ANALYSIS: Warne's boys setting the bar high

HOW far can they go? Play-offs? Promotion? League title? Fanciful talk at this stage, of course, but keeping a lid on expectations is going to be one of the biggest tasks for Rotherham United the longer this good run goes on.
Crowd pleasers..the Millers celebrate at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.Crowd pleasers..the Millers celebrate at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.
Crowd pleasers..the Millers celebrate at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.

HOW far can they go? Play-offs? Promotion? League title?

Fanciful talk at this stage, of course, but keeping a lid on expectations is going to be one of the biggest tasks for Rotherham United the longer this good run goes on.

One of two are title to get carried away after the best game of the season so far at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

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The Millers were excellent on Saturday from back to front and it was as near to an all-round display as Paul Warne is likely to get from his team.

Rattling in five, as the Millers have done three times this term, is one thing. This time they had to be on their toes at the back to hold a bright Scunthorpe side who contributed to what was a fine advert for League One.

“We had three or four lads lying on the floor in the dressing room because of the effort they’ve put in," revealed Warne.

"I’m really proud of the team, the group and the staff. They’ve all committed their lives to what we’re trying to achieve here.”

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And that's the point. Results aside, Warne has knitted together a group of players who are unflinchingly committed to the cause will go that extra yard to get results.

Plenty of them did that on Saturday to keep a third successive clean sheet that showed there is a real defensive resolve developing to back up the attacking flair.

Will Vaulks celebrates his opener against Scunthorpe.

The highlight of the match was Will Vaulks' 25-yard thunderbolt, a strike so good it would have taken three goalkeepers to keep it out.

Kieffer Moore's match-killing tap-in for 2-0 was all about the great work that preceded it from David Ball, a clever, fleet-footed operator who surely is going to see a lot more game time now he's fully fit.

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It was also a victory achieved without skipper Lee Frecklington and Darren Potter, two experienced and influential figures.

Even though both should be fit for the weekend, neither can be sure of a quick return if the present group can do the business again at AFC Wimbledon tomorrow night.

Anthony Forde and Richie Towell formed part of a fluid and tireless midfield and both fired off long-range punts that demanded good saves from Matt Gilks in the first half.

At the other end, Richard O'Donnell turned in arguably his most commanding afternoon yet and when he was beaten soon after half time by Conor Townsend's curler, the post came to his rescue.

Michael Ihiekwe gets in a header. Pictures: DAVE POUCHER

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The game ebbed and flowed and there were close calls at both ends but it was Rotherham who had the better operators and know-how in the final third.

There were standing ovations when Ball, Forde and ten-goal Kieffer Moore came off and yet another when Eddie Ilderton blew the final whistle on a fifth successive home league win.

Rotherham are good value for fourth spot.

PLAYER RATINGS

Richard O'Donnell 8, Shaun Cummings 8, Joe Mattock 8, Richard Wood 8, Michael Ihiekwe 8, Ryan Williams 7, Richie Towell 7, Will Vaulks 8, Anthony Forde 8, David Ball 7, Kieffer Moore 8

Subs: Joe Newell for Ball (77), Semi Ajayi for Forde (82), Jonson Clarke-Harris for Moore (90). Not used: Marek Rodak, Josh Emmanuel, Jerry Yates, Alex Bray