Carlisle ‘I Didn’t Think We Looked Like We Only Had Ten Men’

Wayne Carlisle, the caretaker manager of Rotherham United, was’very upset’ with the loss this afternoon.

‘I thought we started really bright and even after we’d gone down to 10 men, I thought we stayed in the game,’ Wayne stated after losing to Swansea City at home by two goals to one. And I believe we caused them some trouble in the second half.’

When asked how Daniel Ayala’s dismissal affected the game, Wayne said, ‘I don’t think there’s any doubt it changed the direction of the game. Daniel was strong enough to lift his hands up and admit he should have known better about the first yellow, but was the second a bookable offense? I’m not certain.

And he’s correct, isn’t he? I think his first yellow was stupid on Ayala’s part – I think it’s a stupid rule, but it’s a rule and has to be followed – but I think the foul he got sent off for was his first foul and should have been handled better by the referee with simply a stern warning. In fact, I believe that was his intention until he was surrounded by Swansea players who seemed to make his decision for him.

‘When we came out in the second half, I honestly didn’t believe we had only ten guys.’

‘The squad at the moment is fairly thin, there’s a few injuries, and while there’s good experience in the squad, there’s also some youth in the squad,’ Wayne stated, anticipating this would be his final game. They’re a terrific group of guys.’

When asked if he wanted to be a manager, he replied, ‘That’s the plan. I was hoping it would be here, but if it isn’t, I completely understand and accept that. I’ve learnt a lot and had a great time doing it. I’ll be sad to go, but I wish the next manager, whoever he or she is, all the best.’