Rotherham striker Matt Derbyshire is
enjoying the “positive vibe” around the club following the appointment of Neil
Redfearn.
The 50-year-old former Leeds boss is in his
first week at the club after being named as Steve Evans’ successor last Friday.
He has teamed up with coach Eric Black, who
has become his assistant manager, and is in the process of getting to know his
new squad.
Derbyshire has revealed that Redfearn’s
arrival has lifted the mood in the Millers camp.
“It’s been good, obviously the lads are all positive now and we are going into it enjoying what’s coming,” he said.
“He wants us to believe in ourselves as players
and what we can achieve. There are some very talented players here and he
doesn’t just want to be one of those teams that stay in and around the bottom,
he wants to be pushing up in the years to come.
“That’s obviously what we want as players
as well. There has been a positive vibe around the place.
“We have only seen him for two or three
days, he seems good, I’m sure he is going to be hands-on, his man-management
style will be to put his arm around players, which is a little bit different to
what we have had. I’m not here to knock anyone but each manager has their own
style, that is his style and we’ll see where it takes us.
“For certain people, the mood has lifted,
but I’m not here to comment on past managers, I’m looking forward to the future.”
With a new manager coming in the whole
squad has a chance to impress and stake a claim for a place in Redfearn’s
thoughts.
And they are aided by three games in the
space of seven days, a prospect which has Derbyshire licking his lips.
“We have got good quality around the squad
and the manager believes in us so we have to believe in ourselves, so we have
to show him what we can do,” he added.
“It’s going to be good, thick and fast, and
it’s something to look forward to.
“We want to push on and push on again, it’s
all good. As many games as you can fit in is great, it’s always good because if
you have a poor game you can always get back out there and put it right, if you
have a good game you can have a bit of confidence.”
