New ground is motivation for players - Griffiths

Last updated : 27 January 2012 By Bigrich.....

Griffiths won promotion on loan at Chesterfield last season during their first season in their new stadium and the 26 year-old believes next season will give the Millers a major advantage, whichever division they are in.

He told the Advertiser: "I know what we need to be successful and I can see a lot of that in this team already. If we don't get anywhere this season then I'm sure next season it will be a lot better for the boys knowing we've got a brand new ground. It will be a motivation to take that stadium into League One and the boys are buzzing to try and do that.

"I think one of the reasons Chesterfield got to where they were last season, other than wanting to play good football, was that they were allowed to because the ground and the pitch was brilliant. Being at Rotherham, with a new stadium hopefully the fans will get behind us and it will be a lot better atmosphere. It's exciting to go and play at a new ground, especially when it's yours, and people will be really up for the challenge. We want to be playing in League One with that sort of ground. I've seen the final pictures and it looks amazing.

"From the outside, it looks at least as big as Chesterfield's ground, which I'm impressed with because that's a really nice ground. I suppose it will tell when it's finished." 

Griffiths adds: "I've been in and out of the division for quite a while now; it feels like forever. I've got to know the standard so I know what it's all about so hopefully I can take the knowledge and influence other players. Obviously I'd like to be around next season and hopefully I can do enough to impress the gaffer. He seems a good manager and he knows what he's talking about.” 

Of his performance last week, he concluded: "I feel like I could have done better, especially with my final ball, but that was only my first game in four or five games. I thought the lads worked hard; we might not have got what we expected out of the game but we have to take the hurt of losing into this weekend and make sure we get a positive result."

Griffiths faces his old club Dagenham as the Millers look to return to winning ways tomorrow.