Rotherham United v York City: Mills tells concerned York fans ‘we will put it right’

Mills’s side head into tonight’s Yorkshire derby against the promotion-chasing Millers in 17th spot and on the back of a poor run of one victory in 10 league matches in 2013 – that win coming back on New Year’s Day against Exeter.

Less than 12 months on from seeing the Minstermen clinch their return to the Football League, many fans are increasingly fretting about the prospect of them being thrown into a relegation dogfight between now and April 27 – with York six and seven points respectively in front of the bottom two of Accrington and Plymouth, having played a game more.

But Mills, whose side secured a spirited point in a 0-0 weekend draw at Oxford, feels supporters – some of whom have been critical of him in recent weeks – should put their recent run into perspective, especially given where they were 12 months ago.

Mills, whose side became the first to triumph at the New York Stadium in a competitive match when they won there 1-0 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in September – said: “We have had a lot of success over the years and now we have come to a period, where, having come up a division, we have found out how strong the league is.

“We have certainly found out it is a different proposition to the Conference and we have had a spell where it has just not gone for us. But we will put it right.

“If we finish where we are at the end of April, we will be more than happy.

“We are in the Football League and we have got to make sure that come next season, we are doing exactly the same thing.

“Twelve months ago we were sitting fifth in the Conference, playing teams like Hayes and Yeading. We’ve come a long way.”

While York head to South Yorkshire on an eight-match run without a victory, the Millers, in contrast, are in fine fettle, having won four of their five games so far in February.

Steve Evans’s side are eyeing a fourth successive league triumph this evening, something they have yet to achieve in League Two this season despite figuring extremely prominently in the betting last summer to become champions.

Evans, who has revealed plans to sign Rochdale striker Ashley Grimes are on the ‘back-burner’, will assess the fitness of top-scorer Daniel Nardiello (groin) and loan winger Daniel Kearns (hamstring) today.

Last six games: Rotherham WWWLWL, York DLDLLD.

Last time: Rotherham 0 York 1; Sept 4, 2012; Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Referee: R Madley (West Yorkshire).