Stewart explains Evans appointment

Last updated : 09 April 2012 By Bigrich.....

"Steve was selected because the team behind me, the board all thought that he was the man for the job, his record proves it, he's the man of the moment and he's doing the job and he's coming to Rotherham to do a job here." Tony said.

"I think the x-factor of the stadium and the crowd that we can attract at Rotherham, as you know, Crawley are seeing 2 and hlaf thousand fans which is not a big crowd, so he's obviously looking at a bigger club thats got ambition and drive so we've discussed this at length and we believe he can make a difference which we've being trying to do over the last couple of seasons."

Tony was asked if Steve Evans was first choice; "No he was one of the choices, and it seemed after we spoke to him to see the man for what he is. He's very hard working, a lot of people associate steve as an animated force on the pitch, and theres nothing wrong with that as long as your getting results but in private he's a deep thinking, very professional, very organised man that knows what he's about."

Stewart wouldnt be drawn on if the Millers have to pay compensation to Crawley; "I never talk about compensation, I can say is that Crawley and Rotherham United have sorted everything out behind the scenes and we now look forward to welcoming the new manager, we'll get behind him, I want the fans to get behind him and let him show us what he can do."

Interviewer Rob Staton asked wether Evans exploits at Boston we're talked about in the interviews. "We don't take Steve's history lightly as you know, we've not knee-jerked and just appointed a manager, we've taken time and we've taken stock and interviewed at length. I said earlier that we've been spoilt for choice and we have. Taking all the factors into account, this man is the man to take us to the next stage." Tony said.

"All aspects of every manager that we interviewed came up, you go backward before you go forwards. Steve Evans has satisfied us that he's the man that we need and thats the decision we came to and that takes into account everything that you've said and we're satisfied that we can move forward and get to where we want to be."

Asked if Evans will have money to spend; "Yes he will, that was one of the strong talking points. Rest assured to the fans and the people of Rotherham that Steves not coming to Rotherham on less money than he had at Crawley, It's the reverse actually."

"Yes Crawley have backing but I've said what I've said based on the fact that he will be able to do more with Rotherham than he did with Crawley and thats something that lies well moving forward with the club."

Staton then asked wether Evans has to win promotion at his first attempt; "I'm quite clear that I wanted to see that incrementally as a club we are moving forwards, over the last four season that I've been in charge if you look at the facts and figures we've always done worse the second half of the season than we have the first half, that is not incrementally moving this club forward. I don't expect miracles all I expect is people to take thier job serious, bring in their skills and talents and incrementally assure themselves and us that they are  moving in the right step and that means after Christmas we're hoping for the team to be gathering momentum rather than doing the reverse."

"The guys come here to win games and I'm sure that when that starts and we get to the end of September there will be more fans love him than hate him."

Asked if Evans plan of reaching the Championship was still the ambition; "Yes thats always the ambition, we've got to get out of this league into league one first, as soon as we get into league one we'll be talking about the Championship. It's always been in the distant view with regards our ambition, it's not leaving that view, it's something we're determined on, especially with the new stadium. The fans that are coming back to Rotherham from Sheffield, I know we'll get thier support. We've got the landmark back in Rotherham and it's turning peoples heads, I'm sure that we'll be able to get a lot of the old and new fans in the stadium and I think thats part of the encouragement of a club thats moving forward with its ambitions and with the backing of its fans."

Asked if the current backroom staff will be staying or leaving; "We try and do everything professional at the club, nothings going to change and we'll do what we need to do and that will be revealed as we move forward."