The Wandering Yorkshireman

Swansea City took a step closer to the Premier League as Rotherham lost their first league game of 2021.

Rotherham made a late charge and capitalised on a defence left shakey by set pieces. Wes Harding launched a throw into the box, cannoning off a Swansea defender, then the head of Freddie Ladapo directed it home.

Conor Hourihane broke the Millers wall first, picking up the ball and firing into the bottom right corner early in the first half. Captain Matt Grimes made it two after a punch out by Rotherham ‘keeper Jamal Blackman dropped perfectly for the Swan, scoring before Blackman was back to his feet.

The game was effectively done when fresh sub, Jay Fulton, scored with his first touch later in the second half.

Swansea showed their class in the first half, scoring two well taken efforts. Hourihane grabbed the first, Grimes the second, both from the edge of the 18 into opposing bottom corners. There were a few flying elbows from the Swans, repaid by naughty challenges from the Millers.

The second half technically ended even with Ladapo heading a clean sheet for Swansea into the wind with his well taken goal. But Fulton closed the door on a Millers come back with a smart first touch.

A late corner from Rotherham saw Jamie Lindsay hit the bar as the Millers lost ground on Tuesdays challengers, Derby County, and have Sheffield Wednesday sniffing a point behind in 23^rd.

Be Reyt?

Teams:

Rotherham: Blackman, S MacDonald (Ladapo 45), Wood ©(Robertson 58), Wiles, Lindsay, Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Olosunde (Giles), Smith (Hirst 75), Crooks (Jozefzoon 78)

(Unused subs: Johansson, Vickers, Clarke)

Swansea: Woodman, Bennett, Guehi, Grimes ©, Lowe (Morris 82), Ayew, Hourihane, Dhanda (Fulton 73), Roberts, Bidwell, Cabango

(Unused subs: Hamer, Manning, Latibeaudiere, Cooper, Williams, Evans, Garrick)

Goals: (Hourihane 28), (Grimes 38), Ladapo 65, (Fulton 74)

Referee: T. Harrington

Rotherham United claimed back-to-back away wins in the Championship for the first time under Paul Warne.

Debutant, Ryan Giles capped off a great showing from Rotherham after a Matt Crooks half volley and a Michael Smith penalty.

Rotherham last beat Middlesbrough on home spoil in 1965, back at the old Ayresome Park.

Middlesbrough has chances of their own throughout the game, but bodies on the line and a commanding performance from Jamal Blackman in the Millers goal carried the three points back home.

Crooks opened the scoring and became the first Millers player to score in Middlesbrough since Emlyn Hughes all those years ago. The ball was initially cleared by Paddy McNair, but the foot of ‘Tree’ caught it on the half volley for the only goal of the first half.

Michael Smith has one of the games of his career in the first half and, after Michael Ihiekwe was felled in the area in the final stages the second half, scored from the spot, sending Bettinelli the wrong way.

A slight hiccup in communication between Captain Richard Wood and Blackman nearly left egg on the faces, but luckily ball trickled agonisingly wide.

With two minutes left of normal time, new boy Giles replaced Jamie Lindsay. A smart break out saw Wiles with the ball and Giles to his left, the two combined and Giles placed the ball through the legs of the ‘Boro keeper.

Agent Warnock. That is all.

Teams:

Middlesbrough: Bettinelli, Morsy, Assombalonga© (Akpom 67), N Wood, Howson (Johnson 82), McNair, Watmore, Roberts (Coulson), Saville, Bola (Fletcher), Spence (Wing 67)

(Unused Subs: Archer, Hall, Hackney)

Rotherham: Blackman, S MacDonald (Hirst 67), Wood©, Wiles, Lindsay (Giles 88), Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Olosunde, Smith, Crooks (Robertson 84)

(Unused Subs: Johansson, Thompson, Tilt, Clarke, Ladapo)

Goals: (Crooks 43), (Smith 78P), (Giles 90+1)

Referee: Michael Sailsbury

Rotherham United have completed the loan signing of Ryan Giles from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The young wide player is capped up to U20’s level for England and is the Millers’ first signing of January 2021 in a bid to avoid relegation back to League One.

Giles had been on loan at Coventry City for the first half of this season, after a loan spell there was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic last season. His only appearance in 19/20 came in the later stages of the 1-1 draw between Rotherham and Coventry.

Giles has since made 21 appearances for the Sky Blues this season, including 19 in the league and assisting a goal against Queens Park Rangers.

Predominantly deployed at Left Midfield for Coventry, Giles can play on either flank as a Wing-Back or wide Midfielder. With Joe Mattock injured and Rotherham’s recent switch to 3-5-2, he will most likely appear on the opposite flank to Matt Olosunde. The attacking mindset of Giles and his crossing ability will suit the likes of the Millers front line.

The career of Giles has seen him travel up the leagues whilst staying on the books of Premier League Wolves, recently signing a new four-year-deal.

His name has graced the shirts of AFC Telford (2018), Shrewsbury Town (2019-20), and Coventry City (2020-21). It is worth pointing out that Giles’ only goal in the EFL came against Portsmouth, then and still managed by Millers bottle-job manager, Kenny Jacket.

“I’m delighted to be here now.” Giles told http://www.themillers.co.uk, “I thought it was time for another challenge and I’m definitely looking forward to it… Whatever happens I’ll give my full commitment to the team 100%,”

“He’s quick and direct and puts crosses into the box.” Millers boss, Paul Warne, told the Rotherham Advertiser, “He’s a player we’ve liked for a couple of years. He’s someone I’ve tried to sign before. He can play left-back or left wing, but I think left wing-back is his best position.”

The paperwork was completed in time for Giles to be in contention for Middlesbrough(A) on Wednesday 27^th January and has trained with his fellow Millers today, being greeted with kind welcomes on his 21^st birthday.

Rotherham United shared a six-goal thriller with Stoke City but remain in the relegation zone.

The Millers rallied after an early set back by an Angus MacDonald own goal and took the lead early in the second half. Stoke equalised via a Danny Batth header. Matt Crooks slipped and scored from 18 yards. Stoke then equalised again via Nick Powell.

Rotherham stay 22^nd in the table after Derby beat Bournemouth earlier in the evening. The Millers have moved above Sheffield Wednesday.  

The half time score line reflected an even affair. MacDonald was very unlucky to see a Norrington-Davies cross bounce off his toe and into the Millers goal. Michael Smith played a peach of a cross to on rushing Matt Crooks who levelled the game.

After the restart, Rotherham looked the better team. Michael Smith grabbed a goal early on after a Dan Barlaser corner was sliced back into the mixer by Ben Wiles.

Danny Batth exploited a lapse in concentration to head home completely unmarked. The game looked set to be another 2-2 draw between the clubs.

That is until the ball came out to Crooks after bobbling around the box. The midfielder slipped as he hit the ball and it nestled in the top corner.

The Potters had the last say as another lapse in Millers concentrated was pounced on by James McClean who placed the ball bang on the nut of on rushing Powell who levelled the game… again.

A break in play for Rotherham now as there’s no game on Saturday. Good. I need a rest after that one.

Teams:

Rotherham: Blackman, Wood (C), Wiles, J Lindsay, Harding, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald (Robertson 79), Olosunde, M Smith (Hirst 88), Crooks, Barlaser (Ladapo 82)

(Unused subs: Johansson, Jones, A Thompson, Tilt, T Clarke, S MacDonald)

Stoke: Bursik, Batth, Mikel (C), Brown (Fletcher 65), Cousins (Allen 65), Powell, J Thompson (McClean 72), Souttar, Collins, Norrington-Davies, Matondo (J Clarke 72)

(Unused subs: Davies, L Lindsay, Vokes, T Smith, Clucas)

Goals: (A MacDonald OG 14), Crooks 30, M Smith 51, (Batth 61), Crooks 66, (Powell 74)

Referee: Matt Donohue

Rotherham United grabbed an important win in the Championship relegation scrap with Derby County.

Wayne Rooney was made to wait for his first win as Rams’ full-time manager as Jamie Lindsay popped in from a sea of bodies late in the game.

Captain, Richard Wood, should’ve notched up his goal tally in the first half in a 1v1, but it was chalked off in a controversial offside call.

A bright start by Derby brought smart saves from Jamal Blackman in the Millers goal, denying Graeme Shinnie in the opening stages.

The Millers began hunting in packs, pressuring the Rams into possession mistakes and clumsy challenges.

Wood’s first half offside is still in dispute as the ball appeared to hit Michael Ihiekwe in the build-up, playing Wood onside, but the officials thought different and the centre-back’s half volley was scrubbed off.

Derby came out better in the second half, not giving Rotherham the space on the ball they had in the first, but the pressure from the men in red kept mounting with no serious attempts troubling Blackman, however some loose balls fell far too close to the post for comfort.

In the final minutes of normal time, Dan Barlaser placed the ball down for a free kick. The Geordie set-piece marksman rifled the dead ball onto the inside of the near post, somehow not going in.

The ball sailed back in from the right and the smiling Scotsman poked it home.

Rotherham are now level on points with Derby and Sheffield Wednesday, with games in hand.

Teams:

Derby County: Roos, Wisdom, Shinnie (Sibley 83’), Bielik (Bird 67’), Jozwiak, Waghorn, Byrne, Kazim-Richards, Clarke, Buchanan, Knight ©

(Subs not used: Foster, Forsyth, Whittaker, Evans, McDonald, Gordon, Mitchell-Lawson)

Rotherham: Blackman, Wood ©, Wiles, Lindsay, Harding (Robertson 91’), Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Olosunde, Smith (Ladapo 80’), Crooks, Barlaser

(Subs not used: Jones, S MacDonald, Tilt, Johansson, Hirst, Clarke)

Goals: (Lindsay 86’)

Referee: James Linington

ARMAND Gnanduillet has become the first name on the Rotherham rumour list.

The Frenchman has become a free agent after leaving Turkish Second Division side Altay SK after serving four months of a one-year deal.

Gnanduillet’s most recent stint in England came with Blackpool last season in League One. The two-year spell with the Seasiders brought a record of 25 goals in 75 games. In 2019/20 he scored in both fixtures against Rotherham. A 99^th minute penalty at Bloomfield Road and a 34^th minute strike at the New York.

A failed spell at South African side Baroka sandwiches between the first and second two-year stints with Blackpool. Between 2016 and 2018, Gnanduillet managed seven goals in 45 appearances. A grand total of 32 goals in 120 appearances in orange.

Before his time in the shadow of Blackpool Tower, Gnanduillet had spells at Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Oxford United, Tranmere Rovers, and Chesterfield after leaving France in 2013.

The search for Championship football lured him away from Blackpool, but an early exit from Turkey may be the ticket to a January signing at Rotherham.

However.

This rumour does raise questions over the strike force of the Millers and whether one, or perhaps two, may move away from the club. Currently, the Millers have Freddie Ladapo (4 goals, 0 assists in 18), Michael Smith (4 goals, 0 assists in 18), Kyle Vassell (0 goals, 1 assist in 12), and on loan from Leicester George Hirst (0 goals, 0 assists in 14).

Manager, Paul Warne, has expressed his desire to sign a Left Back, a Leader in Midfield, and a Striker in January. One wonders where a new striker would slot into the squad with out one or two moving on either on loan or permanently.

If, remember this is a rumour and nothing more, Gnanduillet does come to the Millers, he will be the third ex-Blackpool player to swap the Seaside for the New York, following Clark Robertson and Kyle Vassell, all be it via Turkey.

Millers academy graduate, Jerry Yates, moved the opposite way last summer.

The crystal ball wizards on Twitter say a deal is close between Rotherham and Gnanduillet, but we will have to wait and see. Apparently, we’ve already battered away Barnsley, Charlton Athletic, and Northampton Town. Also, he has apparently turned down ‘Big’ offers from League One Sunderland and Bristol Rovers.

The appeal of the championship, eh?

More to follow as this (possibly) develops.  

Covid-ravaged Rotherham were edged narrowly by Barnsley in the South Yorkshire Derby.

The Millers had three players out with the virus and two other unnamed players had only just returned to the squad, one of which is suspected to be before his ten-day isolation was completed.

The EFL demanded Rotherham to play or risk a fine and points deduction, causing uproar that reached the hights of the local MP’s. Barnsley started the covid show with two quick goals in the first half which proved to be enough as the pendulum swung towards the home side in the second half.

The defeat sees the Millers drop into the relegation zone below Sheffield Wednesday on goal difference, but with two games in hand.  

Barnsley took control early in the first half, scoring twice in seven minutes. Cauley Woodrow slipped two defenders and slotted past Johansson in the Rotherham goal. Alex Mowatt pounced on a clever cut back to give the Tykes a two-goal lead at the interval.

Rotherham came out better in the second half. Michael Smith grabbing a goal after an inch perfect corner was nudged in for a tense end to the game.

Victor Adeboyejo bottled a great chance to restore the two-goal advantage but fired well wide of goal.

George Hirst was so close to an equaliser, heading over a cross/shot from Ben Wiles.

Barnsley clung on through clever fouls and the frustrating routine of ball hold up around the corner flag. The Tykes played the better football at times in the game. But the Millers certainly didn’t roll over and surrender.

Hot water bottle and rest required for the coronaMillers and well wishes to the three still in isolation.  

Teams:

Rotherham: Johanson, Wood (Clarke 80), Vassell (Hirst 64), Wiles, Ladapo, Lindsay, Harding, Ihiekwe, Olosunde, Barlaser, Jozefzoon (Smith 45)

(Subs not used: Blackman, Thompson, Miller)

Barnsley: Walton, Styles, Anderson, Brittain, Woodrow, Sollbauer, Mowatt (Moon 86), Frieser (Thomas 73), Adeboyejo, Helik, James (Palmer 73) Goals: (Woodrow 8’), (Mowatt 15’), Smith 56’

Goals: (Woodrow 8’), (Mowatt 15’), Smith 56’

Blackburn Rovers stole three points in the 9^th minute of seven added on at Ewood Park.

The Millers had battled well throughout the game and even led at one stage as Michael Smith fired home past Thomas Kaminski after a neat flick by Matt Crooks.

Pressure mounted as Blackburn refused to be beaten by ‘Little Rotherham’ and Harvey Elliott levelled the game.

The board went up with a big green seven, but Blackburn pulled a winning rabbit out of the hat on ninety-nine on the clock to seal victory.

An exchange of searching salvos, but missed targets summed up the first half. Douglas rifled a ball at goal but missed wide. Olosunde up the other end twisted and turned then fired wide in the 18-yard box. Johansson saved to mid-left after Rodwell set himself well. Finally, Barlaser with another of his textbook free kicks found Smith rising, but the forward couldn’t keep his header down.

Rotherham grabbed the first goal after a delicious flick on from Crooks found Smith and the Geordie fired past the Rovers’ keeper to give the Millers the lead.

Blackburn ramped up the pressure and soon put Rotherham on the back foot, eventually finding the net via Elliott, who had been quiet for most of the game. No doubt the Liverpool starlet will be have praise lumped on him by social media, but I digress.

Armstrong appeared in the box in the ninety-ninth, yes, the 99^th, minute of seven added to sink the Millers stomachs in the most gut-wrenching way possible.

Teams:

Blackburn: Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Douglas (Downing 58’), Johnson (Holtby 67’), Rothwell (Bell 58’), Buckley (Trybull), Elliott, Gallagher (Dolan 87’), Armstrong

(Subs not used: Pears, Carter, Lyons, Chapman)

Rotherham: Johansson, Wood, Vassell (Ladapo), Wiles (Harding 70’), Lindsay, Ihiekwe, A MacDonald, Olosunde, Smith (Hirst), Crooks, Barlaser (Jones 93’)

(Subs not used: Blackman, Thompson, Miller, Jozefzoon)

Goals: (Smith 60’), Elliott 79’, Armstrong 99’

Referee: Jarred Gillet

Rotherham United took another step away from the relegation zone by beating highflyers Bristol City.

The management staff at the Millers had been under fire after recent results with some going as far as to play the “Warne Out” card for all to see on social media.

Some went as far as to say that “Warney should stick to birthday messages.” Yes, the man that has won a total of six promotions with the Millers in various capacities should stick to wishing fans Happy Birthday…

The tune was quite different tonight as the Millers faithful were quick to their phones to praise the performance against the Robins and to condemn the words uttered after past matches in a bad run of form.

One fan, Charlie Hawkes, said the Millers had a “Brilliant performance.” Whilst Darren Lightfoot said on Twitter, “Very pleased for Paul Warne and his team. Well done all.”

The story was much the same on the Facebook supporter’s page. Fans were quick to praise the performance and poke a little bit of fun at the so called ‘Warne Out brigade’ who only appear on a bad run of form.

Reece Kellock, one of the more vocal fans, said, “What a performance by the lads today…100% effort from them all.” The second part of his post said, “Wonder where all the ‘Warne Out’ brigade are now? Have you all gone back under your rocks in hiding as it was proven we was on a bad run? UTM. In Warne we trust. Warne In.”

Paul Davis of the Rotherham Advertiser, who is fortunate enough to be in the Post-Match press conference whilst we’re at home celebrating, posted on his Twitter saying, “(Matt) Hamshaw can’t emphasise enough how united the club is.”

This comes after opinions appeared that Warne has lost the dressing room. The Advertiser’s Miller man was quick to dismiss this claim by posting an article on the Chairman’s backing of Warne and how they will “Fight on together.”

Another post from Paul Davis gave the Millers fans the words of opponent manager, Dean Holden. The Bristol City boss is quoted as saying, “Huge credit to Rotherham. Right at the top of their game. They maximise everything. They’re a physically dominant team. Sometimes you can’t compete with players like (Matt) Crooks and (Michael) Smith. It’s a good day for them.

The win over Bristol City is the first in six for Rotherham, last beating Preston North End on November 7^th. But a good performance against Bournemouth brought a 2-2 draw that, in hindsight, is a particularly good result indeed considering they beat Huddersfield 5-0 on the same day as Rotherham’s Robin victory.

A tough test against Blackburn awaits Rotherham on Wednesday. Another performance like this Saturday afternoon will be a welcomed sight for the Rotherham fans sticking with Paul Warne on this Championship ride.

(Personal opinion): Warne In.

Up the Millers x

Rotherham United lost by a two-goal margin for the third game in a row after losing to Watford at Vicarage Road.

The damage was dealt by Christian Kabasele and captain Troy Deeney early in the game and Rotherham only showed flashes of capability thereafter.

A consolation goal didn’t come, but Ben Foster was the busier ‘keeper in the second half but kept a clean sheet as another team compounds Rotherham’s recent bad run.

Watford turned up the heat as soon as they first won possession. Kabasele prodding home in the opening five minutes. Deeney met a sliced Wes Harding clearance at the back post and put the Hornets two up.

There was little attempt at goal from Rotherham in the opening half, only wayward attempts at finding that through ball.  

The second forty-five saw little effort in attack from Watford, but an increase in quality from Rotherham, but the flashes of quality didn’t really trouble the Hornets lack line.

Ben Foster had to make a clever save from a low Kyle Vassell strike, and both Matt Crooks and Ben Wiles fired high and right from distance.

The third loss in a row is the first time the Millers have done so this season and marks a low point in form. However, there is plenty of time yet as 29 games remain.

Rotherham face Bristol City at home on Saturday and will be looking to pick up at least a point

Goals: Kabasele 3’, Deeney 14’

Teams:

Watford: Foster, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Cleverley (Hughes 67’), Deeney © (Joao Pedro 67’), Sema (Garner 82’) Chalobah, Femenia (Navarro 90’), Sarr (Wilmont 90’), Perica, Kabasele

(Subs not used: Bachmann, Quina, Phillips)

Rotherham: Blackman, Jones (Jozefzoon 68’), Vassell (Miller 77’), Wiles, Lindsay (Olosunde 45’), Harding, Ihiekwe ©, MacDonald, Smith (Ladapo 77’), Crooks, Barlaser (Clarke 77’)

(Subs not used: Johansson, Thompson, Wood, Hirst)

Referee: Gavin Ward