RUFC - Pope relieved after scoring

Rotherham United striker, Tom Pope says he thinks it was the teams fitness that got the three points for the Millers at Saltergate on Tuesday night.

'Being a local derby we knew it was going to be a tough night,` the Millers goal scorer told MillersPlayer. 'And although it was a tight game, I think we were the better side.`

Speaking about his goal, the former Crewe striker said, 'It`s been long overdue. The lads have been hammering me and every day of the week, Alfie tells me how many he`s got. So, it was nice to get one and get on the score sheet again and more importantly gave us three points. Actually, I saw the ball late, I think Alfie got in my way, but I managed to control it, hit it on the turn and it managed to roll in the corner so I`m happy.

'It was nice to get it in front of our fans, it seems a long time since they were cheering for me scoring and I think I went a bit over the top celebrating but that was all the emotions coming out of me.

'The gaffers been encouraging me and saying by working hard the goals will come. I missed a great chance on Saturday which, fortunately, didn`t cost us but I managed to get one today which is a massive relief.`

Tom also said he thought the Millers were fitter than Chesterfield on Tuesday night and he was asked what he thought that was down too. 'Paul Warne is a massive influence on us. He`s thirty-six and he runs round like he`s sixteen and that`s something all pro`s aspire too. And Drewe Broughton is the most professional person I know. He gets in two hours before anyone else and does everything. But, we`ve got a good squad and there are no moaners. Everyone just gets on with it and if they are asked to do a forty or fifty minute run the lads will just go and do it. We`ve got a good bunch of lads and we have a laugh and a joke when we can and when we have to put the work in we do.`

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