After blowing a 10-point lead, everything was criticized, including the mentality and fighting of the players.
But those doubts were unequivocally dispelled with a huge victory over Oxford on Saturday, just when it was needed most.
The Millers overcame the worst possible start to come from behind and claim a 2-1 win that effectively puts them one win away from automatic promotion.
Should they beat Sunderland or Gillingham in their last two games, only an unlikely variation in goal difference will see MK Dons take them back to second place.
It cannot be ruled out that the Millers could still win the league after Wigan also stuttered.
If they can get the job done over the next six days, this win will be one of the biggest in the promotion race.
Four losses in their last five games had left the Millers staring at the distinct possibility of qualifying for the play-offs after occupying the top spot for so much of the season.
There was no doubting the significance of the game against Oxford, who still had their own ambitions as they were chasing a place in the top six.
The tension at New York’s AESSEAL Stadium was palpable and only escalated in the 11th minute when Dan Barlaser crossed his own net.
But the Millers rallied and found the perfect moment to equalize as Rarmani Edmonds-Green headed in Ben Wiles’ cross as half-time approached.
It was a real change of team talk and Warne’s men walked off the pitch to a rousing reception.
They responded after the break with the type of performance that left you wondering what the previous six weeks had been like.
It was Rotherham at their best, the team that had seen them threaten to run away with the league over the winter and a performance that, if they can replicate in one of their last two games, will surely see them through. earn a promotion.
Their efforts were rewarded midway through the second half when Chiedozie Ogbene was fouled in the penalty area and Barlaser was pocketed from the right side, crushing from 12 yards out.
That was enough to seal the victory and went a long way to rebuilding the bond between the team and the fans, a bond that had weakened in recent weeks.
Warne said: “When it looks like a game to be won, it’s better to score a goal after 10 minutes rather than 70.
“Oxford was a bit more direct than expected.
“They kept changing us. Sometimes you can want something so badly that you can want it too much and it can cloud your judgment.
“Sometimes football is simple. It’s not about tactics, it’s about working harder than the opposition, like Chieo did to win the penalty.
“Other players – not our players – might have thought he was going out for a goal kick and left him but didn’t give up.
“He won the penalty that keeps our season buzzing for the next game. I don’t want it to sound disrespectful, but in the second half I just thought we had more in us than the opposition.
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Source: www.thestar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-24 09:31:49
