Sky Bet Championship: Rotherham boss Evans hails his team
Sunday 8 February 2015 17:34, UK
Rotherham boss Steve Evans hailed his side's performance in the shock 2-0 win against promotion chasing Ipswich Town at the New York Stadium.
Striker Connor Sammon haunted his former side by netting the second goal after Matt Derbyshire headed Rotherham ahead in the first half .
Ipswich began the second half well and created chances before Sammon sealed the points just after the hour mark.
The visitors slipped to fifth in the Sky Bet Championship with the defeat and are now six points off the automatic spots, while Rotherham put a six-point cushion between themselves and those in the bottom three.
I think it was a wonderful performance full of all the things that we're good at. We were good on the ball, good in possession and there was fantastic industry from everyone.
Evans said: "I think it was a wonderful performance full of all the things that we're good at. We were good on the ball, good in possession and there was fantastic industry from everyone in a Millers shirt.
"We have beaten an excellent side. The first thing you have to do with Ipswich Town is earn the right to be in the game.
"They should probably have been one up in a minute. We took 15 minutes to settle ourselves down.
"We had to grind it out. My players deserve enormous credit."
Evans was especially impressed with the displays of his two strikers, who have both now scored in back-to-back home wins.
He added: "If you arrive here against Conor (Sammon) and Matt (Derbyshire) you've got a game on.
"I think Conor does a lot of things in the game that perhaps not everyone sees. His willingness to work hard really is an asset.
"I had to believe in him (Derbyshire). He's the person that deserves all the plaudits and the standing ovation.
"He looks bang on form. Matt was buzzing about. I've always maintained that if he gets an opportunity he's more than likely to take it."
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, felt his side were beaten by the better team on the day.
"I thought Rotherham played well," he said.
"The game is going nowhere and they score from the free-kick which was poor marking from us and not like us. There was nothing special or strange about the deliveries - we should have dealt with them better.
"When we conceded the second goal it was actually after our best spell. We've had chances but if we defend like that then it will cost us.
"I might have to look at freshening it up with the players I've got and keep going.
"There are some good teams in and around us but I've no doubt that we will be scrapping away until the last minute of every game until the end of the season to make sure we are in with the promotion push."
McCarthy was pleased Sammon now appears to be hitting form but wished it was not against his side.
He added: "It's sod's law but my point being is he gets that chance because we didn't mark properly then he puts it in the net.
"I thought Conor played well. He looked like he's played games and he's back at it.
"I'm disappointed it's against us but good luck to him because he's a great lad."
