Aluk’s in as Millers relegated

ROTHERHAM interim boss Paul Warne insists he is to blame for the club’s relegation from the Championship.

The Millers’ drop to League One, which has been on the cards for several months, was confirmed after Sone Aluko’s goal ensured they were beaten 1-0 by Fulham – their 30th loss of a harrowing season that saw managers Alan Stubbs and Kenny Jackett depart before Christmas.

Warne (below) inherited a tough situation with a squad clearly lacking the quality to compete in the second tier, and was unable to arrest the slide as they became the first club in the country to be relegated.

Despite the drop into the third tier, Warne remains a contender to take the job on a permanent basis and an announcement could come as soon as this week.

Warne said: “There’s a little bit of embarrassment. I took the reins a few months ago and I haven’t been good enough to get the results to keep us up and that is on my head.

“The performances have been OK at times but we haven’t got that strength in depth. But that’s my fault, it’s not anyone else’s.

“We weren’t going to win eight on the spin, so to have ‘relegated’ next to our name isn’t too much of a shock.”

For Fulham, their prospects of leaving the division at the other end were enhanced as they finally moved into the top six thanks to Aluko’s closerange finish in the 66th minute.

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic said: “It is a great step for us towards where we want to be. It was a very tough game.

“I am pleased because I have missed some 1-0 wins, so to get the goal and finish with a clean sheet is pleasing and it is important news for us.

“We tried to be focused on our job and thinking about what we can do.

“We weren’t thinking about other teams.

“Our focus is on us in this crucial part of the competition and getting as many points as is possible.” Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 31% 69% 2 2 3 6 3 2 5 4 10 14 4 1 1 1 0 0