Rotherham United manager Paul Warne has admitted his side were outmuscled as they went down 1-0 to Bristol Rovers this weekend.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Warne claimed he needed to see a swagger in his struggling side, who have not adjusted well to life outside the Championship.

They were relegated last season but were a side well-known for being hard to break down, strong and competitive in their fixtures. That's not been evident this season and after nine games they find themselves in 13th place.

Their opponents are up to seventh and Warne confessed his side were simply outfought at the Memorial Ground.

“I hate to say it because they’re my team and my boys, but we just got outmuscled," he said. “The sad reality is that we had no divine right to come here and win the game. They have not lost a home game all season."

With the gap between them and Ipswich already up to 12 points, Warne is still at a loss to understand the problem with his talented squad.

“We should be creating more chances and score when we’re on top, but I don’t know whether it’s a confidence thing with us. I have to get the swagger into the players.”

The Millers only have one win at home this season, that coming against Bolton Wanderers, and they face fourth-placed Coventry City this weekend in another tough encounter.

The Verdict

It's hard to pinpoint exactly where things are going wrong for Rotherham. They've had a confusing approach, playing 4-3-3 in some matches which doesn't suit some of their players.

The worrying home form is a monkey on their back too; a win against Bolton was a gimme but other than that they've been unconvincing in front of their own spectators.

The longer the run goes on for, the more pressure is likely to mount of Warne. He's likely to be safe right now, but if they home form doesn't pick up the tide of opinion is likely to turn.