'I love this club until the day I leave this earth': Rotherham United boss Steve Evans on fan criticism after derby loss at Barnsley

UNDER-pressure Rotherham United manager Steve Evans says he has no issue with disgruntled Millers supporters turning on him and his players after a dismal derby defeat at Barnsley.

The Millers were second best for the vast majority of the game at Oakwell and supporters rounded on his side and the Scot in the second half as the mood among the 3,000 supporters in the away end turned ugly after Barnsley’s killer second goal in the 2-0 win.

Some Millers fans joined in after chants of ‘Sacked in the morning' started among home followers in the Pontefract Road end and a chorus of ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ arrived at the final whistle.

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On criticism from fans, Evans said: “I think they have a point when we are losing games. I’ve never been one to criticise supporters, Ultimately they come to watch our club and pay their wages. So I have to be respectful and say that’s a bit of a relapse after last week, to be fair.

Rotherham United manager Steve Evans. Picture: Tony Johnson.Rotherham United manager Steve Evans. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Rotherham United manager Steve Evans. Picture: Tony Johnson.

"Even at half-time, they were giving us a bit and I’m thinking that for the first 20 minutes, we’ve been really good.

"But listen, I am one of those who is never going to disrespect a Rotherham United fan because I love this club until the day I leave this earth and I have said it when I wasn’t here.

"They can know for a fact that when we get home tonight, I won’t sleep and I hurt equally as much as anyone (Rotherham fan) on the planet.

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"I’m the manager. I’ve been sat at Celtic Park and been critical of managers. You take the acclaim when it’s good and at every South Yorkshire club, you are going to get a bit when they are not happy with what they are watching.”

Offering his take on the game, he added: “We started the game really well and I think for the first 20 minutes, we were the better side and the Milers supporters were on their feet because they were suddenly seeing a really good performance.

"Then, for some reason, we almost flick a switch and concede a goal from a set-play and we’ve got outmuscled, like we have a couple of times this season and then until half-time, it got difficult for us.

"In the second half, we missed a huge chance. Goals change games in every level of football and we missed a huge chance. I don’t think the goalkeeper knew anything about it. But we should score.

"Then, we got into a bit of a Groundhog situation.”

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