Rotherham Manager Evans Asks Fans to Direct Criticism Towards Him, Not Players

Steve Evans, who took over as Rotherham manager for his second tenure in April, has appealed to supporters to direct their dissatisfaction towards him rather than the squad, as the team endeavors to improve its performance this season. Despite expectations that The Millers would contend for promotion following their relegation from the Championship last season, the club currently occupies 17th place in League One, maintaining a four-point lead over the relegation zone. Following their 2-0 loss to South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in their most recent league fixture two weeks prior, Evans and his team faced boos from a segment of the traveling Rotherham fanbase. Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, he stated: “It was as hard as can be but I’ve always said in this game you have to take those days for all the days you get applause.” “I’m not to going to sit here and criticise one Rotherham supporter who wasn’t happy on the night.” “Our levels of performance have not been where they should be and I take responsibility for that.” “I’ve said to the supporters, leave the players and let them concentrate on finding their form and criticise me.” “I’m the same as everyone else on the planet, everyone has feelings, it will hurt me but I’ll take that to get it right here.” The Millers’ recent form shows only one victory in their last five league matches, and they were eliminated from the FA Cup by League Two side Cheltenham Town earlier in the current month. In the current season’s third tier, the team holds the 17th position for possession and the 22nd position for successful passes completed. Ahead of Saturday’s away game against struggling Crawley Town, Evans indicated that he is instructing his squad to exhibit more “bravery” when in possession of the ball. He further explained: “We’ve used the break to go through videos with the players. We’ve broke it down to the basics of pass and move.” “We played a practice match here last Saturday morning that was stunning because I demanded that the players be brave and try the pass and to keep possession of the ball.” “When I talk about being brave that’s not about elbowing someone off the ball or smacking someone in the tunnel and pretending you’re hard, it’s taking the ball in tight areas and trying a pass like you would on the training ground or if there wasn’t pressure.”