Players do try, says skipper

The Millers looked a dispirited bunch in the closing stages of the defeat to Southend United and the match was over as a contest long before the finish.

Sharps felt the disappointment of defeat as much as anyone and a little bit more responsibility because of his position.

He takes criticism on the chin and while accepting the team was way below par, he said it was not for want of trying.

"The lack of effort is an easy thing to focus on, but I think everyone tries," he told the Advertiser.

"Everyone runs around and tries their hardest but the emotion and the aggression has to be channelled in the right way.

"We just couldn't get a foothold and were second best all over the pitch."

Sharps says he feels for the supporters and is mindful that superb facilities alone won't keep the crowds flocking to the New York Stadium as the Millers continue to struggle for form.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Aldershot, he added: "We want to fill the stadium every week but matches like that obviously won't bring people back.

"It will drive them away if anything so we can only apologise for the performance."