QPR v Rotherham United – Guts and quality required for Millers to secure overdue away win

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

But it is bravery of a different variety that he wants to witness tonight at the scene of the Millers’ stellar moment on their travels during their last season at this level in March 2019.

Two goals from Semi Ajayi – including a winner deep in stoppage time – gave the club their first victory in this part of West London for over 67 years and ended an epic 1,069-day wait for an away triumph in the second-tier stretching back 44 games to April 2016.

Since their opening-day success at Wycombe, United – despite some generally sound performances – the Millers have not won on the road, with Warne unhappy over aspects of Saturday’s defeat at Swansea.

BACK IN CONTENTION: Rotherham United's Joe Mattock. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

He said: “We need to raise our standard. We are a pretty good team away from home and we will have to take the game to them a bit more and be braver on the ball.

“They (QPR) have had a pretty indifferent start. But I like the way they play and their manager (Mark Warburton).

“I have liked him since his Brentford days, so I have got a lot of respect for the way they play, But if we are going to win football games, then we have to impose ourselves on the opposition.”

On drawing inspiration from his side’s famous win at QPR, he added: “It was a good day. It is a tight little ground, but I have had some good and horrendous memories there.

“I will ask for a gutsy performance, but with a bit of quality in the crucial areas, which we need to improve on.”

Warne’s options should at least be more plentiful, with Richard Wood, Freddie Ladapo and Joe Mattock set to be back in the mix after returning to training.

He added: “We just have to plaster them up and look forward to a few players coming back.

“We could have had Mattock back (on Saturday), but we are playing a quarter of the season in five weeks, so I do not want to take any unnecessary risks.

“Woody’s hamstring was a little bit sore in training on Thursday, Freddie has got a bit of a hip problem and was sore on Friday. That is why you have got a squad. You have to flip it about.”

Last six games: QPR DLWWLW; Rotherham LWLLWL.

Referee: O Langford (West Midlands).

Last time: QPR 1 Rotherham 2, March 13, 2019; Championship.

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