RUFC - Patto praises Reserves

Rotherham United Assistant Manager, Darren Patterson said that although he has to give credit to Hull City in the first half of the Reserve game yesterday, there were lots of positives to take from the Millers performance.

'Hull are an experienced side who are two divisions above us and you can see why. They were first class, they were in people's faces, working their socks off, making it very hard for us to play and their quality and movement were first class.

'We played the three in midfield just to have a look at it and for the bodies that we had fit and available. It didn't particularly work so we changed it so that we could get a foot hold in the game and we did. It looked a little bit better then and we definitely did in the second half.

'There were lots of positives for me. We've got a lot of senior players who are coming back from injury who needed the ninety minutes. And they've had a very good work out, especially the back four, which was much needed. We got a young fifteen year old coming on up front so there were positives. We kept going and kept going against a good side. It's great experience for the younger players and although we've played Reserve games where we've won by three or four, but sometimes they have to experience the other side when they are given a bit of a run-around so it's a great experience for them, though one we aren't obviously happy with. But, hands-up, sometime you get beaten by a better side.

'Reserve team football is great to get people fit and we are pleased to have got ninety minutes into the senior players. So the results aren't the be all and end all for us, it's all about the first team so we are using it in the right way.'

Talking about skipper, Ryan Cresswell who played his first ninety minutes since coming back from injury yesterday, Patto said, 'He came up against two good players who were both sharp with good pace and good movement. So it was a good work out for him and also for Raynesy (Michael Raynes), Dale Tonge and Tom Newey.'



 

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