Scathing Rotherham manager
Neil Redfearn branded his side’s performance in their 3-0 loss to Derby as “not
acceptable” and accused some players of hiding.
Redfearn is still waiting for
his first win as Millers boss but it was never on the cards at the iPro Stadium
as an imperious Derby swatted his side away.
Although losing there is no
shame in losing to the Rams, who extended their fine run of form to nine games
unbeaten with seven wins, the manner of the display left Redfearn seething,
with his side’s lack of fight the specific cause for concern.
"That was not
acceptable," Redfearn said. "I accept the odd mistake now and again
but not the lack of work-rate and wanting to win that was apparent.
"Players have got to
take responsibility. You put a game plan together and they go out there, it's
up to the players to take the bull by the horns.
"We actually started off alright for five minutes and once we let them get in their stride we never laid a glove on them and that is really disappointing.
"We actually started off alright for five minutes and once we let them get in their stride we never laid a glove on them and that is really disappointing.
"They were worthy 3-0
winners to be honest, I won't lie.
“We have got a lot of work to
do, we have got to bring some players, that's a fact. These players have got to
feel that they have to fight for the shirt and I don't think they did that.
“At this moment in time I
have got to see more from the players that have got the shirt, there's got to
be a desire and will to win.
"We are where we are, we
know Derby have spent big and are a good side but it has got to be more of a
match than that.
“I mentioned that afterwards,
it's important. He might not be the most fashionable but he has got a big heart
and wants to play and they are the type of players you need.
“We had one or two players
that hid today and I can't have that.”
Neil Redfearn talking to @SkySports following the game with @dcfcofficial #rufc pic.twitter.com/6yLReqSTZi— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) October 31, 2015
Redfearn could not have
wished for a tougher initiation with the Millers after three losses from his
first four games at the helm – albeit against sides who are all in the top
seven in the Sky Bet Championship form guide.
The former Leeds boss has
already identified the need for reinforcements and admits he has not been bowled
over by what he has seen in his first three weeks.
Asked whether the job is
turning out to be tougher than he thought, Redfearn replied: “I think it is,
you come in and you initially assess and see what you have got put the acid
test is 3 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon.
"I have seen loads of batsman get
runs in the nets, it's when you take guard and you have got to go and bat and
get runs.
“I look at us and when it
really matters we haven't got enough. At this moment we are feeling sorry for
ourselves and we can't do that.”
