Evans blasts shoddy Millers

ROTHERHAM United chief Steve Evans has blasted his players for their big defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge, saying there was no excuse for the performance.

The Millers were second best from start to finish in the 5-0 loss and were saved from a heavier thrashing only by the heroics of goalkeeper Andy Warrington.

Goals by Dwight Gayle and Luke Howell had the hosts 2-0 up at half time and Gayle and Howell both struck again in the second half, with Medy Elito also on target, to complete the whitewash.

Evans had an issue with referee Roger East for a “foul and abusive” remark he was alleged to have made towards one of the Rotherham players in the first half. He said he intended to raise the matter with the match assessor after the game but said that should not detract from what happened on the pitch.

“It was a shambles from start to finish,” he said. “We switched off for the opening goal and from thereon in it was Andy Warrington against Dagenham.

“There was a severe lack of effort, commitment and passion. If you wear the Rotherham United shirt you need to have that but we had none of it. It was totally unacceptable; the worst performance I’ve had as a manager.”

Rotherham had gone into the game on the back of four wins from five but the latest result has put them back down to ninth in League Two.

They host one of the clubs they are trying to chase down, Cheltenham Town, at the New York Stadium next Saturday.