The Wandering Yorkshireman

Stoke City held on for a draw with 10 men against winless Barnsley.

Both teams could’ve won it in the dying seconds of the match with Jacob Brown going close for Stoke and multiple efforts from Barnsley who are still without a win this season and will get no greater opportunity than this.  

Stoke defended heroically after Nathan Collins saw red for an off the ball incident with the score already at two apiece.

A slow start by both teams saw little action in the early stages of the first half. The game leaped into life with Elliot Simoes sliding effort putting Barnsley in front. Credit to Alex Mowatt for carrying the ball forward and playing a delightful cross.

Stoke gathered steam and pushed for an equaliser. Steven Fletcher having a tame effort saved by Jack Walton.

The Potters looked to have sealed an equal score-line as Tyrese Campbell stroked home after a beautiful through ball by Harry Souttar, but Barnsley took the lead moments later after Dominic Frieser acrobatically toe-poked the ball in on the brink of half time.

A goalkeeping howler by Jack Walton gifted Stoke their second equaliser of the night and both pushed for the all-important third that could’ve won the game.

It was Barnsley who seemed to get the luck after Stoke went down to 10 men, but couldn’t capitalise on the man advantage and had to settle for a draw in a game that was there for the taking by the Tykes.

Teams:

Stoke City: (Davies, Chester, Souttar, Collins, Smith, Mikel (C), Thompson, Powell(Oakley-Boothe 77′), Tymon, Fletcher(Brown 67′), Campbell(Ince 77′) )

(Subs not used: Gunn, Batth, Vokes, Gregory)

Barnsley: (Walton, Brittain (Schmidt 83), J Williams, Helik, Anderson, Oduor, Mowatt, Palmer (Kane 45′), Simoes (Thomas 77′), Woodrow, Frieser)

(Subs not used: Addai, Halme, James, Chaplin)

Goals: (Simoes 17′), Campbell 43′, (Frieser 45′), Smith 48′

Referee: Michael Salisbury

Rotherham United scored a penalty and survived late pressure from a rejuvenated Nottingham Forest to earn a vital point at the City Ground

Dan Barlaser stepped up and scored from 12 yards, but Sammy Ameobi equalised from close range in the final knockings of the second half.

Forest attacked the Millers goal relentlessly in the closing stages with Lewis Grabban missing an open goal and firing wide of the target.

Nottingham Forest seem to have shaken off the cobwebs and looked a better team under new boss, Chris Hughton, but failed to win on his first game at home.  

Both teams tried to breach the others defence early on. Forest looked to have succeeded, but a correctly flagged offside kept the scores level.

As the half progressed, Rotherham grew in confidence, tackling and pressing harder as the minutes passed, but the goalless half portrayed an even, stop start opening forty-five.

The game kicked into life after Dan Barlaser smashed his penalty home and both teams had chances to score. It was Forest who found the net to equalise and hunted for a goal to win the game, but several heroic blocks and saves by Jamal Blackman kept it even. Rotherham nearly won the day via a Michael Ihiekwe header, but the ball fell just wide of the near post.

The last action came from Forest as Harry Arter picked up the ball in space but fired well over.

Rotherham are still searching for a first win at the City Ground since 1955.

Teams:

(Nottingham Forest): Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Ioannou, Yates, Colback (Arter 73′), Lolley, Freeman (Taylor 66′), Ameobi, Grabban(C)

(Subs not used: Mbe Soh, J Smith, Jenkinson, Mighten, Sow)

(Rotherham United): Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood(C), Jones (Sadlier 75′), Wiles, Lindsay (S MacDonald 66′), Barlaser, Crooks, Miller (Olosunde 68′), Ladapo

(Subs not used: Johansson, Jozefzoon, Hirst, M Smith)

Goals: Barlaser 50′ (P), Ameboi 79′

Referee: Steve Martin

Nottingham Forest will host Rotherham United on Tuesday evening in Chris Hughton’s first game in charge at the City Ground. His first game in charge was a rousing 0-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday that earned Forest their first points of this season.

Millers boss, Paul Warne, remains in isolation after a member of his household tested positive for covid-19. However, this hasn’t stopped him from being in regular contact with the squad before, during, and after the Norwich game on Saturday as well as keeping in touch regularly with No.2 Richie Barker.

Form:

Before Hughton’s arrival, Forest had straight L’s across the board in the Championship, scoring only once. In 5 games they have conceded seven goals and scored twice. Their only win coming via a 90^th Minute goal in Hughton’s first game in charge

Current form: LLLLW

Rotherham, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the season. Opening day victory over Wycombe is the only win, but points have been dropped in added time against Birmingham, Huddersfield, and Norwich. All of which came via penalties or own goals in the final seconds of added time.

Current form: WLDDL

Head to head record: NFF wins- 19. ROT wins- 7. Draws- 11.

Last 3 meetings: Forest 2-0 Millers (31^st Jan 2017), Forest 1-0 Millers (22^nd Sept 2018), Millers 2-1 Forest (6^th April 2019)

Team News:

Chris Hughton has the chance to give new loan signing, Anthony Knockaert, his Forest debut.

Fellow deadline day signing, Harry Arter, is looking the favourite to start after replacing the injured Jack Colback against Blackburn.

Lewis Grabban has not found the net in eight appearances and could be replaced in the starting eleven by Lyle Taylor

Rotherham will be without Angus MacDonald after he was given a straight red card against Norwich and will miss the next three games. Clark Robertson could move into his more comfortable Centre Back role. However, Richard Wood and Adam Thompson could also come in.

Joe Mattock is available after completing his period of isolation and could return to the starting eleven straight away.

Matt Olosunde is available and could be slotting in as a Right Midfielder to cover injured Chieo Ogbene whilst new signing Flo Jozefzoon gets up to speed with the Millers.

An unnamed player that isn’t Ogbene could be out for 3-4 months after needing a scan after Saturday’s game.

Prediction:

If Nottingham have been rejuvenated under their new manager, then they will give Rotherham a game on Tuesday and will be looking to capitalise on their first win of the season. They will look to exploit a weakened right flank which will be occupied by ‘any-where’ player Ben Wiles or Matt Olosunde, a natural Right Back. Ryan Yates on the left may experience joy down that flank if not dealt with by the filled RM position or Harding at RB.

Rotherham will be looking to sort out defensive mistakes and give Forest a game in return. If the defensive errors are fixed, then Rotherham will look to high press Nottingham into submission. Three players at any one time pressed the player on the ball and caused panicked passing around the back. An effective method of causing mistakes spearheaded by an attacking front three of Miller, Ladapo, and Wiles with Crooks and Barlaser also on the hunt.

Probable Nottingham line-up: Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Loannou, Yates, Arter, Lolley, Freeman, Knockaert, Taylor.

Probable Rotherham line-up: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, Crooks, S MacDonald, Barlaser, Wiles, Ladapo, Miller

Score prediction: 1-1

Norwich City came from behind and clinched all three points with a last-minute penalty against 10-man Rotherham United.

Debutant Florian Jozefzoon felled Buendia and virtually gifted the Canaries the win in the dying seconds. Ihiekwe had levelled the scores midway into the second half with an own goal and Angus MacDonald saw red for a two footed 50/50 challenge. Rotherham had a penalty of their own saved in the first half with Tim Krul guessing correctly.  

Millers Manager, Paul Warne, had to watch his boyhood club and his current club lock horns from home whilst self-isolating. The Rotherham boss can be imagined having a smile on his face watching great work from Millers ‘keeper Jamal Blackman and the return of fan favourite Dan Barlaser to the starting eleven, but that smile soon turned to a rage has the Millers collapsed in the second half.

It was the Millermen who struck early on as Ladapo picked up the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and fired past Krul to give Rotherham an early lead. But Krul redeemed himself by saving the penalty taken by the man who had bettered him moments before. Ihiekwe turned the ball into his own net with Rotherham’s second own goal in as many games. Angus MacDonald was sent off after a needlessly heavy challenge sparking one sided afters from the men in yellow with the Rotherham man already heading for an early bath. Finally, Hugill converted from the spot to grab Norwich’s first win since opening day.

A Red card and a first half penalty told the story of an evening to forget as Denmark seized victory over 10-man England.

The Danes took control quickly in the game and mistake prone Harry Maguire risked his place on the field twice and was sent off for a rash challenge after his first in the opening minutes yielded only a yellow. A defensive mix up and a foul that only the referee saw gave the Danish a penalty, which Christian Eriksen converted.

A second half spark from England nearly brought a goal, denied only by the heroics of Kasper Schmeichel who seemed to claw the ball from behind his starting position and a goal line clearance kept the Danes in front in a famous victory over England.

A late penalty shout by England was waved away by the referee after Coady went down after a light brush at his heels. Tempers began to flare with the clock ticking down and a flurry of yellow cards for unkind words by England and a play acting performance worthy of an Oscar by Pedersen gave the referee a busy end to the game.

Edit: Reece James was also sent off after the final whistle for more unkind words

Harry Maguire was the first talking point of the first half, a ‘beg breaker’ challenge saw the Manchester United defender cautioned early on and dismissed later in another challenge that could have caused harm to the opponent. Moments later and England were in more trouble. Walker looked to have been fouled before a fumbling with his Goalkeeper, but a foul was given against Walker in a challenge that looked fair, with the referee thinking different and Eriksen converted from twelve yards. Good work down the right side by James and excellent delivery from both channels gave England hope of snatching an equaliser in the second half

However, the equaliser was not to come as England pushed desperately against a brick wall. An amazing save from Kaspar Schmeichel denied a certain goal and further defensive hard work kept Denmark on a clean sheet. A final free kick from Pickford summed up England’s evening as it flumped down to the first man and posed little threat to the Danish goal. A flurry of free kicks and yellow cards ended a cold evening at Wembley with Denmark above England in Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League, but the possibility of England, Denmark, and Belgium finishing top. Iceland are relegated to Group B

Full Time. England 0-1 Denmark

*Please note*

This match report is part of a university assignment and is in no way a polished entity. Please do not reproduce this in anyway. Any constructive criticism is welcomed and please tell me what you think in the post comments

Danny x

An own goal by Angus MacDonald, in added time, cruelly denied Rotherham three points after a 25 yard screamer by Ben Wiles.

The Rawmarsh based academy graduate looked to have secured a win for the Millers with his first half strike, but deep into injury time a miss hit shot by Pipa deflected off Angus MacDonald’s foot and into the net to rescue a point for the Terriers.

Rotherham started the game on the back foot. Centre Half ‘A. Mac’ crucially blocked a goal bound effort before the first minute had ticked by. Huddersfield showed their ability by far out matching the Millers with their passing accuracy, but looked vulnerable to the counter and lacked a spearhead through the Millers defense.

As the half progressed, so did Rotherham’s ability to push forward. Ladapo broke on the counter, but delivered a poor final ball. Wiles lofted good balls into the mixer that were cleared or claimed by the ‘keeper and the Millers won free kicks in dangerous attacking positions.

It was a half cleared corner that brought the first goal. Sadlier controlled as the ball fell to him on the right and played it to Wiles. He takes a touch, then another to set himself before striking from 25 yards and beats the ‘keeper low to his left.

Huddersfield tried to respond in the first half. A battle broke out between Hirst of the Millers and Sarr of the Terrirers, but that final ball or run didn’t come and Rotherham survived with their lead into half time.

HALF TIME- ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

The away side came out with more vigor and looked better at attacking the Millers goal. Fierce balls into the mixer missed multiple yellow shirts and attempts to beat the offside trap were both successful and got flagged by the near side linesman.

Former on loan Miller, Josh Koroma, got a clear unmarked chance at goal, but fired wide. He looked dangerous and tricky throughout the second half, the Millers kept their lead.

A naughty foul by Campbell on Blackman in the Millers’ goal caused a hold up in which treatment was given, but no card for the offender.

The injury to Blackman gave six additional minutes, which Huddersfield used to press a fit Millers side that looked to be gasping a bit from the constant pressure of the second half.

The equaliser came in the most sickening of ways. A miss hit shot by Pipa deflects off the foot of A. MacDonald before he knew where the ball was heading and nestled into the bottom right of the Millers goal. The Terriers celebrated like a winning cup final side. The Millers held their heads like the defeated cup final side.

It will feel like two points dropped for Rotherham, but 5 points from their opening 4 games will and should be taken as a positive. Just need to sort the passing accuracy and they should be okay. Seeing out games could be raised as an issue as 2 of the 3 conceded goals have come in added time, however only 3 conceded in 4 games isn’t really a negative.

FULL TIME- ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

Goals: Wiles (Rotherham), A. MacDonald (Own Goal)

Rotherham: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, A. MacDonald, Mattock, S. MacDonald (Lindsay 75′), Wiles, Crooks, Sadlier, Hirst (Smith 52′), Ladapo (Vassell 69′) subs not used: Johansson, Wood, Miller, Barlaser.

Hudderfield: Harmer, Pipa, Stearman, Sarr, Toffolo, Bacuna (Daly 78′), Hogg, Mbenza (Diakhaby 83′), Eiting, Koroma, Campbell. subs not used: Pereira, Duhaney, Crichlow, Brown, Olaguju.

Referee: A Woolmer

ROTHERHAM United have resigned loan hit, Dan Barlaser, on a permanent deal.

The Newcastle youngster returns to the Millers for an undisclosed fee on a 3 year deal.

“I’m really pleased” Millers boss, Paul Warne, told the Advertiser. “When Dan left us at the end of last season, we always wanted to get him back. He had a really influential year here with us.

“I really wanted Dan to succeed at Newcastle for his own sake,” Warne said. He’d been at the club since he was about nine. It was a dream of his and his family for him to play in the first team at Newcastle regularly.

“I politely kept my distance. I was always texting him to wish him well, but I was never saying: ‘when are you coming back?’ I wasn’t like that with him. I always wanted him to do well.

“when we got the green light that we could start the process, we did. It’s great t have him back, but I am tinged with a little bit of sadness for him because I knew what his dream was.

“It’s our job as a bunch of coaches to try and get him to the Premier League in another way.”

It has been reported by The Chronicle that: “the Magpies could earn 40+% of any future fee” should the Millers sell in future.

Barlaser wanted to test himself at his boyhood club with the goal of breaking into the Newcastle first team. Two outings in the EFL Cup in the black and white stripes came in 2020/21 for Barlaser, where he showed the vision and ability with long balls that shone in the red of Rotherham in League One.

“I was never going anywhere else” Barlaser told themillers.co.uk

The midfielder made 35 appearances for Rotherham last season in all competitions, bagging 2 goals and 5 assists in League One, most notedly the free kick against Blackpool at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Barlaser is available to face Huddersfield Town on Saturday (Oct 3^rd)

ROTHERHAM United suffered a 0-1 defeat in the first compatible games at the AESSEAL New York Stadium since February

Rotherham ended their first home game back in the Championship with a 0-1 deafest to Millwall

The Millers controlled much of the first half, but a mistake by Michael Ihiekwe and a premature commitment by Jamal Blackman in goal, cost Rotherham the hopes of points.

The game started with the Millers on top with balls into the 18 yard box threatening the Millwall goal, but their defence held firm.

Further attacks by Ladapo firing high and wide of the far post and a dangerous free kick on the stroke of Half Time showed Rotherham’s commitment to scoring the opening goal

HT- Rotherham 0-0 Millwall

The second half opened very differently. Millwall looked the team in charge and a mistake by opening day goalscorer, Michael Ihiekwe, gifted a chance to Millwall’s Wallace, who then took advantage of Jamal Blackman’s early commitment to place the ball into an empty Millers net.

Rotherham kept pushing for an equaliser, but Millwall sat on the 0-1 lead and saw out the game. Attempts at goal were blocked or intercepted, with a flash of 3 corners exciting Millers in the pub, but nothing materialised.

FT- Rotherham 0-1 Millwall

One win and one loss isn’t a bad return for the Millers over the first 2 games at championship level, but missed chances and a silly mistake will leave a sour taste in the lager filled mouths of Millers fans after a dominated first half.

Rotherham;Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, A. MacDonald, Mattock, Ogbene, S. MacDonald, Lindsay (Crooks 75), Sadlier (Wiles 65) Ladapo (Hirst 65) Smith

Millwall; Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace , Bradshaw, Romeo (Williams 74), Malone (Wallace 74), Pearce, Leonard, Woods, Bennett (Smith 82)

Goals: Wallace

Referee: Lee Doughty

ROTHERHAM United have completed the signing of George Hirst on loan from Leicester City.

The loan deal secured for Hirst will see him stay at the AESSEAL New York Stadium for the duration of the 2020/21 season.

The 21 year old forward has featured twice for The Foxes in the Premier League since signing in 2019 and a further 14 appearances in the Premier League 2, scoring 9 times.

George is the son of Sheffield Wednesday legend David Hirst, who turned out 294 times for the Owls and scored 106 times.

Hirst the younger was involved in the Owls academy and signed professionally in 2016/17, but only made 2 senior appearances in the EFL Cup and The Championship, as well as a singular appearance in the FA Youth Cup.

Wednesday offered a new contract at the end of the 2017/18, but Hirst turned it down and instead linked up with former Sheffield Wednesday player Nigel Pearson at OH Leuven, appearing 22 times and scoring 3 times throughout the season.

Hirst has been involved in the England international set up from Under 17 level, winning the Toulon Tournament as joint top scorer. Overall, from U17 to U20 level, Hirst has appeared 40 times for England and scored 17 times.

In 2020/21, Hirst had a singular appearance for Leicester in the EFL Trophy and scored before signing on at the Millers camp.

He told millers.co.uk

“I’m delighted to get it done. It’s a big opportunity for me. To come to Rotherham and find out that they’ve been after me for a while was obviously a big part in my decision.”

Hirst will link up with former Leicester City Goalkeeper, Viktor Johansson. They last appeared together in the Leicester U23’s set up.

Michael Ihiekwe, dubbed ‘Big Dave’ by the Rotherham faithful, scored the winner against Wycombe on opening day.

Rotherham United’s quest to finish as high as possible in the Championship started with a last minute win against fellow promoted side, Wycombe Wanderers.

Both sides started scrappy in the first half, trying for very ball. Up one end, then the other. The game started at 100mph.

Wycombe had the brighter chances early on, firing over from close range in the opening minutes. A free kick from the left was a carbon copy of the lob over Blackman in the pre season game against Hull, however the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Moments later, League debutant, Kieran Sadlier, drilled a free kick along the floor which caught everyone out. The Wycombe keeper scrambled to make the save, but pulled it off.

A mistake by Harding nearly have Wycombe a chance, but the recovery saved the Millers from conceding

As the half progressed, so did Rotherham, the Millers slowly grew into the game and went into the break on top… just.

Half Time: Wycombe 0-0 Rotherham

Rotherham came out the starting gate a team on a mission. From the whistle it was attack, but no end product.

Balls into the mixer we’re dealt with or gathered by Allsop in the Wycombe goal. Rotherham progressing more as the minutes tick by.

An attempt at having ‘silly buggers’ by Kashket on Blackman caught the eye of the camera, but the towering figure of the Rotherham ‘keeper just made him look silly with a simple throw over his head.

Minutes still ticking, Rotherham still attacking, Wiles launched a ball to Robertson which was just too high for the Scotsman.

The breakthrough for Rotherham came in the 92nd minute. Michael Ihiekwe connected beautifully with his head and scored what was the winning goal for the Millers

Vassell had one last attempt as Rotherham showed they were not content with a 0-1 lead. An attempt from 25 yards out sailed over the bar, but the job was done.

FT: Wycombe 0-1 Rotherham

The last time Rotherham won on opening day in the Championship was 6-0 demolishing of Millwall away from home in 2002-03.

The Millers questionable away record is already bettered this season by winning their first away game.

(Wycombe): Allsop (GK), Grimmer, Stewart, Charles, Jacobson, Bloomfield (Freeman 70’), Pattison (McCarthy 80’), Wheeler, Horgan, Onyedinma, Kashket (Parker 86’) 4-2-3-1

(Rotherham): Blackman (GK), Harding, Ihiekwe, Robertson, Mattock, Ogbene, S.MacDonald, Lindsay, Sadlier (Wiles 67’), Crooks (Smith 52’), Ladapo (Vassell 83’) 4-4-1-1

Goals: Ihiekwe 92’

Referee: James Linington