Alex Bruce: Sharper Rotherham United got second-half reward at York City
Alex Bruce felt Rotherham United were rewarded for sharpening up on the ball when they faced York City in the Football League Trophy.
The Millers came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw in the group stage encounter at York's Community Stadium, then converted all their penalties to win the shoot-out 5-4.
They had been second best for nearly an hour, trailing to Zech Medley's first-half header, but grew after finding the net through Sheffield United loanee Jili Bubayu. Coach Bruce believed there was an important reason for that.
"I felt as if our shape was good, first half," he said after sending his side out in a 4-4-2. "I felt as if the compactness between the team was there. We changed the system a little bit.
"I just felt that on the turnover we were a bit sloppy in possession. That was the main message at half-time. We got better with that in the second half. Once we started controlling the football, we looked all right."
Bruce made nine changes from the weekend game at Northampton Town, the only problem being that the two he retained - Ewan Otoo and Fabio Tavares - both went off injured in the first half.
But Bruce felt some of his fringe players made good cases for themselves.
"You want competition for places," he said. "I said to the players before the game, I was thinking about putting a few young lads in, players who've come through the academy.
"But I think it's important that when you are a new squad like we are, where we're still getting to know one another, you try to keep the first-team group as solid and as stable and together as you can. You try to build a little bit of momentum.
"I feel as if we've done that."
On the injuries, he added: "Neither look particularly good. We'll have to assess them. That was the big black mark on the night. Let's just hope the issues aren't as serious as we are fearing."