Rotherham 3-0 Gills: Neale Cooper

Last updated : 16 September 2005 By Simon Head

Cooper: Laid into the team at full-time

"It's disappointing as we have looked bright this week and been excellent in training. We came into the game thinking everything is looking good and we put in a performance like that.

"We were poor today, no excuses - just not good enough. I still can't believe the support we had at the end of the game. The fans were still applauding the players and I would just like to apologise to them.

"Rotherham were hungrier than us today. They bullied us and we didn't react, that's what's upsetting for me.

"Too many players under performed and under fought - which is criminal. After the Brentford game everything was fine but it's been a funny week with some of the boys being on international duty.

"Ian Cox travelled up to meet us yesterday but there wasn't enough seats on the plane so Brent Sancho had to travel up today so that threw us a little bit because Brent played well for us at Brentford and we had to change it.

"We're disappointed because Rotherham battered us in the middle of the park. They were brighter and sharper. Up front we didn't do as well as we have been. We never troubled them but saying that the service from back to front it was poor.

"The goals we conceded were poor, the first one went through Ian Cox's legs; the second one Andrew Crofts got caught on the ball which we got punished for and then we are chasing the game.

"The whole game was disappointing and harsh words have been said in the dressing room because I have praised the boys to the hilt over the past few weeks.

"This is what it's going to be like coming to places like Rotherham you need to dig in deep and some of the younger boys are going to need to grow up now quickly.

"We can't dwell on today. I can only guarantee to the travelling support and the support back home that it won't happen again and I have said that to the players in the dressing room. They know they weren't good enough today.

"I'm an honest man and I don't try to cover up things. We lost the battle today in all regions of the park. They were stronger and wanted it more than us and I have said that in the changing room. If it upsets some players I don't care, sometimes the truth hurts but they have got to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves if they did enough - I'd say the majority of them would say no."