Millers on the up
Rotherham is a team with plenty of momentum behind them following successive promotions.
The Millers finished as runners-up in League 2 in 2013 before beating Leyton Orient on penalties at Wembley to secure promotion to the Championship via the Play-Offs in May.
Rotherham’s rise through the Football League has coincided with their move to a new home. The Millers’ relocation to the New York Stadium signalled a new era for the Club with Steve Evans at the helm and Tony Stewart providing the support.
htafc.com has previously previewed the five new Championship clubs ahead of the 2014/15 season. To read the preview on Cardiff (click HERE), Fulham (click HERE), Norwich (click HERE), Brentford (click HERE) and Wolves (click HERE).
ROTHERHAM UNITED
New York Stadium, New York Way, Rotherham, S60 1AH
HEAD TO HEAD
The Millers’ have some catching up to do in the head to head records. The Terriers have won three times as many matches as Rotherham with 27 wins compared to nine.
You have to go back to 1992, 11 meetings ago, to find Rotherham’s last victory. Since then, Town have won eight and drawn three.
The last five meetings have all finished in victories for the Terriers. Town have netted 17 times during those five matches, conceding six.
The latest meeting between the sides was in 2010 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Benik Afobe and Jordan Rhodes both bagged a brace as Town ran out comfortable 5-2 winners.
MANAGER
Steve Evans boasts an impressive win percentage as a manager. In professional football he has watched over 734 matches, winning 331 of them at a percentage of just over 45%.
The Glasgow-born striker failed to make 200 appearances as a player after retiring at 24 because a knee ligament injury. He featured for the likes of Albion Rovers and St Johnstone during his time as a professional.
His early years in management were shrouded in controversy; however he has achieved four promotions in the last four years with Crawley Town and Rotherham United. He took Crawley from the Conference Premier to League 1 before dropping down a division to join the Millers were he gained back to back promotions to the Championship.
He recently signed a new three year deal with the Millers.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
IN
Ryan Hall from MK Dons, free transfer
Richard Wood from Charlton, free transfer
Fabian Brandy from Sheffield United, free transfer
Frazer Richardson from Middlesbrough, free transfer
Paul Green from Leeds, free transfer
Conor Newton from Newcastle, free transfer
Matt Derbyshire from Nottingham Forest, free transfer
Scott Loach from Ipswich, free transfer
Kirk Broadfoot from Blackpool, free transfer
Jordan Bowery from Aston Villa, signed
Matt Sadler from Crawley Town, free transfer
OUT
Kayode Odejayi to Tranmere, free transfer
Scott Shearer to Crewe, free transfer
Nicky Adams to Bury, signed
Danny Hylton to Oxford, free transfer
Wes Thomas to Birmingham, free transfer
Lionel Ainsworth to Motherwell, free transfer
IN THE NEWS
KEY PLAYERS
Former Everton youngster Kieran Agard seems to be fulfilling his promise at the Millers. After fruitless loans at Peterborough and Kilmarnock from Everton, Agard joined Yeovil where he scored six goals in 13 games.
He joined the Millers in 2012 and has netted 32 goals in 65 starts; 26 of them came last season.
Rotherham also scored plenty of goals from midfielder and defence last term. Lee Frecklington netted ten in League 1 whilst Ben Pringle (5), Haris Vuckic (4) and James Tavernier (5) all chipped in.
Furthermore, Evans’ summer signings highlight his intent to purchase players with Championship experience – and a lot of them!
11 new faces have already arrived at the New York Stadium with the start of the season still over a month away. The most notable of those signings are in the forward areas. The Millers broke their transfer record to sign Jordan Bowery, whilst the acquisition of Matt Derbyshire on a free transfer could be very good business.
Watch Town take on Rotherham this season with a 2014/15 Season Card!
