Nottm Forest v Rotherham United: Paul Warne feels good result is '˜just around corner' for Millers

INTERIM manager Paul Warne is urging Rotherham United to show no fear as they seek to prey upon the nerves of two sides hovering dangerously above the relegation zone in Nottingham Forest and Bristol City.

The Millers’ spirits may have been low following their weekend Championship derby loss to Barnsley, with Burton’s win at QPR leaving Warne’s side 11 points adrift of safety, but he has issued a rallying call to his players.

Granted, Rotherham’s away statistics are atrocious in 2016-17, with just one point picked up from a possible 42 this term.

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But Warne has been enthused by aspects of their recent performances at Newcastle and Leeds and with the pressure firmly on Forest and the Robins when they host the Millers, he believes that his side can exploit an avenue of opportunity. Warne, whose side visit Bristol on Saturday following tonight’s trip to Forest, said: “We will send them out with no fear and they have got to go out there like gladiators and give everything like I have always asked them to. If they lose and the result is not good, then I will still look them in the eye.

“Prior to these three games, I was thinking that if we could come away with six points, I would be buzzing.

“With us losing (on Saturday) and Burton winning, the league does not look amazing.

“I don’t want to be critical of the group as they are playing the way I asked them to play and playing to the maximum. Away from home, we have not been as great, but I think a good result is around the corner.”

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The Millers have not triumphed at the City Ground in 12 attempts since April 1955.

But they face a club in turmoil in Forest, who suffered a fresh blow yesterday when their efforts to bring back ‘prodigal son’ Nigel Clough to the club as manager came to nothing, with the 50-year-old electing to stay at Burton.

The East Midlands club have won just once in their past 10 matches in all competitions.

Warne said: “If you look at them as names on a piece of paper, they should be doing better.”

Last six games: Notitngham Forest LLLDWL Rotherham LLLWLL.

Referee: S Hooper (Wiltshire).

Last time: Nottingham Forest 2 Rotherham 1; August 15, 2015; Championship.