Player ratings: Rotherham United 0-0 Nottingham Forest

The Millers have now gone nine games without a win after they were held to a goalless draw at the New York Stadium by Nottingham Forest. Their problem again was finding that vital first goal and have now only scored one goal in their last seven games. 

Rotherham were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half. Ledesma’s  thunderous shot cannoned off the bar and Tom Lawrence missed a guilt edged chance which he put just wide. The second half was much like the first, with the Millers on the front foot. Ben Pringle also found himself with a chance in the box but the bounce of the ball didn’t help him as his shot ballooned over the bar. Reece James’ volley was well saved by Darlow leaving the Millers increasingly frustrated. Forest did have the ball in the net midway through the second half but the referee spotted a foul in the box and ruled the goal out. Forest’s best chance of the game fell or didn’t fall, that was the problem; to Britt Assombalonga who was an inch from putting Forest ahead from a low cross into the box. No shots on target for Forest tells the story of their day. The Millers can take a lot of positives from the game. The style of play was much more easy on the eye and they were creating chances. If they can turn some of the draws they’ve been having (six out of nine) into wins and find their scoring boots, they should have enough to survive. 

Rotherham United

Adam Colin: He honestly didn’t have a great deal to do apart from some routine catches from crosses and set pieces. 6.7
Scott Wooton: He’s been solid since his loan move from Leeds. Dealt really well with Antonio and offered an option down the right. 6.8
Craig MorganSolid and assured presence at the back. Didn’t give Assombalonga a sniff. 7.0
Kari Arnason: Back to his best again today. Dealt with most threats Forest threw at him. 7.0
Reece James: Good going forward and unlucky not to score when his volley was well saved by Darlow. Also showed he’s more than capable defensively. 7.2
Emmanuel Ledesma: Very lively throughout the game and looked like he could make something happen. A little frustrating at times as he does seem to dwell on the ball a little. He was still impressive though. 7.0
Paul Green:  Gave the ball away a couple of times but apart from that had a good game. He’s got great energy in the middle. 6.8
Richard Smallwood:  Broke up the play well enough and picked out some decent passes. Done very well since breaking back into the team. 6.8
 Ben PringleThe effort was there and he was a little unlucky in the second half with a chance that just bounced in front of him. 6.7
 Tom Lawrence: Good quick feet and trickery. Should have scored in the first half but that was the only blot on an impressive performance. 6.9
 Alex Revell: Typical Alex Revell, worked hard and brought others into play. Solid performance. 6.6

Substitutions

Paul Taylor: Again he didn’t have much time to make an impact being brought on in the 82nd minute. Still had time to miss a decent chance but that’s unfair, he looked quite lively. 6.5
Jordan Bowery: Not sure why he’s constantly played on the right. Didn’t have much time to make an impact but that was probably because he wasn’t in the box. N/A

Nottingham Forest

 Karl Darlow: Looked a little shaky early on but recovered to make a good save from Reece James. 6.8
Eric Lichaj: Did well defensively and offered an option going forward. 6.8
Michael Mancienne: Solid display him and Wilson looked a decent partnership. 7.0
Kelvin Wilson: Again he was a solid and assured presence. 7.0
Danny Fox: Rounded off a decent day for the Forest back line. Solid throughout the game, the defence wasn’t their problem. 6.8
Jamie PatersonEffort was there but he didn’t really create much. 6.5
Robert TescheAgain it was a lack of creative spark that let him and his team down. 6.5
Henri Lansbury: Tried to make something happen with his energy in the middle but failed to materialise. 6.7
Michail Antonio: By far and away Forest’s most dangerous player quick and powerful and got some decent crosses into the box. 7.1
 Dexter BlackstockHave to be honest, there were times where I forgot he was on the pitch, very quiet. 6.2
 Britt AssombalongaWas surprisingly quiet. Missed a decent chance near the end but apart from that he was marked out of the game. 6.3

Substitutions

Tom Ince: Didn’t really add much when he came on, disappointing. 6.4

Man of the Match

, Player ratings: Rotherham United 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Reece James: My first impressions were that he was good going forward but slightly suspect defensively. My opinion has changed after solid displays at both Cardiff and against Forest yesterday. Dealt well with the threat of Antonio and Ince when he came on and was unlucky not to score late on.  7.2
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