Gary Rowett takes no extra satisfaction from Millwall beating his former club Derby County
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Gary Rowett said he took no extra satisfaction from Millwall beating his old club Derby – with the former Rams player and manager playing a part in the pre-match tribute to Jim Smith.
A host of ex-County footballers laid wreaths in the centre circle to mark the passing of the 79-year-old.
Smith managed Derby and took them to the top flight.
Rowett had negative chants aimed at him by the home support – but the travelling Lions fans chanted his name in response.
“This [Derby] is a great club,” he said. “When you leave everyone thinks you’re not loyal, or whatever it is, but you can’t tell everyone the circumstances. I made a decision. I felt it was the best thing for everyone to do that and I come back to try and win the game, because I’m employed by Millwall and I’ve got a massive desire to move Millwall forward, just as I have at any club I’ve been at.
“It’s no more pleasing to win here – probably less pleasing today in some ways because of the tribute to Jim before the game. It’s a difficult one because if Derby win it’s a great day for Jim and Jim’s family – I wouldn’t have been displeased, but my job is to come here and try and take the three points. I’m really pleased we did.”
Rowett has his 11-year-old son Fred at the match.
“It’s the first game he’s been to,” he said. “I was a little bit fearful of what he might hear. ‘Daddy, why are they calling you that?’. But it was a respectful day all round, wasn’t it?
“And I was pleased at that. We worked hard here to try and get the team promoted and honestly couldn’t quite do it.
“Nice for him to be here today. I’m not suggesting he’ll be there every week but I hope he enjoyed it.
“He’s a bit of everything [when asked if he supports Millwall or Derby]. When you live here – I’ve lived here for a long time, I’ve got massive affection for the place. I’ve played here, I’ve coached here and I’ve managed here – that doesn’t go away.
“But at the same time we’ve moved on and we’re trying to do our best for our current club and I have to say I’m enjoying every minute of it.
“The players give you everything and there is a real honesty about the bunch.”
Millwall are unbeaten in seven matches and Rowett has only lost once in five away fixtures, a narrow reverse at the hands of Reading.
Tom Bradshaw’s first-half goal made it 14 points banked on the road – the same as they managed in the whole of the 2018-19 season.
Rowett said: “If we looked at the four games we had away – Swansea, Birmingham, Bristol and Derby away – we knew they were going to be very difficult. To win three of them and draw one, that we probably should’ve won, is a massive testament to the players.
“Today it was partly down to Derby that with good rotation and movement around their centre-halves it made it difficult for us to press so we stayed a little too deep at times.
“When we did pass the ball in transitions we got into some brilliant areas but just didn’t do it enough. It wasn’t one of our better performances but to come here – to a team unbeaten in nine – and limit them to one deflected shot on target was a massive effort by all the players. We controlled the ball out of possession today, rather than with the ball.
“I can’t be too disappointed. The last 10 minutes is what our team is about – stick it in the box and they’ll head it away. No matter how many times it goes in there. Full of character.”
PICTURES BY BRIAN TONKS
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