Rotherham United manager Steve Evans did not hold back in his criticism of defender Cameron Humphreys following their 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient.
The League One loss marked another frustrating result for the Millers, with Evans expressing his displeasure at Humphreys’ role in both missing a key opportunity and conceding the goal that decided the match.
The only goal came midway through the second half, when Leyton Orient centre-back Dan Happe found the net from a Tom James free-kick. Evans singled out Humphreys for not doing his job defensively during the set-piece, stating: “The player misses that chance and then doesn’t pick up his man at a set-play, and they score.”
A Disappointing Night for Rotherham
The defeat leaves Rotherham in 17th place in the League One standings after 13 matches, a position Evans will be keen to improve on. Reflecting on the game, Evans commented on his side’s inability to capitalise on their possession and their ongoing issues in the final third.
“I think we controlled possession. We’re still trying to find a way up front. We got down the sides of them but we lacked quality in the final third. I sound like a broken record,” said Evans. His frustration extended to the team’s defensive work, particularly for the decisive goal. “If you don’t defend properly, which we don’t for their goal, and you get in the final third and don’t have that quality you need at this level, you pay a price.”
Evans was clear that if Humphreys had done his job defensively, Rotherham could have been in a better position. “If our player does his job, we go in front and we don’t concede,” he added, underlining the impact of the defender’s error.
Injuries Add to Rotherham’s Woes
Rotherham’s evening took a bad turn before the match even started, with defender Jamie McCart pulling his calf during the warm-up. This injury, combined with the absence of other key players such as Sean Raggett and Jonson Clarke-Harris, left Evans with limited options. Despite the setback, Evans was unhappy with suggestions that his team’s approach was negative.
“We were without four massive players, do you understand that?” Evans responded when questioned about the team’s performance. “McCart comes down injured in the warm-up. We’re here without Raggett, we’re here without Clarke-Harris. Liam Kelly has had his first game back in about six weeks. We are here without massive players, so you need to stop being negative and look at it objectively.”
Evans’ irritation at the line of questioning from the media was clear as he reiterated the importance of perspective in analysing the match. Despite the difficult circumstances, Evans remained defiant, insisting that Rotherham’s efforts on the night were not as poor as some were suggesting.
Defensive Frailties Continue to Haunt Rotherham
Analysts believe that Rotherham United’s persistent defensive issues are contributing to their slow start this season. While Evans has rightly pointed out the impact of injuries, it is clear that the team’s defensive organisation and execution need to improve.
As Evans continues to work with a depleted squad, the pressure will be on Humphreys and his defensive colleagues to tighten up at the back and help Rotherham climb the table. With key players expected to return soon, Evans will hope to turn things around quickly and steer the Millers towards a more positive run of form.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Evans and his side, as they look to overcome injuries and improve both defensively and offensively in order to move up from their current position.
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