Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne thought his team deserved three points today at the Cardiff City Stadium but a late goal saw them get just one which meant relegation.
Speaking to Quest after the one-all draw the Millers Boss said he felt a ‘little bit hollow’ saying, ‘The dressing room is devastated. I’ve thanked them all for their hard work. I thought the players made it really hard today for an unbelievable Cardiff side and my ‘keeper didn’t have many saves to make today. I can’t ask any more from my team except for maybe to take a chance or two.
‘ By conceding so late on it doesn’t allow you to really react. We didn’t clear from a throw-in and it went in, I couldn’t believe it when it went in. I thought our performance was worthy of a win and that’s probably the microcosm of our season where we’ve created plenty of chances and not taken enough.
If we’d have come away from here with a three-nil drubbing then I’d have thought we aren’t good enough for this standard but I honestly don’t believe that. I wanted the lads to remember this day for the right reasons, leave as heroes but, unfortunately, now they won’t. But that isn’t through lack of effort or determination it’s that little bit of quality we just missed to take a chance or two.
‘I’ve been griping about bad luck for a while and it looked like on the one day we need everything to go our way it felt like it may do.’
Letting his emotion show the Gaffer asked if he’d be happy to see the end of this season given what happened with the covid in the camp and having so many games is such little times, he said, ‘I’ve enjoyed watching our lads perform, being with my coaches and staff but emotionally,’ he carried on with tears in his eyes, ‘ it’s been tough.’
Asked if he was up for the challenge of carrying on next season Warne said, ‘Standing here now, no. I’m exhausted. I want to manage this football team but I’ve nothing more to give today. We will reconvene next week, lick our wounds look at any contract issues and try and recruit another side and go again’
It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see many of this group of players still playing in the Championship next season – it’s just a pity it won’t be in a Millers shirt.