IN their powerhouse periods under Paul Warne and both Ronnie Moore and Steve Evans - first time around - Rotherham United's identity and success was based on front-foot football.

Passing it around at the back was an anathema to many and in the present-day, head coach Alex Bruce doesn't like it either.

Amid a testing period for the Millers, who have conceded four goals apiece in their last two competitive fixtures, Bruce has been particularly non-plussed by the sight of his defenders playing the ball around aimlessly at the back at times, for possession's sake.

In his view, this is not possession with a purpose. The Millers head coach has cajoled his backline to be more forward-thinking with the ball at their feet, rather than playing safe.

Bruce's Millers side have shipped four goals in each of their past two games. Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

placeholder image — Bruce's Millers side have shipped four goals in each of their past two games. Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

The message was reinforced this week ahead of Rotherham's lunch-time trip to the Highbury Stadium.

Bruce, whose 20th-placed side were brought in for extra training last Sunday after their 4-1 home reverse to Gillingham seven days ago, said: "For me, there were a lot of square passes and backward passes last Saturday - something that I don't like.

"It's one of the things we've working on. I want to see a team that plays the ball forward, puts pressure on the opposition's backline, makes the game exciting and gives supporters something to shout about.

"Then, when we haven't got the ball, I want to see a few tackles flying in and players showing endeavour."

Millers' supporters' first sight of deadline-day loan signing Klaidi Lolos is likely to be put on hold again for the time being after he suffered an injury set-back in training.