was my Man of the Match but I also think Billy Jones had a good game while Michael Ihiekwe and Joe Mattock, in my eyes, did nothing wrong and we can’t forget Semi Ajayi for his positioning for the two goals.
So, yes there were a few mistakes, a few faux pas but each player who made a mistake soon forgot about it and got on with their normal game – got in their right ‘head space’ if you want.
And, lest we forget, we WON the game! And, at this stage in the season and where we are in the league it’s all about the points and although I love watching the Millers play football at this time in the season I’d take a scruffy one-nil win anytime.
