SLIDESHOW: Steve Evans - His season in pictures

FOR ROTHERHAM United manager Steve Evans, his first campaign as a Championship manager has been one to ultimately savour, even if it has been a white-knuckle ride at times.
Rotherham boss Steve Evans.Rotherham boss Steve Evans.
Rotherham boss Steve Evans.

Having carved out a considerable reputation in the lower-leagues as a promotion exponent, many observers wondered just how the Scot would handle the step-up to the second tier against a plethora of big boys.

Given the fact that the Millers clinched their Championship status - despite the psychological blow of copping a three-point penalty with just three games to go in their campaign - Evans can rightfully laud the campaign as a success.

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Coming off the back of successive promotions to the second-tier - something famously achieved by Ronnie Moore in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 - a campaign of consolidation and securing the Millers’ Championship status, first and foremost, was always the remit in 2014-15.

Rotherham boss Steve Evans.Rotherham boss Steve Evans.
Rotherham boss Steve Evans.

Some of the optimists may have muttered lower mid-table when still basking in the glow of promotion last summer.

But the pragmatists to a man will have stated one aim: Safety.

It was something that Moore achieved in 2001-02 when the Millers stayed up on goal difference ahead of Crewe, with the current Rotherham crop having a bit more room for comfort in the final analysis above the drop zone in the shape of five points.

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Safety was achieved with a game to spare and Evans was able to don a sombrero and beachwear ahead of the final game of the campaign at Elland Road last Saturday.

Millers fans would have certainly taken that before a ball was kicked in August.

Evans may have utilised 42 players in the league this season and chopped and changed at various junctures and fielded 16 loan signings during the course of the campaign, but vindication has arrived by way of safety.

Especially since the Millers have operated with one of the smallest budgets in the Championship below the likes of comparably sized clubs such as Brentford, as Evans was quick to venture.

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Without the deduction of three points, Rotherham would have finished above Brighton, a club with a vastly superior budget, by two points. That is something which will not have been lost upon Evans.

The Scot would probably be the first to admit he might do some things differently next time around, but it was always likely to be a bit of a learning curve.

Seasonal highlights have included home victories over Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers alongside a first league win since 1964 at Huddersfield Town.

To many football fans, Evans might still be the equivalent of the Marmite Man, but to Millers supporters, he walks on the equivalent of water.

Given his achievements this season, he has also earned the respect of many managerial peers.

He gets results and doesn’t blink at business ends of seasons.

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