Paul Warne pulls no punches after Rotherham United beaten up

ROTHERHAM uNITED manager Paul Warne held his hand up after a sixth defeat in eight matches.
On target: Coventry City's Leo Ostigard celebrates scoring his side's third goal.On target: Coventry City's Leo Ostigard celebrates scoring his side's third goal.
On target: Coventry City's Leo Ostigard celebrates scoring his side's third goal.

“They were superior to us in every department which hurts me to say,” said the Millers chief.

Early goals from Max Biamou and Tyler Walker set Coventry on course for victory at St Andrew’s as they won the battle of the promoted sides to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

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Leo Ostigard’s second-half header secured the points before Daniel Barlaser’s late penalty earned the Millers a consolation after Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson caught Kyle Vassell.

Warne, a former team-mate of Coventry manager Mark Robins, continued: “It was a bad day. Their victory, although we missed chances late on, could have been greater.

“I thought we started really well and looked well in the ascendancy. Then one ball in causes confusion with the centre-halves and we just didn’t defend it and after that we were on a rocky road.

“It’s not like us to be beaten up a little bit but I thought today we were.

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“I was happy to get in at half-time at 2-0 because it could have been more and at the start of the second half there was a bit more drive and effort.

“But I honestly didn’t think we were going to score. We weren’t creating enough chances. Overall the result probably flatters us.

“I said to the lads after the game that I would do anything for them and I expect it back. I just didn’t think that we were aggressive enough. I can handle losing, I don’t like it – but I can’t handle a poor performance.”

Robins insisted his Sky Blues have not “cracked” the Championship yet despite extending their unbeaten run to five games.

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“The three points were a big, big three points for us. From a confidence point of view, and the fact that we’ve gone five unbeaten, it’s very pleasing.

“Wins breed confidence, unbeaten runs breed confidence but I’m not saying we’ve cracked it because this league is unforgiving – unless you’re right on it, you don’t win.

“We’re just making our way, nobody gets carried away – you can’t because this league is difficult and the games are coming that thick and fast.”

Coventry City: Wilson, Ostigard, McFadzean, Hyam, Dabo, Hamer, Kelly; McCallum, Walker (Bakayoko 78), Biamou, O’Hare. Unused substitutes: Allen, Jobello, Sheaf, Pask, Giles, Camp, Shipley, Rowe.

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Rotherham United: Blackman, Ihiekwe, Wood (Olosunde 46), Angus MacDonald; Wiles, Harding, Lindsay (Vassell 66), Crooks, Mattock (Barlaser 46); Ladapo (Hirst 54), Smith (Jozefzoon 80). Unused substitutes: Johansson, Jones, Thompson, Clarke.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).

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