The Championship will have a ‘Sickener’ relegation battle in which Rotherham will face three sides, all at home, in the space of a week.
A selection process that even Ant Middleton could raise a smile to, the Millers will need special forces on their side to pick up maximum points against high flying Queens Park Rangers and fellow relegation threatened Coventry City and Birmingham City.
Rotherham’s home form is one of the worst in the Championship this season, winning only four and drawing three. The latest home affair was a shock defeat to bottom club Wycombe Wanderers. Shocking in performance and in score line, 3-0 is the Millers joint worst losing margin this season. Only Watford have scored more than three against the Millers, funnily enough at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. However, that 4-1 defeat seemed to spark a fire in Rotherham and the 2-0 victory over Bristol City before the international break was a sound and solid performance.
Over Easter the vail has slipped and Rotherham haven’t scored in their last three games. Millwall proved to be a nut too tough to crack, but a draw would’ve been a fair assessment even though it ended 1-0 to the Lions. Wycombe… we don’t talk about that.
Now we come to Huddersfield Town, the start of a hectic schedule that brings vibes of the 1920’s rather than the 2020’s. Nine games need to be squeezed in from now until May 8th, some of which could bring season defining performances, if Rotherham find their shooting boots that is.
Huddersfield Town on Saturday is a typical example of ‘it wasn’t your day’. The ball just wouldn’t drop kindly for the Millers. Two inches either side of a post or the flip side of a deciding by the referee could’ve brought a win of 3/4 maybe even 5-0. Matt Crooks hitting the post from a scorable position, Lewis Wing hitting the bar from a 30-yard free kick screamer, Crooks being ruled offside, or was it a foul? Footage shows neither to be correct. Richard Wood’s penalty shout which VAR would have given in a heartbeat, and finally Ben Wiles missing a sitter after a solid game in midfield. The list is long, but it shows that if the Millers take chances, they’ll be comfortable survivors.
As it stands, Rotherham are six points behind Coventry with three games in hand. Sheffield Wednesday is the next in the red club and sit only a point behind the Millers. Wycombe aren’t far behind on the bottom of the table, being boosted by the victory at New York.
Rotherham need to find their home form which has blessed them in recent seasons but is a curse this season. QPR have recently dispatched Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 and the Royal’s tails will be up for another victory over the Millers to added to the 3-2 at Loftus Road earlier in the season.
Coventry will be rather annoyed at playing on a Thursday but will be wanting a repeat of the easy 3-1 win at St. Andrew’s. Bonus: It’s on Sky Sports Football, here’s hoping your local has outside TV’s.
Birmingham needs to better the result at St. Andrew’s (It’s a confusing time round the West Midlands), but Rotherham will want to better it as well after scoring and conceding in added time for a 1-1 draw. Bonus: Also on Sky, but midday kick off.
The titanic effort needed will bring ups and downs and plenty of twists and turns. Some fans think Rotherham are down already, others are still optimistic. Some want the manager gone, others want him to stay. Everyone’s a bit on edge due to being couped up inside and not at the football for more than a year. Calm down, have a pint in the garden, or beer garden from Monday and come together on the matchdays.
Once Rotherham break the scoring duck, they’ll find the ball drops a little kinder.
Who knows, Wiles might score a worldie next game.
Image: themillers.co.uk/ Jim Brailsford
The Wandering Yorkshireman 