Rotherham United 2026-27 season preview: Alex Bruce focuses on building foundations first

Rotherham United's new head coach let out a wry smile just over a week ago when asked about the need for the club to bring in new signings to beef up a squad that remains critically low on numbers going into a competitive season.

Certainly in terms of a League Two squad being fit for purpose regarding a potential promotion push.

For the Millers to be in that sort of position—one that their supporters would naturally expect when their club finds itself in the fourth tier (which is not very often)—a fair amount of work needs to take place between now and the closure of the summer window on September 1.

The club is currently 'active' on this ahead of their 2026-27 season opener against West Brom in the EFL Cup on Saturday, with signings expected before then.

In their recent friendly against Sheffield United on July 25, Bruce's match-day list featured just 13 senior players with seven trialists fleshing out the teamsheet. To say it is far from an ideal place with the big kick-off around the corner is putting it mildly.

The Millers have made some headway since - including the addition of a much-needed talisman if things go well in Paul Mullin. But it is likely to take until well into the autumn for Bruce's new-look Millers to fully assimilate. And be truly judged, by definition.

Mullin's signing has started to galvanise a fanbase at least and there has been considerable fanfare accompanying his arrival.

As far as League Two goes, his goals record and promotion pedigree are pretty much as good as it gets.

Alongside hopefully goals, he will provide the leadership that Rotherham needs in the final third.

Bruce is conscious of the need to bring in more figures of authority across the team's spine and has continually used the word 'character' in his early interviews with the media.

Like when building a new home, putting together a new side requires work on the foundations first.

While Mullin should provide authority up top, the Millers also need a defensive enforcer to organise their backline and another goalkeeping option.

There are plenty of other 'to-do' areas as well. Another frontline striker to supplement the presence of Mullin is another requirement, as is a fresh left-back option.

The start of August has at least made the picture easier regarding bringing in new signings and hopefully opened up a door or two.

The Millers are no longer paying a clutch of players who left at the end of last season, but continued to get paid throughout the first half of the summer.

Players who were released but didn't find new clubs by the end of June received weekly wages into July.

Some who have found new employment on lower salaries have had the shortfall paid by Rotherham, their previous club, with August marking the time when all payments end to released players.

The sale of Sam Nombe for an initial fee of £600,000 plus add-ons has also provided clarity for Bruce, although it remains to be seen how much he will receive to bolster his transfer kitty. There’s question marks over whether Denzel Hall stays put as well.

While Mullin represents the club's marquee arrival, the signing of former Walsall midfielder Jamie Jellis - linked with League One clubs in the past - looks to be a shrewd one; the sort of addition that the Millers need to be making at this level.

The Millers' start looks testing on paper, with early home 'derbies' against York City and Chesterfield on the menu alongside a visit from big-spending Salford City.

A trip to another side tipped to do well, Steve Evans' Bristol Rovers, is also on the roster in the first month of the campaign.

Difficult? Yes, for sure. But a few positive results would help make the Millers feel a bit better about themselves, conversely.

That, in a nutshell, is what Bruce needs to do over the first month or so.

Supporters, after three lousy years, want a team to connect and identify with and love again.

That will take time, but the oxygen of some early wins will aid in that rebuilding process.

Certainly at home, where the Millers' stats have been awful for nigh on a year.

They have triumphed just once in front of their own supporters since late January and a pitiful return of two victories has arrived since November 8 of last year.

Making Rotherham hard to beat again is also understandably high in Bruce's thinking.

In his first appointment as a number one, the 41-year-old has spoken well and with good sense so far. His appointment of the experienced Steve Agnew as his second in command was also a particularly smart move.

On the pitch, there will be bumps in the road going forward and Bruce is savvy enough to appreciate that.

Agnew and director of football Steve McClaren will have his back in that regard as turning around Rotherham's fortunes is no quick fix by any means.