PREVIEW: Hamshaw backs Warne ahead of Huddersfield clash

MATT Hamshaw insists Millers interim manager Paul Warne can play the bad cop as well as the good cop in order to get the best out of players.
Matt Hamshaw and Paul Warne on the touchlineMatt Hamshaw and Paul Warne on the touchline
Matt Hamshaw and Paul Warne on the touchline

The interim manager’s bubbly personality can lead many to think he is a “Mr Nice Guy” who can’t come down hard on individuals.

But speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with high-flying Huddersfield Town, interim coach Hamshaw said that was not the case, as shown at the New York Stadium on Saturday when Warne read the riot act to his under-performing players.

“What you see with Warney is his positivity but he does have the other side to him and from the reaction we saw in the second half against Blackburn, you can all guess what side we saw at 3.45,” said Hamshaw.

“The lads saw a different side to him. You need that and he’s got that.”

Hamshaw said Warne had done a “fantastic” job in difficult circumstance and has the tools to be a football manager whether or not he stayed in the post beyond the end of the season.

Recent signing Joel Ekstrand, meanwhile, is pushing for a start against the high-flying Terriers, who will arrive at the New York Stadium chasing a sixth straight win.

Chelsea loan man Izzy Brown, who switched from Rotherham for Huddersfield in January, has scored four goals in the last five but is just part of a side which is sweeping all before it at the moment.

Added Hamshaw: “Huddersfield play an open, expansive game, the type you want to go and watch. We’ve seen them quite a lot and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were in the top two come the end of the season and if not, having a serious push.”

The match comes too soon for injured trio Aimen Belaid, Darnell Fisher and Lee Frecklington as Rotherham, 14 points from the Championship safety line, chase a first win in six.

Loan striker Carlton Morris is completing treatment for a hamstring injury at parent club Norwich but could be in contention for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff.