Rotherham
boss Steve Evans is revelling in the transformation of striker Jonson
Clarke-Harris after his impressive performance in Tuesday's 0-0 draw
with Preston.
Clarke-Harris,
the Millers' record buy, has been an outcast in the early part of
this season and did not feature in the matchday squad for the opening
three games.
Evans
had appeared to be losing faith with the 21-year-old and sanctioned a
move out on loan to Colchester, but Clarke-Harris opted to stay in
South Yorkshire.
And,
with Danny Ward injured for the midweek clash with North End,
Clarke-Harris was put on the bench and after coming on in the 55th
minute, he made an impact in a central role alongside Matt
Derbyshire.
That
came after a few day's of impressive training under his belt and
Evans admits his striker is a far cry from the player who was turning
up last week.
“Jonson
Clarke-Harris did great when he came on but he's looked great in
training for the last three days, it's amazing isn't it,” Evans
said. “Last week he didn't look a footballer.
“I
said to him before the game that I was going to put him back on the
bench because his performance's deserved it and then he did well when
we came on.
“He
knew that Danny Ward was struggling, so Jono came for his daily chat
and looked me in the eye and said he wants an opportunity.
Not a bad point tbh something to build on 👍🏽— jonson clarke-harris (@ClarkeHarris) August 18, 2015
“I
didn't lie to him I said to him that his training performances in the
last four or five days have not only been noticed by me but noticed
by the staff and therefore he would be on the bench.
“Possibly with
the benefit of hindsight I might have put him on earlier, but when I
did put him on he made a real impact and that's all you can ask for
with your substitutes.
“If
he'd scored it would have been ever better but he made a good
impact.”
