Ball still enjoying the Rotherham United challenge

Ball joined the Millers from Premier League Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year-deal with the reputation of a no-nonsense central defender following a season-long loan with Scottish Championship winners Glasgow Rangers.

The fact that Rangers boss Mark Warburton wanted to keep hold of Ball for their first season back in the Scottish Premiership spoke volumes about the 21-year-old former England youth international’s potential.

Former Millers manager Alan Stubbs made him his ninth summer signing and since then Ball has found himself in and out of the team, playing both centre back and centre midfield.

DOMINIC BALL SHOWS HIS APPRECIATION

Speaking ahead of today’s trip to Derby County, Ball said: “Rotherham was the right choice and I still believe that.

“I’ve just got to prove myself now to the manager and play games.

“It’s been tough, but it’s been a challenge that I’ve loved, that’s the reason I came here.

“I knew it was going to be a challenge, last year at Rangers we won every game, it was nice to go through and easy in that we were winning.

“Obviously, I’m away from home and it’s tough, we haven’t won many games.”

Although Ball came with a good reputation in the game, he still sees areas of his game he can improve and believes new manager Kenny Jackett is the man to get the best from him.

He said: “The new manager has only been here a few weeks but he says that he likes my attitude, it’s what he wants from his players.

“At the moment he has to look at a lot of players, he has seen me in midfield a few times – one of the games I did well the other game I did awful I thought, which is why I got subbed at half time.

“I’ve played a few games in midfield in the Championship and for me it’s a harder challenge.

“I’m a defender that can go into midfield as a holding midfielder on my own and do a job. I can screen the back four, protect them, clean up play and play it simple, I don’t mind doing that job.

“I think I can be a more effective and enjoy myself a lot more playing at the back.”

When the Advertiser asked if he was still enjoying his time at Rotherham, Ball was unequivocal in his response.

“Definitely, it’s tough when you’re not playing, but I’ve always found when I’m not playing I come back stronger.

“I learn when I’m not playing what I did when I was playing, I always come back stronger.

“It’s a positive mindset.”