The rollercoaster starts today - Evans

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

"It's a massive challenge, You only have to look at the vision of the chairman and the vision of the board of where they want to take the football club. If those visions and plans were'nt in place then I wouldn't be here. I'm ambitious myself and I'm really looking forward to it."

"I got a call from the Chief-Executive at Crawley Town - Alan Williams to say that Rotherham United had made an approach to have a chat with me. Crawley Town spoke to me and asked if I'd like to go and have a chat, the views of the senior board and the owners there were that you should always have a chat."

"I came to have a private meeting with some members of the board and the Chairman, and it's easy to say that it didn't take too long before my head was thinking about Rotherham and not Crawley Town. That had to be some meeting because I certainly wasn't thinking that on the way up to be honest but the vision and the passion shown by the people at that meeting was quite extraordinary."

"I think Rotherham United and Steve Evans were happy for me to see the Crawley project through to the end of the season, but Crawley Town felt that in any way that my head was towards Rotherham United then I wouldnt give my full focus on the Crawley job, that was the only difference of opinions we had and they allowed me to progress this."

"In my opinion, how far can I take Crawley Town? League One certainly, but beyond that I was not so sure. Where can I take Rotherham United? The Championship. People can like it or lump it but the roller coaster starts today and we're going to have some great times ahead."

Steve spoke about how easy the decision to join the Millers was; "The chairman took me personally to show the training ground and the new stadium and went through the plans to develop the land aroudn that even further, and the new training ground as well and the decision became easier and easier andmore comfartable as well. We continued with conversations with Tony for a few days and I brought my family up for a look around and it became a hand in a glove, it was right for me and I'm really excited and looking forward to the challenge."

"The new stadium is an important factor but, Rotherham United have played at Championship level, they're coming home after playing at Don Valley which I noticed the fans making a lot of noise despite being away from the pitch. It's a club on the up and we've a chance of being a part of that myself and some of my staff that will move up with me."

"As for Crawley, I had a wonderful time there and worked for the most fantastic people and I just hope I can emulate the success I had there here at Rotherham United. I think we can and with the chairmans backing I'm sure we will."

Meanwhile Evans still thought that the Millers had a chance of making the play-offs this season; "I think the Cheltenham games absolutely massive," he said before todays 1-0 victory. "If we can take maximum points against Cheltenham then I think we still need other teams to drop a few points but I think that will happen, it's squeeky bum time at the top end of the league and if we can get Rotherham in that last play off place and into the play-offs then with the players we've got and the staff in inheriting we can take it further."

Steve looked back at the game at Crawley a fortnight ago; "The first 44 minutes were a hiding, We (crawley) got a goal against the run of play and half time came at a good time for us, we changed a couple of things and it was a game of two halves, but we know the Rotherham squad inside out, we know all the squads in league 2 inside out as all the other managers do but we know the players, we know thier strengthens and weaknesses but of course you learn more about them when you work with them and we've got the opportunity, hence why it's happened now so that we have the chance to work with the boys 3 or 4 weeks in the season and that allows us to form opinions on who's going to go forward with us next season either in league two or one."