Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw admitted his side got some good fortune in their 1-0 win at play-off chasing Bolton.
Sam Nombe’s early strike proved to be the winner but only because the home side missed a raft of chances, peppering the Millers’ goal with 36 shots.
Hamshaw could only name six substitutes with a squad missing seven first-teamers but praised the players who dug in for a result, his third successive win since taking over from Steve Evans.
“If I’m going to be brutally honest, we were second best probably,” he said. “I’m being defeatist.
“The character and defensive stuff – there were a hell of a lot of positives, don’t get me wrong. I openly said in the press I worried about tonight, physically, and I wanted a performance for 45 minutes.
“First half, we did that and created them problems. Everyone is well aware of the situation we’re in at the minute with injuries and Kels (Liam Kelly) and Jono (Jonson Clarke-Harris) were ill. It is what it is but we don’t make excuses.
“Fair play to the kids. I thought Hamish Douglas came in and did really well and Holmesy (Jack Holmes).
“I don’t want to be too negative because it’s an unbelievable three points against what is, in my opinion, a top, top team.
“I’ve just said to their players and Schuey (Steven Schumacher), they probably don’t want to hear it but I think they’ll go up if they keep playing like that.”
He added: “Wherever Bolton got the ball, there were always bodies.
“Whether it was the first man or the second man, somebody always got something on the end of it and then the keeper was outstanding. Daws (Cameron Dawson) pulled off save after save after save, fair play to him.”
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher described his team’s wastefulness as “criminal” but felt that goals were the only thing missing from the performance.
John McAtee hit a post and Rotherham keeper Cameron Dawson made a string of top saves from Josh Dacres-Cogley, McAtee, Aaron Collins and George Johnston.
“I’m running the risk of sounding like a broken record because I’ve said this now five times in the five games we have lost in the league since I’ve been the manager,” he said. “But we have been the better team.
“I’m really disappointed, obviously, to lose the game. But we have played so well and you can’t play that well and create that many chances and not take anything from it. It’s criminal.”
Bolton dropped out of the play-off places and surrendered the advantage to Reading but Schumacher insists his side can still get themselves back into the top six.
He added: “There are five games to go and even if we’d have won tonight, Reading won as well so we’d still be saying on Saturday against Barnsley we would have to win that game too.
“It is in Reading’s hands now, they have that advantage. We have missed our chance so we have to respond again now.
“With this group I’ve got no doubt they will respond. They are a great group of lads who try – and they are trying their hardest – I just feel as though we lack a little bit of quality when it really matters.”
[(Racing Club de Avellaneda) Strength]: 1. Racing Club de Avellaneda lost their first encounter 0-1, so they cannot afford any loss this time and must go all out to win, fully motivated.2. In the last domestic league game, Adrian Balboa performed well and scored the first goal to put the team ahead.3. Racing Club de Avellaneda scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in the last 5 games with good performance...
[(Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Strength]: 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors performed stably across all competitions this season. Since April, the team have remained unbeaten in the last 20 matches.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at halftime in 4 consecutive games, getting into form quickly on offense.3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at least 2 goals per game in 5 consecutive matches, showing strong attack.4....
[(Velez Sarsfield) Strength]: 1. During their first encounter, Velez Sarsfield played a goalless draw. In this home game, they vow to grab a win and advance, with full motivation.2. Braian Romero withstood the pressure in the last game and scored a penalty in the final moment, helping the team seal a last-gasp victory.3. Velez Sarsfield defeated Club Atletico Independiente 2-1 in the last game, wh...
[(Ferencvaros) Strength]: 1. Ferencvaros are motivated to win this home game and take the lead in advancing.2. Cadu scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Ferencvaros received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 home games, revealing outstanding home performances.4. Ferencvaros scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack and solid defens...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. The first leg of the Semi-finals will see Gwangju FC play at home first. They hope to grab the advantage, with full motivation.2. Gwangju FC forward Reis scored twice in the last game, being in good form.3. Gwangju FC performed well and scored a 2-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen in hte last game, thus getting back on the winning ways.4. AH market provided home team a -1...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. In the last league game, Korean internationals Oh Se Hun and Na Sang Ho both scored in open play, showing decent performances.2. This game is FC Machida Zelvia's fourth consecutive home game, which is in favor of them.3. FC Machida Zelvia won 3-0 over Cerezo Osaka in the last league game, securing a 10-game winning streak across all competitions.4. FC Machida Zel...
[(Crvena Zvezda) Strength]: 1. Crvena Zvezda vow to win this home game in order to grab the advancing advantage, with full motivation.2. Aleksandar Katai performed very well in the last domestic league game. He scored a hat-trick in a win for the team.3. Crvena Zvezda defeated Mladost Lucani 4-1 in the last domestic league game. They achieved 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 games, being in red-hot...
[(Sao Paulo FC) Strength]: 1. Sao Paulo FC drew with Atletico Nacional in the first leg on the road. They will advance to the next round if they win this round at home, indicating full motivation to win.2. Sao Paulo FC signed Serie A team Atalanta BC captain Rafael Toloi recently. He is expected to make his debut in this match.3. Sao Paulo FC drew 2-2 with Sport Club do Recife in the last league g...
[(Chengdu Rongcheng FC) Strength]: 1. Chengdu Rongcheng FC drew 0-0 with Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in the last Chinese Super League, ending their winning streak. However, the team were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, showing commendable performances.2. Chengdu Rongcheng FC scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games, revealing outstanding attack at home.3. Chengdu Rongcheng FC are now ...
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss