Rotherham United v Luton Town - Millers finding their feet as confidence grows

Championship football offers very little time for reflection, but given a moment for it, Rotherham United have concluded they are doing better than the table says.
Another one gets away: Rotherham United's Angus MacDonald  and Stoke City's Steven Fletcher battle for the ball in a game the Millers now believe they should have won. Picture: Barrington Coombs/PAAnother one gets away: Rotherham United's Angus MacDonald  and Stoke City's Steven Fletcher battle for the ball in a game the Millers now believe they should have won. Picture: Barrington Coombs/PA
Another one gets away: Rotherham United's Angus MacDonald and Stoke City's Steven Fletcher battle for the ball in a game the Millers now believe they should have won. Picture: Barrington Coombs/PA

Hard-luck stories have abounded at the New York Stadium this season, of matches lost that ought to have been won.

Saturday’s at Stoke City has now been added to the list.

Despite that, the Millers are three points clear of the relegation zone – and given their recent history and whatever anyone says, that has to be their over-riding priority in 2020-21 – so it bodes well if their fortunes can change.

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The current crop of Rotherham players are fitter and better prepared for the rigours of second-tier football than the teams of the recent past, but they have to be careful not to overdo it.

The busyness of the schedule was highlighted by the fact that it was assistant manager Richie Barker addressing the press on Zoom ahead of tonight’s visit of Luton Town. Even the media duties need the freshness a bit of rotation can bring at present.

When manager Paul Warne spoke to reporters in the Potteries before heading home on Saturday night, the Millers’ mood was that they had deserved a point from the 1-0 defeat.

After sleeping on it and watching the video, even that has been revised.

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“Arguably, I think we played a little bit better than we thought we did,” was Barker’s new verdict on the weekend.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed with the goal we conceded and it was little things in the final third that let us down.

“Having said that, a lot of the things we did were really positive. We came away saying we probably should have drawn the game 0-0, which would have been a positive result for us. Actually, we’ve watched it back and on reflection we should have won, which makes it more frustrating.

“I think the lads are getting used to the level a little bit more now and some of the players are growing in confidence and understanding of the level really, so that’s really positive.

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“We believe that we should have more points on the board and that we could be mid-table at a minimum right now. The late goals against us goes without saying, plus the four incidents that went against us at Norwich and maybe we haven’t been as ruthless as we could have been.

“Naturally, I think the players are disappointed by that, but I think that is a good thing. We don’t want the lads to think just because we’re not in the relegation zone that it’s job done, we’re pleased the players are constantly pushing for better.”

Rotherham’s squad looks in better shape to break the dizzying yo-yo existence that has become their normality. Staying patient with Warne has allowed for gradual improvement, rather than a knock-it-down-and-start-again approach.

“The players who were here last time we were at this level have definitely learned from it and the ones who are new to it are starting to find their feet and understand what the second tier is all about,” said Barker. “We are, again, even more organised and fitter than we were before. As a group of staff and players, we are constantly trying to learn from what has happened previously. Hopefully, we’re better equipped this time around and achieve our aims this year.”

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Rotherham will assess Shaun MacDonald – substituted at Stoke with a knee injury – before picking the team to face the Hatters, but another area where they are stronger now is squad depth. Chiedozie Ogbene and Clark Robertson are working through longer-term injuries.

For the rest, it is a case of trying to maintain their fitness without dulling their sharpness. Once Luton is out of the way, they have a weekend trip to Swansea City to think about.

“In fairness to the lads, they buy into the training schedule,” said Barker. “It’s tough (playing) on Wednesdays because you end up training throughout the week, whereas when you play on a Tuesday you can give them a rest day on the Wednesday.

“I’ve spoken to numerous coaches and managers in the Championship and they all agree that it is crucial to keep players fresh with the hectic fixture schedule. In fairness to the lads, they come in and get on with it and we’re already starting our preparation for Luton.

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“We have a lot of games over December and January. We’ve said to the players numerous times that there will be opportunities for them to play.

“I’m sure that the likes of Vass (Kyle Vassell), Trev (Trevor Clarke) and Thommo (Adam Thompson) are disappointed they haven’t featured much so far but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any opportunities going forward.”

Last six games: Rotherham United LWLDLD; Luton Town LDWLLW

Referee: A Madley (Huddersfield)

Last time: Rotherham United 2 Luton Town 2, November 28, 2009, FA Cup.

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