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Lee Clark stays optimistic Rotherham can avoid relegation to League Two after defeat to Port Vale

Lee Clark stays optimistic Rotherham can avoid relegation to League Two after a 1-0 defeat to Port Vale on Tuesday night.

Of the three games he had had in charge, his side have only picked up one point. The Millers are 11 points adrift of safety with six matches to play, and do still have two games in hand on Blackpool, who sit 21st, but Rotherham have won just once in their past 12 matches.

After being asked by BBC Radio Sheffield whether defeat consigned them to going down to League Two, Clark said: “absolutely not. Eighteen points to play for, but what is certain is that we can’t waste a half of football like we did in the first half.

“We’re not in a position to waste one minute, never mind a half, and we wasted a half.”

Fans and local journalists prepare for Rotherham in League Two for the first time since 2012-13 while also a second relegation in three seasons.

He said, per Rotherham Advertiser: “What is certain is that we can’t waste a half of football like we did in the first half. We’re not in a position to waste one minute, let alone a half.

“We gave away a really poor goal (a Ryan Croasdale shot) and didn’t ask enough questions of their defenders. It was poor play in terms of us not being aggressive in the challenge and also then having the ball making the wrong decision on that.

“We did better at asking questions in the second half and missed good chances to score an equaliser. We have to cause chaos in the opposition penalty area and create more options.

“I’m looking at what work our goalkeeper’s had to do. He hasn’t had to do a lot. He had the save in the second half (from Ben Garrity’s header) when he tipped the ball over.

“We sorted it at half-time. You’ve seen the response in the second half. So, it’s there. Individual players stepped up and had better second halves.”

“I thought that Josh Benson was our standout player. I thought he was outstanding in every aspect of the game – with the ball, without the ball, playing at a high tempo, the quality of his passing, his awareness. It was a great midfield performance.

“There were others who did well, but those types of things are unimportant when we’re not getting the results.”

Port Vale boss Jon Brady said: “We go into seven games in 19 days, I don’t know if that’s ever happened before in the EFL.

“It’s going to be very tough to navigate that.

“You saw tonight that the players have bounced back from playing the World Club champions. It takes a lot out of you to play them both emotionally and physically.

“For the boys to bounce back I’m really proud of them. They’re still fighting and they’ve shown that.

“This group certainly needs some rest and recovery. The schedule is what it is, we’ve got to grit it out and get on with it.”

On the game: “It’s a positive result.

“Seeing the game out and keeping a clean sheet is the most pleasing thing for me.

“All in all, it was probably more of a team performance than anything else.

“It got a bit scrappy. They had one or two chances and we’ve come out the right side of a scrappy game in the end.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Lee Clark stays optimistic Rotherham can avoid relegation to League Two after defeat to Port Vale…

@MightyMillers20: TONY STEWART GET OUT OF OUR CLUB

@Callum__RUFC: Stewart family fucking sell the club and dont fucking come back! Look what you have done to us you ass holes

@deanb6666: Absolutely no surprise that relegation is happening. This is by far the worst set of players the club has had whilst we have been at New York. There is not one player you could say has done anything this season to warrant any supporter wanting them to be at the club next season

@CavRocks72: Three empty stands on Saturday would send a message it’s only gonna be Barnsley fans singing you’re going down for 90mins anyway #rufc

@rufcmiller89: Cba with Clark getting job full time cause he’s cheap and only one who wants it then being sacked after a shit season next season and we start again. Stewart out. Douglas out. Scott out. Thanks Tony. You’ve taken us back where you found us. League 2. No manager. Shite squad. No hope. No money. Been a good few years and we’ve got a nice stadium but time to hand over to someone who gives a shit and will progress us. Hamshaw in. Can’t remember the last time I enjoyed watching us play. We’ll know if Stewart has checked out if he gives Clark the job based on zero improvement. When you think about it the Stewarts have totally fucked us. Stopped caring stopped spending and made us near impossible to sell. Bring back the 5 back. Nailed on he gets a 3 year contract at end of season. Nailed on he’s sacked this time next year. League 2 with Stewarts in charge is frightening. I fear for the long term future of the club on and off the pitch #rufc

@rufc__cal: that might be some of the worst defending i’ve seen at any level, including sunday league. every player in that box pathetic #rufc

@CraigyBoyBes: That’s me done this season. An absolute embarrassment every single one of them. The clubs absolutely rotting from the inside. I’ve got serious concerns about our football league status & I can’t believe I’m saying that. Everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves #rufc

@NicolaElliott16: There is a growing fear that we will drop straight through next season. The rot is too deeply rooted with progress a thing of the past. The worst thing? Nobody in the club seems to care: the contempt for fans is a disgrace. #rufc

@Ryan_Cudworth: Dreadful defending, absolutely dreadful #rufc

@sammyhad1986: Pathetic these players. Actually. Feel for Clarke if he’s here next year he won’t want to keep more than 3/4 of these players. Martha, nombe, watmore, rafferty, James, Jules, absolutely honking first half. #rufc

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