Matt Hamshaw hails 'a Rotherham United performance' after stunning 4-0 rout of Exeter City
Matt Hamshaw lauded “a Rotherham United performance” after his side completed a 4-0 rout of Exeter City.
The Millers have been languishing in the League One relegation zone but lifted spirits in midweek with a 2-1 win over Northampton Town.
Proving it was not a flash in the pan was to be the test and it was one Rotherham passed with flying colours.
Hamshaw’s men dismantled the Grecians at St James Park, claiming an emphatic win after goals from Jamal Baptiste, Joe Rafferty, Harry Gray and Shaun McWilliams.
Matt Hamshaw lauds Rotherham United display
Hamshaw said: “It was an unbelievable performance, this is not an easy place to come. They have had four clean sheets on the bounce here. I am a real big fan of the way they play the game, they are a well-supported club that get behind their team.
“I felt that our game plan was spot on. We felt that if we could stop them from playing in certain areas, we could get something.
“I saw them play at Huddersfield recently and thought they should have won that game, they play good football and have some good players.
“We dealt with that really well and I said all along that we need more of a threat up front. Harry got his goal, but I thought Sam Nombe stretched their defence quite a lot and it is nice to score four goals.
“It was a Rotherham United performance. I have spoken to the team about togetherness and effort and that accountability we need to take – not just the players, but me as manager and the staff as well.
“I’d have taken seven points from nine before this run, but I am a little disappointed not to take all nine as I felt we should have beaten Wimbledon.”
Gary Caldwell reflects
Exeter boss Gary Caldwell, on the other hand, was left to admit his side were not at the races.
He said: “We made a good start, but were a little bit slow in our play to create as many chances as we would have liked.
“We had possession and had control and pinned them back, which we knew we would – and we knew they would be a threat on the counter-attack.
“The intensity and speed in our game wasn’t there and as the half went on I thought they grew into the game and became more dominant and for the rest of the game they were the better team.
“We knew the way they were going to set up and how they were going to hurt us. They were better at it on the day and they fully deserved to win. If you drop your standards for any period at this level, then you will get punished.
“We weren’t good enough, Rotherham were better than us and we have to react in a really positive way at Mansfield next week.”