Rotherham United: Boss Alan Stubbs reacts to first Millers win

A first-half Danny Ward strike separated the two teams at AESSEAL New York Stadium in Stubbs’ fifth match in charge.

“The mood of the players was good anyway but it has lifted the mood for the fans,” he said. “I thought we got a really good result against a good football team today.”

After an opening-day draw with Wolves, an EFL Cup loss against Morecambe and defeats at promotion favourites Aston Villa and Brighton, Rotherham produced a battling performance to earn all three points.

“We have had as difficult a start as anybody in terms of who we have played,” Stubbs said.

“It’s important to win every week if you can, but this league is one of the most difficult to do it in.

“We knew that Brentford would cause us problems and you could see that in flashes today. I’m delighted for the players.”

The former centre-half praised his side for keeping their first clean sheet of the season.

“It’s not rocket science,” he said. “If you keep clean sheets, you have a good chance of winning games of football.

“I don’t feel like anyone has really cut us open for the goals we have conceded. We haven’t helped ourselves.”

The Millers produced some good spells of attacking play before the break and then dug in after the interval.

“To play 90 minutes of attacking football is very difficult,” the manager added. “There are going to be periods where you have to be very organised and show a lot of commitment and character.”

Millers full-time report