Rotherham United get inventive to give themselves reasons to be cheerful says Lee Clark
ROTHERHAM UNITED manager Lee Clark saw more encouraging signs from his side during their 1-1 draw with Reading.
Clark’s arrival following the dismissal of Matt Hamshaw failed to turn Rotherham’s fortunes around and their relegation to League Two was rubber-stamped earlier this month.
The former Huddersfield Town boss has called for more in all departments during his spell in charge of the club and he felt improvements were on show for a large part of their draw with midtable Reading.
“It was really good in the first half and we created some terrific opportunities,” said Clark.
“We scored a great goal and could have had a couple more.
“We looked inventive. We probably deserved more than one goal but at least we are making some opportunities. That is improving in each game.”
A sluggish start to the second half was the only area he criticised.
“I think we are disappointed with how we played in the first 15 minutes of the second half,” he added.
“We came through that spell and got some fresh legs on.
“We created the better opportunities and if anyone was going to win it, it was probably going to be us but 1-1 is a fair result.”
Rotherham went in front thanks to a slick move involving Dru Yearwood and then Dan Gore who set Sam Nombe clear through to curl into the bottom corner.
The visitors struck back two minutes into the second half with Daniel Kyerewaa finishing beyond Ted Cann from Paddy’s Lane pass.
The home side had the better chances to nab the victory and Emmanuel Adegboyega came the closest when his header from Cohen Lee’s cross hit the woodwork.
Reading manager Leam Richardson – a former Millers boss – felt the draw was a fair result and explained his team selection was with next season in mind.
He said: “I felt the scoreline reflected the game. We were poor first half and the goal is poor.
“We did have a couple of big moments where we have got to be better.
“With all the injuries we’ve got, we are trying to compete and represent ourselves until the end of the season.”
Rotherham United: Cann, Rafferty, Adegboyega, Jules, Baptiste, Gore, Yearwood (Lee 62), Hall (Martha 62), Holmes (J Clarke 76), Gray, Nombe. Unused substitutes: Childs, Duncan, Biancheri, Hugill.
Reading: Pereira, Burns, O'Connor, Dorsett (Ritchie 84), Nyambe, Wing, Fraser, Roberts (Abrefa 89), Kyerewaa, Lane (Osho 81), Ehibhatiomhan (Patton 88). Unused substitutes: Norcott, Stickland, Howard.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire).