Blues manager Paul Hurst admitted it was hard to take Town’s 1-0 defeat away against Rotherham, where he spent nearly all his playing career, believing that his side’s performance ought to have been good enough to claim all three points.

Asked whether he is sick of the sight of Rotherham, who beat his Shrewsbury team in the League One play-off final in May, he said: “No, I’ll never be sick of the sight of Rotherham, the time spent here was obviously very good and I generally wish them well when I’m not up against them.

“But yes, the last three is it now we’ve come out on the wrong side of the result? And it feels hard to take today.”

Was he left scratching his head how Town didn’t manage to win the match? “Well, we didn’t score a goal, that’s the reason why we didn’t and you’re feeling disappointed, or potentially with the way it was going, that you didn’t win the game, and then to actually lose it, it is hard to take.

“I’m probably not the best person to assess our performance overall because I’m disappointed at this moment in time with the result and we all know that’s what the business is, it’s results as much as it’s nice to get performances, but you want them to go hand in hand.

“Look, I’m sure there are some positives to take but at this moment in time it’s probably difficult to see them.”

Regarding the penalty claim late on, he added: “In total honesty I didn’t quite see the incident entirely. What I did feel at the time was that Jordan Roberts had got inside Joe Mattock but I’m not sure whether the player was looking for the penalty, whether there was enough contact to make him go down.

“I think the position he was in, if I do watch it back he’ll be getting a mouthful if he did go down too easily because he was in with a chance of scoring a goal. I will look back at them but at the end of the day they don’t mean anything.

“We could have had a freekick in the build-up to the goal, I think Jordan Roberts got blocked off.

“The ball goes down the side and I think Toto actually gets the ball first [in the incident for the freekick which led to the goal]. I can live with it in that I can understand what the referee’s thinking, but I do think he got the ball first rather than the man.

“And then we don’t actually defend it that badly but it just drops down and it’s a good finish from Smith which cost us the game.”

Given that his side enjoyed the lion’s share of the game's possession, did he feel they ought to have created more chances?

“I think we’ve had enough chances overall,” he reflected. “Can you create more? Yes, of course, I think you’ll be lucky if you come away thinking that you couldn’t have done any more. But I still think we’ve had enough realistically.

“Even if it was just that little pass. Straight away, Gwion Edwards’s pass to Ellis in the first half comes to mind. He’s done great and then it’s just slightly overhit. That should be a chance, whether it’s a goal, the keeper might save it, but it should be a definite chance and wasn’t.

“We’ve got to make sure we have got a cutting edge to us otherwise the good work before that counts for nothing.”

Hurst was pleased with his new signings, particularly Jon Nolan: “I wanted to bring Jon in to the football club as soon as I joined. It took longer than I would have hoped but he’s got quality, I never doubt that.

“I was amazed that other clubs weren’t in for him, I don’t know what they’ve been watching, I question people’s scouting networks.

“He looked very at home. What I would say, and I don’t mean this disrespectfully, for him and Toto, they came up against a team they played against three times last season, they’ve played here, so in some ways it wasn’t the most daunting fixture for them.

“I think Warney would say it and I’ll say it about us and them, there’ll be stiffer tests, we know that but he can be pleased, they’ve only trained for a couple of days.

“And the team overall, this is what I’ve been trying to stress from the start, you want your players with you as early as possible to work on it.

"And probably in Blackburn and Rotherham we’ve come up against two teams that in general might be upset they haven’t been able to bring as many additions in, but what we’ve come up against is teams that have been very settled and certainly know each other.

“We’re still learning. But I have to say that performance should have been good enough for us to have left with three points.”

Rotherham manager Paul Warne, who played alongside Hurst during their playing days with the Millers, felt his team improved after the break.

“To call it a tough game is polite, the lads rode the first half, we were better second half,” he said. “To get a win any way which way, I’ll take it.

“People would expect us to make wholesale changes [following last week's 5-1 thrashing at Brentford], I don’t manage like that, you’ve got to trust people and they have earned the trust.

“We asked the lads to go out and play to keep the shirt and after last week deserved a crack. I am really pleased with the response.

“In the first half we were outplayed and struggled and we played the shape in the second half and put Kyle Vassell out wide on the left and I always think there is a chance we are going to score. It was very pleasing to score that late goal.”

Photo: TWTD

Pezzer added 21:16 - Aug 11 Let's hope PH sticks to his principles and the team starts to bed in, the goals come and there is some entertaining victories- but this will probably take time and patience and a few knocks along the way.
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Pezzer added 21:18 - Aug 11 *Are some entertaining victories!
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TractorRef added 21:56 - Aug 11 We played well. Nolan and Nsiala looked good. The football is so much better. However, we need a striker that looks dangerous. Harrison isn't looking great with his back to goal, Jackson had too little time to impress. And 12 corners yet they win every header. Next few games are tough. As we'll need to be as fans.
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Sparkerino added 21:58 - Aug 11 Jas 0999 is right. You take a League One manager, you get rid of the few quality Championship players we had from last year, bring in some League One players, we play two League One sides(from last year) and get 1 point. You see where I'm going with all this? If we're nor careful we'll get closer to League One than is comfortable
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Elkcib1 added 22:05 - Aug 11 SAme boring comments from the same boring people, new manager, same comments.....why bother?
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BlueParadigm added 22:06 - Aug 11 PH out of his league at the moment but might be back in it next season. However, if the worse case scenario happens Town will def be best team in League 1 next season and come back to the Championship with 2020 vision in 2020!
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mrshallisfit added 22:44 - Aug 11 Some of you are bloody clueless or very gullible. How do we survive in this league with the strike force we now have. God we need a new owner because we are gradually being sucked into League 1 with the Cayman Island Turd at the helm.
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clint_eastwood added 04:18 - Aug 12 Early days # New players looked hungry # Give players time to gel # Just one of those days when one team dominated but lost # We're back at playing passing football # Finally, we have pace upfront # The future is bright # Thank god we didn't hire Lampard! (Derby 1-4 Leeds) Ouchh!
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Dissboyitfc added 07:58 - Aug 12 no need to panic! Nolan looked very good! lots of improvement needed all over the pitch. Chalobah for me is clearly a talent but there too many mistakes in his game, he i fear will cost us games with his mistakes! Speaking of mistakes poor game from the ref and his assistants, how that Pen was never given i will never know! speaking to some Rotherham fans after the game, they felt very fortunate and said that it wasnt even a free kick which led to their goal. Kayden Jackson didn't appear to have electric pace at all, there defender seemed to be a lot quicker! I am a little concerned as to where the goals are coming from! Yesterday was an ok performance from what still is a bunch of strangers, there is better to come! Good turnout today from the town fans. I will be at Exeter on Tuesday night! Hopefully Hurst will put out his favoured 11, they need the time to gel !

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therein61 added 08:01 - Aug 12 In my 60 years supporting our great club home and away I am appalled at so called town fans appearing to be delighted that we lost!!!!! I had never been a fan of the previous manager and his awful football but I never want my team to lose even if it let's me smugly say "I told you so" the previous manager had 5+ seasons and was gradually(that's being kind) taking us on a downward spiral and was so set in his ways he didn't have a clue how to change things!! Hurst has had 2 games for gods sake get behind your club(that is if you are true supporters which I very much doubt) and give them a chance.

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Dissboyitfc added 09:27 - Aug 12 J45... MM set his teams up to preserve the point in the hope of nicking something! PH teams are set up to win, although not working as we all want at the moment, its clear for all to see Ph wants to win, Mm didnt want to lose!!!!
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1RWR added 09:41 - Aug 12 Jas/Toxteth: You are assuming Evans 'wanted to sell Garner'? What about if Hurst said "Garner is 30 & injury prone, spends half the game on his arse & Bolton are bidding £1.5m & I don't fancy him in my team?". What does Evans do eh? He takes advice from his manager & gets rid of. That may or may not be the case, may I suggest you get off Evans' back this time? If you ever attended school, remember the old adage "Rome wasn't built in a day". I'm as disappointed as anyone, but give the guy some time pleeeeease!

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Bildestoned added 10:11 - Aug 12 Just watched the brief Sky highlights of this game. The ratio of Town vs Rotherham incidents/chances tells me all I need to know. On another day etc. etc. etc..
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martin587 added 10:34 - Aug 12 I was at the game yesterday and I must say how poignant it was with the response from both sets of supporters regarding the sad loss of Barry Elliot (the chuckle brothers). I felt we controlled the game from almost start to finish and we're very unlucky not to have taken at least a point away from the match.It was only the lack of poor finishing that let us down.This will come right I'm sure within a few games is not too worried at the moment.The team is still bedding in with all the changes.You only have to look at Derby County yesterday, they were torn apart by Leeds.They will improve just like we will but we have to be patient.Lets hoe we can get a win under our belts on Tuesday at Exeter city.Games coming thick and fast now so things have to change quickly and Paul is well aware of this so don't panic lads.🙏

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rodthegasman added 10:41 - Aug 12 three srikers sold from last season 30 goals between them.we will have to see if the new boys from lower devisons step up to the mark.that will take time.need to get in at least two strikers and a centreback in on loan.long hard season ahead.staying up will do for me this season.upwards and onwards i say.COME ON YOU BLUES.
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Pilgrimblue added 10:42 - Aug 12 Well we played a L1 side and got beat so goodness knows how we'll cope with Villa and Norwich etc
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Essexipswichboy added 10:59 - Aug 12 If Dozzel not fit enough..... Then he is not fit for A loan where the club can't manage him PH We didn't score a goal..... Shall I say it... Cannot believe he still wants 3 more players It's a joke
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Cheshire_Blue added 11:17 - Aug 12 We didn't win the game because we have just sold two proven championship strikers without adequately replacing them. Time is starting to tell.
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tractorboy2421 added 11:20 - Aug 12 Seems we have learned nothing ... Yet again the owner thinks it's good for the club to sell players & not replace them like for like. Looks like another year struggling for survival. What hope have we got against the scum again this year ☹️
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Cheshire_Blue added 11:29 - Aug 12 A poor result against a poor team. This could well turn out to be a six pointer come next May and we lost. Too much haste to get rid of a proven solid Championship manager in exchange for a 'rookie' replacement? Time will tell.
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martin587 added 11:33 - Aug 12 Two games in and still the same old few moaning.For gods sake give the man a chance.!! Almost everybody wanted MM out.You got your wish,whatever next.🙈🙈
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blueboy1981 added 11:34 - Aug 12 Fact is - we may have done enough to win - BUT to do that you have to score goals, and we didn't. Therefore 'should have's' - equal no points - as it has always done. Should have's, will have's, would have's - MEAN NOTHING. We were not good enough, and came second to a very poor side - is the reality of it. Allowing for all and everything, we should have been good enough to pick up points there today. Excuses should have left the building with McCarthy - and need to have done.

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Warkys_Tash added 11:59 - Aug 12 Hey, we got Derby away soon. Easy 3 points right? We always win there :-)
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pumppedlar2 added 12:31 - Aug 12 Well, Tuesday is another game. It appears all the new faces need time to gel together, so I'd like to to see PH put out the team he anticipates startling against Villa even at the expense of 'some of our own' if necessary.
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smurfsareblue added 12:40 - Aug 12 OK here are my thoughts. Loved the pre season merry go round, lots of new players coming in and sold a couple for what was good money for ipswich. Like the sound of PH. Up and coming young manager who wants to attack wants players who are fitter than the opposition etc. My worry is that black and white facts are as follows - over 10 million pounds brought into the club and 5 million spent. I appreciate loans may have cost a bit and may have included a fee also. But....... I did not rate Harrison at all at Blackburn. Harsh as he was on his own and I do not feel he can play on his own in this league. I hope PH realises we need 2 upfront. Was intrigued with Kayden Jackson. Fast strong centre forward. However both untested. Need a tried and tested nailed on Centre forward loaned NOW to play along side 1 of them, whilst they learn about this league and improve to a standard where we can rely upon them to do the business. Both have potential but we need the finished article to guarantee goals. Perhaps an old timer to help with competition and help then make the step up. Was not Too impressed with Donacien. Is he better than Emannuel? Time will tell. Nolan sounds good as does Nsiala. Please do not forget who is also at the club PH. Hope Dozell is just not seen as fit enough rather than still feeling the injury or worst still not rated by PH. Did like Edwards. Touch of class from him and also Edun. However I watched Leeds who looked like a team of fit strong talented MEN last night and always looked a threat. Many teams we come up against this year will like that. Can take us being beaten by a better team but need to score goals. This must be addressed. Hope for the future but we need goals NOW.

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