FRUSTRATED After Rotherham United’s dismal start to the season continued with a 1-0 League One loss at Leyton Orient, manager Steve Evans singled out defender Cameron Humphreys for criticism at both ends of the pitch.
The O’s won their first home league game of the season thanks to a goal from home center-back Dan Happe after a free-kick from Tom James halfway through the second half. Evans was upset at what he saw as a soft concession, with Humphreys being held accountable.
Evans came out fighting in his post-match press conference, blaming Humphrys for the Millers’ disappointing 17th-place finish in the table after 13 games of the season.
“The player fails to pick up his man at a set-play after missing that opportunity, and they score,” he stated.
“It’s a disappointing night. There was nothing in the game.
“If our player does his job, we go in front and we don’t concede.” “If you don’t defend properly, which we don’t for their goal, and in the final third you don’t have that quality you need at this level, you pay a price.”
When Evans was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield after Jamie McCart pulled his calf during the warm-up, he became enraged by hints that his team’s performance was poor.
“Do you understand that we were without four massive players?” he said.
McCart gets hurt during the warm-up. Both (Sean) Raggett and (Jonson) Clarke-Harris are not present. It’s been almost six weeks since Liam Kelly’s last game. Since there aren’t any major players here, you (the reporter) must quit being critical and adopt an impartial viewpoint.”
