27 February 2023

Matt Taylor pleased as Rotherham come from behind to draw at Swansea

27 February 2023

Rotherham boss Matt Taylor was delighted to see his side come from behind to earn a draw for the first time this season as they moved six points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a 1-1 stalemate at Swansea.

While he was pleased, his opposite number Russell Martin had to listen to his team being booed off the pitch at the end of the game as their miserable run continued.

It was Chiedozie Ogbene’s amazing flick, while flat on his back in front of goal, that levelled things up in the 52nd minute after Joel Piroe had opened the scoring in the first half, enabling the Millers to back up their 2-1 home win over Sunderland last week with another point.

“That goal was a big moment for us and I was pleased we kept attacking the game. We were generally on the front foot and things could have been even better for us,” said Taylor.

“Georgie Kelly had a chance with his first touch after coming on and the ball somehow bounced away from goal.

“That result will give us a lot of confidence moving forward – it’s another point in the right direction. We’ve got 12 games left and every one is going to be massive for us – we need more points.

“We’ve got to keep going for it and keep the bit between our teeth. It was important that we backed up the win over Sunderland.”

Swansea’s fall from grace has seen them slump from fourth to 15th since October with only three wins in 20 games.

Martin said: “We’re disappointed and frustrated with the performance. There is so much anxiety in our game, and anxiety and fear kills creativity and freedom – I’ve been there as a player.

“When we finally got a grip on the game and changed shape, I thought it would settle everyone down. Then we conceded a rubbish goal.

“We didn’t have any real period of sustained pressure in their final third. That comes from recent results and the performance tonight carried on from the Stoke game last Tuesday.

“There was not enough courage but that is completely understandable with the young guys out there. We need something to kick-start us again.

“They dug in and got a point tonight and that’s not the standard we want. The only way we are going to get through it is by being braver than we were tonight.

“We need people to be all in between now and the end of the season, because I think we have too many lads who are already focusing on the summer and what’s going to happen with their situation.

“That’s not conducive to high performance.”

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