Paul Warne praises Michael Smith after Rotherham beat Wimbledon

Posted Sunday, February 04, 2018 by PA

Rotherham manager Paul Warne praised goal-scorer Michael Smith for netting an important strike and battling a bloody nose in the 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

The Millers extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches thanks to Smith and David Ball’s efforts in what was a patient and clinical display.

After netting the opener Smith took a blow to the nose and had to seek treatment throughout the game.

Warne said: “We deserved to win and definitely created enough chances to win the game.

“We started excellently. I was really pleased to see Smudge (Smith) get the goal especially because that will make his dodgy nose feel better. It would not stop bleeding.

“In fairness to him he went through about eight shirts. It came to a stage where we had to take him off because we kept going down to 10 men.”

Warne’s men are now firmly in the play-off places in fifth and intend to stay there.

“We are giving ourselves a good opportunity to get into the play-offs. Once you’re in them you don’t want to drop off,” he added.

“I felt like it was going to be on those games where they would have one shot on goal and nick a 1-1 draw. I was anxious at half-time.

“The back four have been pretty colossal for us.

“I think we have played a lot better at home but teams aren’t going to come here and just let us tickle them.”

Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley criticised his team’s start to the game.

He said: “I thought they started the better team and when that happens against a good team at home, who like to come at you on the front foot, it’s hard and we did not do the stuff we have talked about in the first 25 minutes.

“When we started doing more of what we had worked on it was a really good, even game and in the second half we were the ones pressing and they were going to catch us on the break

“We had some really good chances but snatched at a couple and chose the wrong option on a couple. When you are on top that is your time to get an equaliser. If we had got it then who knows? But we didn’t and late on we got punished with the second.

“If there’s anything that’s disappointing it’s the start of the game. They gave a very good team at home a real game.”