Rotherham game naturally disappoints

Last updated : 16 March 2006 By The Chairman
Ronnie Moore was naturally disappointed with the humiliating defeat at Rotherham which could prove to be so costly in the run in to the play-off spots. Moore said, "I am the guy who is supposed to have all the answers and sometimes you don't get them. You tell me how a side playing so well can go out and play so badly. They had desire as well as pace in midfield and our back three got dragged all over the place. Rotherham had a tremendous 45 minutes and I knew they wouldn't be able to keep it up. In the second half we were the side on top and we should have had a penalty. It was a massive decision and it certainly looked like one from where I was standing. It was harsh not to give it and it was a bitterly disappointing result. When you come back to your old stamping ground you want your team to show what they are capable of. We didn't do that and that isn't to take anything away from Rotherham, whose performance was brilliant."

"We were still in with a little shout until they got a second goal near the end and it was game, set and match. We had got ourselves in a great position and to perform like we did astounded me. We are miles better than that. I wanted to show people what a good side we had got but, unfortunately, it didn't happen. It was nice to go back and the reception was good, but it is sad to see the place like it is with a half-built stand. However, if their players performed like that week in and week out they would be at the top end of the table, no problem whatsoever. We go to Bradford on Saturday and we have got to win it if we want to have a chance of getting into the play-offs. Their manager was at the game but I don't think he will have learned anything from it. There is no way we will have that type of performance on Saturday. We have to go for it."

"I just wanted the lads who used to play for Rotherham to go back and do well, but they didn't and I don't know whether the occasion got to them or what. It was a disappointing quarter to eight to quarter to ten, if you like. There were times when we had them on the rack a little bit, but never really carved them open. We never really looked like we were going to score. We didn't ask them any questions and that was the disappointing thing for me. But we have to kick on again, pick ourselves up and go for it. There are still games left and it isn't the be-all and end-all. But if we had got the three points it would have asked questions of an awful lot of teams. The job now is to put back the pressure on the sides in the top six. We have to get on with it."