Rotherham boss Steve Evans insists there is no issue between
himself and Millers goalkeeper Adam Collin after he put in an assured display
in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat to Norwich.
Collin played his first game for the Millers since March after
Evans opted to take Kelle Roos out of the side following a difficult start to the
campaign for the Dutch stopper.
Although the 30-year-old conceded two goals and was on the
losing side he was an impressive presence in the Millers’ net, making several
important saves and producing no errors.
Collin’s inclusion in the starting XI came just a week after
Evans had said his performances in training did not warrant a place in the
side, but the Scot insists there is no issue between the two.
“He had one
or two blocks, we need to look at the first goal of course which has gone across
him but that's being harsh,” Evans said.
“I thought
Adam did well, he distribution was good, his handling was impeccable and he
made two or three blocks.
“We were
pleased for the big man. People think that because he is out of the team we
don't love to the boy to bits, he's a big reason why we are in the
Championship.
“But you
have to play like a Championship player if you want to play for Rotherham.
“People say
we spilt up the League One squad, have a look where they are, have a look at
their performances.
“But
there's a difference when you step up to this level and people who don't know
that simply don't know football.”
Whether
Collin was brought into the side to replace Roos as a result of poor
performances or to just give him a rest remains to be seen and Evans gave
nothing away about his thoughts for who will have the gloves for Saturday’s
crucial-looking visit of Fulham.
One thing
Evans did confirm, however, is that he will pick a team designed to win.
“Steve
Evans wants to win football matches more than anyone else at this club, the chairman has finally found a manager
who wants to win more than the man who has put £40million into this club,” he
added.
“I want to
win football matches more than I want to live tomorrow so I will pick the best
team I can to try and beat Fulham and that is going to be tough.”
