Late blows not yet an issue for Millers’ Warne
MOST RIVAL managers would have truly felt for Paul Warne on Saturday.
The Rotherham United chief watched on helplessly from his home in Tickhill, where he is selfisolating after a member of his family contracted Covid- 19, as the Millers suffered the latest in a growing number of punishing late blows in a last- gasp 2- 1 loss to Norwich City.
It was the third league game in a row when Rotherham have been on the receiving end of a decisive stoppage- time goal.
Warne, who will again view the action from home tonight, believes that the triple whammy will not leave any psychological scars. But it will be an area of concern if it continues.
On the topic of late concessions, Warne said: “It can do ( become psychological), but only if you let it. But I do not see it as an issue.
“Games now last 97 or 98 minutes and it is no surprise teams score late on as they are taking more risks and chances.
“It is just coincidental at the moment that we have conceded a late goal against Birmingham and Huddersfield – although in fairness, they deserved a goal before that for their play. It is just the way it happened and the late goal this week was not down to fatigue, Flo ( Jozefzoon) just caught someone’s leg when he was clearing his lines.
“That can happen in the first minute or the 95th minute. It is just misfortune.
“We have done a lot of work on how to manage games in the last few minutes. But we cannot manage how the opposition plays.
“Some things are not stoppable or predictable. But if it happens in the next three or four games, I will be flying sports psychologists in from all sorts of places.”
Meanwhile, Warne has confirmed that a second Millers player could be out with a ‘ serious injury’ for three to four months.
Chiedozie Ogbene recently underwent knee surgery which could keep him out until January.
Rotherham are seeking their first victory in 15 attempts at the City Ground tonight.
Their last win arrived back in April 1955.
Last six games: Nottingham Forest LLLLLW; Rotherham DWLDDL.
Referee: S Martin ( Staffs).
Last time: Nottingham Forest 1 Rotherham 0; September 22, 2018; Championship.