Todd Miller's Doncaster Rovers waiting game to live up to long-promised excitement

When your professional debut was nearly four years ago and you are still waiting for a second appearance, you probably have the patience to wait a couple of weeks for your Doncaster Rovers bow.
By Stuart Rayner
Published 21st Jan 2023, 06:00 BST
Updated 21st Jan 2023, 10:20 BST

The weather has twice delayed loanee Todd Miller donning the red-and-white hoops but the 20-year-old can see a positive to it. Miller, pictured, signed in time to make debut at Crawley Town last Saturday, only for a frozen pitch to intervene. The League Two visit of Tranmere Rovers today has befallen the same fate.

He started as a 16-year-old schoolboy with Colchester United; now he has a Marc Cucurella haircut and a contract with one of England's top teams. "I didn't expect it,” he says of his Colchester bow. “Franck Nouble got suspended and I was doing quite well for the under-21s. I had to ask my headteacher for permission for the day off school.

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"It completely ruined the rest of school, I didn’t try as much as I should have after that.

"Now I want to get back to playing men's football. I feel like I've always thrived more in a men's environment in terms of how open the game is and the opportunities you can have for one-v-one duals."

Few clubs are going about their business as well as Brighton and Hove Albion, so Miller joining them that summer bodes well.

"The seasons at Brighton have matured me in terms of decision-making and technique," he argues. He sees the elongated build-up to his debut “could be a little bit of a blessing in disguise and it gives me an extra game later on in the season."

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Miller, inset, comes billed as a "winger" but Doncaster do not usually play with them, preferring a 3-4-2-1. Being a Brighton player, he is versatile.

WELL EDUCATED: Todd Miller (left) has served a good apprenticeship since joining Brighton and Hove Albion from first club Colchester UnitedWELL EDUCATED: Todd Miller (left) has served a good apprenticeship since joining Brighton and Hove Albion from first club Colchester United
WELL EDUCATED: Todd Miller (left) has served a good apprenticeship since joining Brighton and Hove Albion from first club Colchester United

"I'm a direct player who likes to run in behind, stretch the game and bring a one-v-one element in," he says.

"I like to play with quite a high intensity, always running about in possession and out of possession to try to get shots, and crosses in.

"I’ve played as a striker for Brighton under-21s and scored a few goals, and as a wing-back. I'll play anywhere where I can run in behind and stretch the game (from)."

Coach Danny Schofield has earmarked an inside-forward role for Miller, hopefully at Mansfield Town on January 28.

Related topics:Tranmere RoversCrawley TownBrightonLeague Two