Brentford 5 Rotherham United 1: Baptism of fire for the Millers

Swansea City are leading the way to sign midfield man Ryan Woods and Millers manager Paul Warne admitted he was relieved to see him missing from the teamsheet.

However, the Millers were still outclassed and Warne said: “This was a cold splash of water in our face.

“We played against a very good footballing side, which was not an ideal first fixture back in the Championship. They fully deserved the win and were by far the better team in every dimension.

“This is the standard. When you’re promoted you have a honeymoon spell over the summer and maybe us coming here and being outperformed is the eye-opener we needed.

“The big positive is that we don’t have to come back here again this season. They are a great team who will turn plenty of sides over. They are good players individually and that’s why they are rated as high as £15m.”

Warne was pleased with his side’s attitude, though, saying: “They gave me everything, but collectively we weren’t good enough to cause them problems.

“This is a much better standard than League One. Brentford weren’t putting alehouse balls in, their movement was great and it’s very difficult to deal with. But even when we were losing we kept trying to score a goal.

“We have had a chat in the dressing room and there’s no one shouting at each other. We know what we have to do, but perhaps this wasn’t the best place for us to try to do it.”

Brentford head coach Dean Smith hailed his side’s attitude and application.

Two goals from Neal Maupay and strikes from Sergi Canos, Ollie Watkins and Lewis Macleod gave the Millers a baptism of fire, with Will Vaulks grabbing a late consolation.

“I expected us to work hard, put pressure on them and perform well because if you do that you get results,” said Smith. “We created the most chances in the league last year, but didn’t convert as many as we should have, so it was good to see the front three all get on the scoresheet.”

Brentford: Bentley, Dalsgaard, Konsa, Mepham, Barbet, Macleod, McEachran, Canos (Benrahma 68), Sawyers, Watkins (Mokotjo 80), Maupay (Judge 68). Unused substitutes: Yennaris, Clarke, Jeanvier, Daniels.

Rotherham United: Rodak, Vyner, Ajayi, Wood, Mattock, Taylor, Vaulks, Palmer, Newell (Williams 71), Ball (Vassell 57), Smith (Wiles 67). Unused substitutes: Price, Robertson, Raggett, Jones.

Referee: O Langford (W Midlands).