Rotherham United’s ‘wardrobe on legs’ Matt Crooks wins Championship award

That the attacking midfielder was named Championship player of the month for January highlights the important part he has played as the Millers have pulled out of the Championship relegation zone.

His manager Warne is giving all the credit to the player, but also thinks his surroundings have helped.

“If a player plays well or badly 90 per cent of it is him,” stressed Warne. “When he first came in he had a really good start to his Rotherham career in the Championship, he could obviously play at the level, he scored lots of goals. Last season he was integral to our season.

“This season I believe the off-season speculation definitely affected him so he started a bit sluggishly but he’s in good physical shape, really well coached and he knows his role in this team.

“This team in this (3-5-1-1) shape 100 per cent suits him.

“If you play Crooksy in a two in the middle of the park he’s a little bit like my Labrador, he just wants to go everywhere the ball goes so allowing him to play this 9/10 role and giving him the freedom of the park when we have possession of the ball just suits his game.

“I just think the system’s allowed Crooksy to play the best version of himself. To play him in a free role, and to play up front with arguably his best mate at the club (Michael Smith) has definitely aided his performances but I don’t think it’s as much to do with the staff at the club as with him.

“He’s the one who drives himself to train hard, he’s the one he makes sure he sleeps and eats well, so all the credit should go to him.”

Asked about the qualities of the 27 year-old, who scored three times in January, Warne said: “His performances have been very good, as have everybody else’s in fairness.

“He is a wardrobe on legs – a big unit, bless him, but he’s mobile, he’s a good footballer with a really good relationship with Smudge (Smith).

“He’s a great human, a really, really good kid.

“He’s helped a couple of our friends’ kids out recently with conversations with them about certain things that have happened to him.

“His performances have driven the team to good results. He’s part of the team but a very essential part.”

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