RUFC - Knill praises Robins

Rotherham United take on Bury this evening at Don Valley which brings Mark Robins head-to-head with the man he was assistant to at Millmoor, Alan Knill.

Knilly played seventy-seven times for the Millers from 1997 to 2001 and became manager in February 2006 before getting the sack thirteen months later after going fourteen games without a win. Robins took over as caretaker manager and was given the job permanently in April 2007.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Alan Knill has nothing but praise for Mark Robins saying, 'To start with minus seventeen and to be in the position they are now in is nothing but a tribute to the job Mark has done. All credit to him to what he's done in difficult circumstances.

'Playing at Don Valley is not ideal, for one thing it's in Sheffield but, unfortunately, circumstances mean they have to play there and luckily for them the players seem to have adapted well. I spoke to Mark earlier in the season and he said the key to the success this season was to have as big a squad as possible and he's stuck to that.'

The Millers ex manager hasn't done such a bad job himself this season. This time last year, Bury were very close to the bottom of the table and were in danger of going out of the league. Now, they are in the play-off positions, and with a league that looks like nothing will be settled until the last couple of weeks of the season, they have a very good chance of, if not going up automatic, getting to Wembley in the play-offs.

I always liked Knilly when he was manager of Rotherham and thought his sacking was a little hasty. And, after this evening of course, I'd like to wish him and his team well.

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