Rotherham United’s self-belief crucial for Millers to build on solid start, says Ben Wiles

After four league games, the Millers have picked up five points from the first 12 on offer, although that total could have been more.

Paul Warne’s side would have been four points better off at this stage but for two stoppage-time equalisers in their last two outings against Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town respectively.

The Millers face a tough run of fixtures after the international break as they host Norwich City, then travel to Nottingham Forest – who appointed Chris Hughton as manager on Tuesday – and high-flying Reading.

Rotherham’s last stint in the second tier was short-lived, as they were relegated back to League One after only one season.

“It’s a very difficult league and some of our boys have not played in it until this season,” said Wiles.

“I played a small percentage of games two seasons ago and it’s nice that I’ll hopefully play a bigger percentage this year. There are some great teams in the Championship.

“We need to believe in ourselves more. People don’t see us in training and the patterns of play we can do, we need to replicate that during games.

“That will come with confidence. We have difficult games coming up after the break but we proved in League One we can perform against the big teams and we’re capable of also doing it at this level.”

Rotherham’s draw with Huddersfield came as a blow as they conceded in the sixth minute of time added on at the New York Stadium last weekend. That disappointment came a week after the Millers conceded a late penalty at Birmingham and Wiles feels it is something that they need to address.

“It is an occurring thing now and we take it back to the drawing board, assess it and work on it,” he continued.

“A lot of it comes from us giving the ball away. I am to blame for that as well, there were times when I was tired and I gave it away which I shouldn’t have. If I had kept it, we might have got up the pitch and scored a second goal.

“We can’t keep dwelling on the fact that happened, it was an unlucky thing to happen.”

Rotherham have conceded just three times in four games this season. That highlights a much-improved return in defence, with Warne’s side conceding 83 goals in 42 games during their last campaign in the Championship.

Wiles said: “We have not been cut up yet, we have not conceded lots of goals so there are some positives to take from the performance against Huddersfield as well.

“We can’t keep defending for 45 minutes, we can’t keep letting them have chances, we have got to be better up the field.

“We need to secure our passes and I am at fault for a couple of them but it’s difficult when you’re tired.”

Wiles scored his first goal of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with the Terriers, firing the ball into the corner of the net from 25 yards.

He has featured in all of the Millers’ league games so far this term and is happy to play wherever he is needed by his manager.

“I just want to play as much football as I can even if he plays me in goal, I will still do a job,” he added.

“Football is my passion and I just want to keep playing, playing and playing.

“It is frustrating sometimes when you are in a position you are not used to but if I am getting in the team I am happy.

“I will keep giving my all in every position.”

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Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.