Staff working hard on Don Valley surface

Last updated : 22 July 2008 By Deano
The bobbly and sandy surface came under criticism from Derby boss Paul Jewell last weekend, and ahead of the second DV friendly against Scunthorpe tonight, Robins spoke to the Rotherham Star about the efforts to get things right.

"We had 60 tons of sand put on it but it killed the pitch really and it is something we are addressing," he said.

"The pitch was better than it was previously but it will get a real watering and we want to improve the drainage and get it levelled. A hell of a lot of work has been done there already.

"The wind was a problem too (against Derby) and it all made it a great leveller and I can't believe that we were talking about the weather and the effects of the wind in the middle of July.

"It's given us food for thought but we have to deal with it and get on with it. That's where we are going to be playing.

"We'll get the water on to settle it down and this is why we are playing five pre-season games on it so that it helps us get used to it.

"Aesthetically, it looked great but it could lure others into a false sense of security. I hope we can train on it because the more we are used to it then we have an advantage. Millmoor had its slope although that could sometimes work against us and we have to gain every advantage we can at Don Valley," he added.

A mixture of Millers second string, youth and first teamers lost out 2-1 at Sheffield FC last night, with Alex Rhodes netting midway through the first half.

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