Alex Revell has not always had it his own way at Rotherham, but he is happy to be reaping the rewards of hard work.
The 30-year-old striker is in a rich vein of form at the moment, scoring four goals in his last five games - including a last-minute winner in Saturday's victory over Leyton Orient. It represents a turnaround in fortune at the club for the former Orient man, who initially struggled to get into the team under boss Steve Evans and then, after establishing himself as an integral player, suffered his lowest moment when missing a chance at MK Dons earlier in the season, which saw him dropped the following week. Despite getting regular praise from Evans, Revell, signed in 2011 after Adam Le Fondre was sold to Reading, has found it tougher to win over a section of supporters, who show concern at his lack of goals. But after receiving a long-term contract at the end of last season, Revell has once again proved his worth to the Millers and is now playing with confidence. "I have had a lot of critics along the way," he said. "Alfie (Le Fondre) leaving and me coming in, people thought I'd replace him but we are completely different and people didn't see that maybe. "I have my critics and I'm still going to have them, but I'm really enjoying it at the minute. "I think I'm playing as well as I ever have. In the second half of last season I did well too. "I was out of contract, but I didn't feel that pressure because I was enjoying myself and the manager said he wanted me to play. "When you have dug in and kept your place and are keeping newcomers out it's a good feeling because you know you must be doing something right. "Coming into this year I felt like I started well, but then when we played at MK Dons and I should have scored it knocked me, it knocked me hard, there's no two ways about it. "It took me a while to come back from that, now I have got that inner belief. "I have always said I have worked hard and if you keep going you are going to get your rewards. "Luckily at the minute it is happening for me. "I'm trying things I probably wouldn't have done before. I have got that belief to go on and get in the right positions."Millers ace Revells in challenge