Paul Warne challenges Rotherham United to replicate intensity against ‘lesser teams’

The Millers chief has always been a big believer in good performances being eventually rewarded by way of points, with his side’s displays against the much-fancied duo of Bournemouth and Brentford giving him hope.

But Warne has added a caveat by insisting the Millers need to show the same proficiency and intensity in games against like-minded teams – a pertinent point ahead of Saturday’s key trip to Mark Robins’s Coventry City.

He said: “We have played Bournemouth and Brentford and they are pretty much at the (highest) level really and if you can go toe to toe with them, fair play.

“What we cannot have is an ‘After the Lord Mayor’s show’ where they get themselves up for – in their eyes – big games and not when we play other teams.

“They just need to keep those levels of performance up and they will get the results they deserve and then at the end of the season, you end up finishing where your ability allows.”

Tuesday’s loss was Warne’s fourth on the spin against Brentford, but it was much less one-sided than the previous three.

Taking solace from that very fact, he added: “Five months ago, this team nearly got promoted to the Premier League and we were playing Rochdale away (in the last game pre-lockdown). That shows how far the lads have come.

“I was disappointed with the result, but not the performance.

“I said to my staff that the first 45 was the best 45 minutes we have had against Brentford. We normally come in at half-time thinking it could be seven.”

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