Richard Wood column: Great run, top fans '“ Rotherham United are on cloud nine

Wow! Three wins in a row. Nobody expected us to get anything out of the last three games but it's testament to the players, staff and the fans that we have made it nine points from nine, with the lads showing great application.
Richard WoodRichard Wood
Richard Wood

It was a superb win at Hillsborough, and a brilliant team performance. It was everything you expect from a local derby, a fiery, full-blooded affair. We defended resolutely in the second half and our front three caused problems for the Owls defence all game.

On a personal note, it was nice to go there and catch up with staff who were around when I was a player there. It made it even sweeter to be leaving with three points.

Joy against MiddlesbroughJoy against Middlesbrough
Joy against Middlesbrough
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My two boys, who are five and seven years old, came to watch the game on Saturday and were sat in the away end with the Millers fans. They loved every minute of it, and haven’t stopped telling me how loud the supporters were.

My youngest son didn’t know whether to watch the game or watch all the fans. They came home singing Rotherham songs that they’d picked up from the match, and I’ve warned them not to repeat any colourful language they might have heard!

The atmosphere created from the away end was brilliant. The players appreciate it and thrive off it, and we need this kind of support more than ever in the remaining games.

As you’d expect, we all wanted to celebrate and enjoy the weekend after victory, but the relentless nature of the Championship meant the preparations turned to Tuesday night almost straight away. The mood around the training ground improves dramatically when you’re winning games.

Lee Frecklington scores against BoroLee Frecklington scores against Boro
Lee Frecklington scores against Boro
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In Monday’s training session, during the warm-up, conversations were flowing between the group. Everybody’s happy and talking over the weekend’s events. There’s no better feeling than winning and it’s amazing what it does to the morale of the squad.

On Tuesday night, the support once again was tremendous. It was a brilliant team effort, and our hard work paid off with Frecks’ late goal.

For me, Matt Derbyshire has epitomised the whole-hearted approach of the team. He’s run his socks off and he’s even ended up in defence alongside me at times during the last two games!

Middlesbrough are the best side I’ve seen in the league this season. On another night they could have been a few goals up at half-time but we stuck at it and, after a much better showing in the second half, got our just rewards in the end.

Matt Derbyshire scores in the derbyMatt Derbyshire scores in the derby
Matt Derbyshire scores in the derby
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There’s still a long way to go in the race for survival and we have 10 ‘cup finals’ coming up. But, with us being one point from safety now, Fulham, Bristol City and MK Dons will be looking over their shoulders.

We have momentum, confidence and belief and in the last three games we’ve proved to everyone we’ve got more than enough to stay in this division.