Three pivotal components of last season’s side have departed, a host of players have arrived during the summer, James Tavernier and Adam Le Fondre have been linked with a move back to the club and the bookies have made them favourites for relegation from the Championship, in many ways the close season of 2015-16 has been almost deja-vu to the previous season. In many other ways however, it is completely different. The uncertainty over the future of Kieran Agard, Wes Thomas and James Tavernier dragged on throughout almost the entirety of last Summer, whereas this year the long-serving trio of Ben Pringle, Kari Arnason and Craig Morgan all made there decisions to leave early which gave manager Steve Evans time to identify their replacements. To add to this, the Summer signings all seem to be of a higher quality than last season’s additions, 2014/15 saw the arrival of unproven League One journeymen such as Febian Brandy, Ryan Hall and Matt Sadler, whilst this Summer the Millers have added experienced Championship campaigners such as Danny Collins, Greg Halford and Lewis Buxton.
“It’s how you respond to adversity that ultimately determines how successful you will be”
This famous quote from the Millers’ chairman Tony Stewart is almost symbolic of a Steve Evans’ Rotherham United side. The much publicised five game winning run which led to promotion to League One in 2013 and the stunning comeback at Wembley Stadium to claim promotion to the Championship in 2014 were no flash in the pan and in a much changed squad from the double-promotion winning team, the famous Rotherham spirit again brought success. There were many moments in the 2014/15 season which could have provided the tipping point for a collapse in many sides. A 2-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Wigan Athletic in which the Latics spent most of the game defending for their lives, the 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in which the Millers’ bitter rivals scored two goals in injury-time to steal a thoroughly undeserved three points, were tough results to take and pushed the Millers dangerously close to the bottom three. Evans’ men responded in typical fashion claiming a crucial 1-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion which put them within touching distance of safety.
However, there was one more bomb dropped into the camp in the form of a three point deduction from the Football League for fielding an ineligible player (Farrend Rawson) in what they had believed to be a key win against Brighton. The rules of course are there for a reason, but I find it hard to understand why the Football League would want their to be a game in their elite competition to be meaningless and why they would feel comfortable if a team were undeservedly relegated due to an honest administration error. The inconsistency on their stance was further evident in their decision not to deduct points from Blackpool after a pitch invasion forced the abandonment of their game against Huddersfield Town. What is even more baffling are the comments in their official statement: The Board “believes that league points should always be earned on the field of play.” A slightly hypocritical outlook from the Football League and clarification of their stance would not go a miss.
The Millers did not allow themselves to go under despite this deduction and used the feeling of injustice to rally for one last push towards survival. They came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against eventual play-off winners Norwich City, a side packed with quality; to keep the race for survival in their hands. The pressure was intense for their game in hand against FA Cup semi-finalists Reading as they knew a win would seal survival. Once again, the Millers rolled their sleeves up and called on their famous team-spirit to secure a battling 2-1 win and with it, their Championship status. In the end justice was done as Wigan and Millwall deservedly joined Blackpool in League One.
There is no doubt that Rotherham United’s survival bid in 2014-15 was heavily aided by Wigan, Blackpool and Millwall seemingly committing to being shambolic for the season. This season though it looks very different. There is no Blackpool (a team that is a certainty to go down) and it is highly unlikely that a team will implode quite as spectacularly as Wigan Athletic did. The three teams coming up all look strong and well-equipped for the Championship and the teams who finished around the Millers have all strengthened. The League without a doubt looks one the strongest it has ever been and the quest for survival is colossal.
Ins
It has been a busy summer at Rotherham United. In other news grass is green and the sky is blue. On a serious note it is no secret that Steve Evans is no stranger to a signing or two, he made over thirty of them last season! This summer has been different to previous pre-seasons at the New York Stadium in terms of signings. Evans has played a very patient game and took his time identifying and attracting players to the club. The business the gaffer has done, on paper at least, looks excellent. Not a penny spent on transfer fees and eleven new players arriving at the club. Experienced duo Greg Halford and Danny Collins have signed from Nottingham Forest to try and tighten up last season’s leaky defence along with full-backs Joe Mattock and Lewis Buxton from Sheffield Wednesday. Evans also worked hard to complete double loan swoop for Derby County’s highly rated goalkeeper Kelle Roos and defender Farrend Rawson, who is of course well-known to Millers’ fans (I expect the paper work was thoroughly checked!). Completing the defensive picture is Tom Thorpe who made the move from Old Trafford with glowing references from Manchester United. On the staff front, highly regarded coach Erik Black has joined the club from Wigan Athleitc.
Another famous Premier League club has also allowed the Millers to borrow one of their starlets, Grant Ward has signed from Tottenham Hotspur on a six-month loan deal and has been in sensational form in pre-season with five goals to his name. To the wide areas the Millers have added players with a point to prove. A familiar face in Emmanuel Ledesma put pen-to-paper, signing a one-year deal to the delight of the Rotherham United fans after a successful loan spell from Middlesbrough last season. Aidy White has also signed a one-year deal and the winger will want to make up for lost time after a season hit heavily by injury at Leeds United. Chris Maguire rejected a new deal at Sheffield Wednesday to sign for the Millers, which is always a positive way to win over the Millers’ faithful.
All of the signings seem to carry a number of themes with them, all positive. Versatility is one with the majority of the summer signings equally capable of playing a number of positions. There is also a nice balance of experience and youth in the squad, which could build the foundations of a very successful side. Steve Evans has made it clear he still intends to add to his squad. Joe Newell has been training with the squad and impressed in the Millers’ friendly win over German Bundesliga outfit FSV Mainz 05. It is believed that Evans will make a decision on the versatile Peterborough United left back sooner rather than later. There are also whispers around the terraces of the imminent arrival of Jermaine Pennant on a free transfer, but there is nothing concrete from the club on that front. Evans also revealed he has the funds to do “what he likes” and that there is a bid on the table for an unnamed player, Marvin Sordell of Burnley is a name that has been linked but again there is nothing concrete on that front.
Outs
As always players have also moved on from the club this Summer. Ben Pringle opted to decline the club’s offer of a contract extension in favour of a move to Championship-rivals Fulham. Since making his return to the side in a game at Underhill against Barnet in 2012, Pringle has never looked back becoming a mainstay in the side and a crucial figure in the club’s recent success. Captain Craig Morgan is another pivotal figure over recent years to leave the club, opting to join League One side Wigan Athletic. Alongside him, defensive partner Kari Arnason also departed, securing a dream move to Swedish giants Malmo. Long-serving defender Mark Bradley was released after five years at the club. All four players served the club magnificently in its rise to the second tier and I wish them all well in their future careers. Also on the released list were Richard Brindley, Mat Sadler, Rob Milsom and Tony Thompson. Scott Loach and Conor Newton both left the club by mutual consent to join Notts County and Cambridge United respectively. Loan signings Damian Martinez (Arsenal), Jack Hunt (Crystal Palace), Daniel Lafferty (Burnley), Adam Hammill (Huddersfield) and Lawrie Wilson (Charlton) all returned to their parent clubs.
View from the stands
Rotherham United supporter Jordan Concannon discusses the Millers’ signings and prospects ahead of the 2015-16 season.
So, eleven signings during the summer for the Millers. Which have you been most impressed with?
And finally, where do you think we’ll finish this season?
My Verdict
The 2015-16 Championship season is going to be a brutal, unforgiving league packed with quality. To survive and prosper the Millers must address the problems which plagued their progress last season. A leaky defence and a lack of goals. The leaky back-line has hopefully been addressed with the addition of six new defenders ,a highly-rated goalkeeper and a coach renowned for bringing organisation to a side. Chris Maguire and Danny Ward could provide goals this season if they can keep themselves fit and find their best form. I also think it is time for one of Jonson Clarke-Harris or Jordan Bowery to repay some of the hefty fees paid for them last season. In my opinion though, the club still looks heavily reliant on Matt Derbyshire for goals and if he experiences a similar run he endured at the start of last season (It took him until January to register his first goal), the Millers could struggle again. If continues the form that saw him finish as the club’s top goalscorer, they could have a strong season. Another crucial factor to a successful side is stability and a settled side. The Millers never had that last season. They signed too many players and Evans seemed unsure of his best side. To succeed this season Steve Evans needs to keep the team settled. Filling it with squad players and players who can’t cut it in the Championship is a recipe for disaster and almost cost the club their Championship place. Evans admitted that he got it wrong before Christmas in terms of recruitment, after Christmas he got it almost 100% right.
In terms of goals for the season first and foremost survival should be the aim. As I’ve mentioned a number of times already the league looks much stronger this season and teams that finished around the Millers last season have strengthened. I don’t expect Brighton, Fulham or Reading to be any where near the relegation zone again this season for example. I expect the Millers to survive once again this season and if they can add a proven Championship striker to the club who can provide goals, they could finish mid-table. The problem is that everyone in the division is looking for a goalscorer and their aren’t many that Rotherham could realistically attract. The bookies seem to think it is a foregone conclusion that the Millers will be on of the relegated sides from the Championship come May, but if there is anything that Millers have been renowned for over the years it is defying the odds.