HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

"Recent times have been the best ever to be a Miller. I love going to the New York Stadium and the rollercoaster we are on", "It's going to be a tough season, but let's remember how far we have come, how enjoyable it has been, play our part and believe."

Millers are pleased with the start their team has made this season. Two 1-0 wins early in their campaign established them in mid-table, and the mood is positive despite their team picking up just two points in the three games they have played since the August international break.

Fans were frustrated with the manner of their 3-2 loss at Bolton last Tuesday week, but they were happier with their two 1-1 draws. The Millers equalised late on at Bournemouth two Saturdays ago and took the game to Charlton at home last week, when the visitors were left hanging on for a point.

"In the second half, we stopped Charlton playing around with it at the back and pushed higher up the pitch. We had better movement with players in the box and we were in their faces. They couldn't live with it and it was more like last season", "I think we turned a corner on Saturday."

Holding Their Own

"We are over our first concerns in that we have shown we can compete", "We haven't been steamrollered by anybody", "We aren't Yeovil. We have what it takes to survive and establish ourselves at this level", "Anyone who thought we would storm the league needs their head examined."

"We're learning what it takes in the Championship and we're learning very quickly", "There are no grounds for concern at the moment", "It's important that we don't get dragged into the bottom three. Past experience shows that it is hard to get out of even if you do start winning games."

Steve Evans

"What I like about Steve Evans is his passion for the club. Most of us were born here and were afflicted from an early age. Despite never playing for us or having connections with the town, he gives the impression that it's more than a job to him", "God bless you, Steve", "Long may he reign."

"'Never say die' and ‘All for one' are easier when you're hunting the top six than when you are losing two out of three games. It's a big test for Evans. He managing for the first time in this league and has to maintain the confidence of a struggling team as opposed to a young team aiming for promotion."

Millers have huge affection for their manager and are under no illusions about the challenge he faces. He is praised for his tactical awareness and for his substitutions. "The three changes against Charlton changed the game. We wouldn't have drawn if he hadn't made them."

There has been one criticism: "Too many players have been signed that are probably decent League One players. We have quantity over quality", "Our high player turnover doesn't work in this league. Racking them up and shipping them out until you find the right ones - it's biting us on the backside."

Being Hard to Beat

"We are hard to beat and don't half graft away from home", "In the first half at Bournemouth, it was a stop start affair with no real chances created. There is no point going all out and going three down before the break", "Steve Evans is setting his team up not to get beaten by half-time."

"Last season we played with arrogance. This year we have looked tentative and nervous", "We are trying to defend to deep and keep our shape too rigidly. It seems that the players are thinking about where they need to be if we lose the ball instead of driving forward with intent."

Many fans understand why this cautious style of play is being used. "We have to play a more probing game. The team may have jumped two divisions in two years, but many of our fans are still in League Two. Aimless or hopeful shooting will get us nowhere and give the opposition the ball back."

Millers were thrilled with how their team threw off its shackles at half-time against the Addicks last Saturday. "The second half was brilliant and everything that the first half wasn't. It was just a braver performance and tactically spot-on", "We stamped our mark and it felt like Rotherham again."

Defence

"The back four look sorted", "The defence is as good as we are going to get", "Both full backs look competent." Millers have been happy with their defence, despite a poor performance against Bolton. "Their second and third goals were League Two defending. We threw points away tonight."

Scott Loach

"Loach was okay on Saturday, but didn't fill me with confidence." The 26-year-old former Ipswich keeper made his league debut on Saturday against Charlton, having arrived from Portman Road this summer. "He knows where to punch the ball and is quicker than Adam Collin at releasing it."

The life-long supporter of the Blues was criticised for his part in the Addicks' goal. "A long-range effort seemed to take the slightest deflection and the ball squirmed past Loach. In my opinion, Loach went down far too early to save the shot", "He ought to have done better."

"Loach did well but was at fault for Charlton's goal. It was a tame shot that bounced three times before hitting the net. I can only think his poor starting position was because he was taken by surprise in the build-up, but he will be very disappointed at getting beaten by that shot."

"Loach's kicking didn't fill me with confidence", "I noticed that he isn't very vocal. That may prove to be a problem", "He flapped at crosses on a couple of occasions." The jury is out on whether he is better than Adam Collin, who he has replaced.

"I was surprised and disappointed that Collin was replaced by Loach. He played well at Bolton, although he did make a crucial error in punching the ball which led to their winning goal." The 29-year-old former Carlisle player "is still our best keeper and must feel so unlucky at being dropped".

"We had been conceding too many goals and Collin always has that mistake in him", "He's a good keeper, but has been playing like a keeper expecting to get dropped. His saves have been brilliant when he has to react instinctively, but he has looked nervous when he has time to think."

With ex-Preston centre-back Craig Morgan suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Charlton, former Blackpool defender Kirk Broadfoot is expected to start. "One door shuts and another opens. I like the fact we have good cover."

The 30-year-old has struggled playing at right-back for the injured Frazer Richardson earlier in the season. "Playing Broadfoot as a full-back left us massively exposed on the right, as he is too slow or was miles out of position too often", "He looks a quality defender and will be fine when playing in his best position."

"Joe Skarz is Mr Dependable at left-back." The 25-year-old former Bury defender "has been targeted as a potential weakness, but has been proven to be solid at a higher level", "I thought he might struggle to make the step up to the Championship, but he's looked quite comfortable so far."

"Skarz is very fit and a safe choice. You know exactly what you are going to get from him. He's not good going forward, but positionally he's great", "He will never be a stand-out performer, but he will never let you down either, "He lacks pace and doesn't provide much of an attacking threat."

"In Frazer Richardson, we have a better all-round player than James Tavernier. He gets up and down and can defend properly, unlike Tavs who can be a bit gung-ho at times." The 31-year-old Rotherham born right-back and former Ipswich loan signing "is twice the footballer Tavernier was".

A foot injury hampered his start to his season. "Richardson needs games", "He did well in the first half against Bolton, but looked knackered in the second and they became a constant threat down our right flank", "He visibly tired against Bournemouth and wave after wave of attacks came down his wing."

Kari Arnason

"Cream always floats to the top. Arni has been our best player by a distance this season", "He's worth the ticket-price alone", "His ability to come out of the back with the ball is top six Championship quality", "If it wasn't for Arny, we'd be looking up at Fulham in the table."

"Have we ever had a classier centre-half?". Millers have consistently praised the 31-year-old former Aberdeen defender and Iceland international. "His vision is amazing. To see him collect the ball, look up and spread the play is awesome", "He can pick passes out now we have more quality in the side."

"Kari made [Charlton striker] Igor Vetokele look like a complete fool, so much so that the poor lad went down for five minutes feigning injury. He was that embarrassed", "The moment when the ball fell from the sky and he killed it with one touch was sublime", "He has been brilliant at this level."

Central Midfield

"Our current formation isn't working. It seems to be three central midfielders forced in with Taylor stuck on the wing", "Our entire midfield was too ponderous in the first half against Charlton", "We have been let down here. They don't get up enough to help the one or two strikers in the box."

The Millers have varied their midfield set up, playing with four or five across the middle. Fans feel that they have sacrificed creativity for solidity when playing 4-5-1. When this has been coupled with a lack of a threat out wide and no genuine pace, their strikers have struggled.

"With our lack of a wide threat, the only way to attack is through the middle. The long ball to the target-man doesn't work are our midfield are too withdrawn, and we don't have the players to drive through the middle or interchange quick passes."

"Richard Smallwood does all of the dirty work in midfield and we would be overrun without him." The 23-year-old former Middlesbrough player "is not a hard midfielder but seems to read the game better and we need that".

"Smallwood and Paul Green are too similar and just shouldn't start in the same side", "Continuing to play them together speaks of a lack of confidence in our defence", "Much as they are both good players, playing them together is too negative."

"Lee Frecklington replaced Smallwood at half-time against Charlton, and we witnessed the most positive one-sided half since our promotion." The 29-year-old former Peterborough man "definitely improves the creativity in our midfield", "He puts more pace and directness in our midfield".

"The introduction of Frecklington was pivotal to our improvement. He makes more forward passes than most. He drives the team forward and is prepared to shoot", "It was like someone told him to run at Charlton's defence instead of stopping and passing sideways", "He galvanised us with his industry."

Anthony Wordsworth

"Wordsworth is slow and not as good as Frecklington", "He is so slow that I'd give him a race", "He's just one-paced and generally too slow. He can execute a good pass if allowed enough time, but he doesn't offer enough to the team", "He could move the ball with more tempo."

The 25-year-old ex-Colchester man is on loan from us and won't feature on Saturday. "He is strong and aware, taking up great positions throughout the game and is excellent with his support and link-up play", "He was the best player on the pitch at Bolton, working hard and popping up in the box."

Paul Green

"Paul Green is our unsung hero", "He was everywhere against Charlton and made countless important tackles and interceptions to break up any threat to our dominance in the second half. He was the main link player to both flanks, linking up deep to retrieve the ball."

The 31-year-old former Ipswich loan signing "never lost a tackle nor did he give the ball away. He made some incisive passes that bypassed and stretched their midfield. He ran from deep with purpose and intelligence, constantly putting Charlton on the back foot".

The former Leeds and Derby midfielder's "ball retention is second to none. We look a much more unified side with him in it", "Green's a big player for us, and just does the basics right", "Tell him to play the defensive midfield role and he's in his element. Ask him to be attacking and he looks lost."

Wide Midfield

"The need this team has for two wingers is painful", "We miss Tavernier and Agard terribly. They had the pace that gave us a counter-attacking option and we had a route out of defence on either flank", "Last season we were about pace and width. This season we look slow and lack ideas."

"Ben Pringle gives you the type of quality on the left-wing that has been missing", "You can't beat a good cross into the box, which is what Pringle gives you." The 25-year-old former Derby man set up Saturday's equaliser, crossing from the left wing within minutes of replacing Paul Taylor from the bench.

"Pringle needs to be sharper both in his control and in his movement or he'll be pushed aside by quicker and stronger opponents", "The problem is that crossing and energy is mainly what he offers. He needs to hold the shape of the team. Too many times he drifts inside and exposes our full-back."

Paul Taylor

"Ipswich fans don't seem happy with McCarthy. In an interview he was saying that Taylor never showed what he could do while with them. Well McCarthy, Taylor is doing a good job here in Rotherham. When he starts scoring for us, your fans will be screaming at you to get him back."

These comments from the beginning of September are worthy of inclusion to help understand how Millers relationship with Taylor has evolved. Suspicions have grown since they were made, as that elusive first goal has refused to materialise.

The 26-year-old former Peterborough man is on loan from us and cannot play on Saturday. He has been widely praised for his industry and his touch. "Even if going forward is a rarity for us, about 90% of it goes through Taylor", "His first touch is outstanding and so is his dribbling with the ball."

"Taylor with a shot off balance and he skies it", "He gets under the ball when he shoots it, and most of his efforts go over the bar", "How many times is Taylor going to hit the woodwork before he scores?", "He has been unlucky to hit the woodwork maybe five times."

His finishing and lack of awareness have been criticised. "He is good, but he does need to learn when to release the ball. It's almost like a pass is his last option", "Without doubt he is a big talent, but he needs to be more selfless in his play."

"Is anyone coming around to my way of thinking? Taylor was appalling today [against Charlton]. He has little intelligence as a footballer. He works hard and that is it. He will be playing League Two football by the end of the 2015 season."

A good number of Millers have given up on him. "He's all pace and no product. He's not a winger and not a striker. I'm not sure what he is", "He flatters to deceive", "He's not for me. Loads of sweat and action, but he has no awareness or end product except for those punters in Row P."

"He has the heart of a lion and did a lot of running, but lost possession more than enough times", "He had a glorious opportunity to bury one and missed woefully"

Strikers

"We play some enterprising football at times, albeit lacking that pass in the final third", "We cannot and do not know how to open teams up", "Our inability to create many meaningful chances is very concerning", "We need to be more ruthless and believe in ourselves more."

"We need to learn to shoot from outside the box and pass the ball forwards instead of backwards when in the last third", "Our long ball game hasn't been working against decent defences", "Shot-shy doesn't begin to explain it", "We play well up to the 18-yard box and then it all falls away."

Millers felt that they turned a corner against Charlton when their front two played well with good service from the flanks. "I think we found our partnership today in Becchio and Bowery. Those two in the box will cause no end of problems from the quality service of Richardson and Pringle."

"We have tried to play the long ball up to Alex Revell as a target-man, but that hasn't worked terribly well. He has been assaulted for the majority of every game he has played and the midfield hasn't the legs to support him as they play deeper", "He offers something different to our other forwards."

The 31-year-old former Orient striker "is busting a gut for the team and getting kicked and punched by opposing defences. He needs a strike partner to get on the end of his passes and flicks", "His play-off final goal hasn't left my memory and never will", "Revell epitomises what the team is all about."

"Did anyone else notice that Matt Derbyshire threw his bib down in anger when Pringle got the call to be the last substitute on Saturday?" He's had his chances, and does seem to be improving, but I don't see him as a regular goal scorer", "Get Bury on the phone. He's dog-poo and that's being kind."

Millers have been relentless in their criticism of the 28-year-old former Blackburn and Forest striker. "When Derbyshire plays it's like having 10 men, because he's non-existent", "He's far too lightweight. He might be one of Evans more expensive screw-ups", "He just cannot be this bad."

Luciano Becchio

"A fit Becchio will be worth watching, but he's far from fit at the moment." The former 30-year-old former Leeds striker has joined United on loan from Norwich until January. "He is fat and slow but that will improve. He was blowing at the end after an hour on the pitch [against Charlton]."

The Argentine scored the Millers' equaliser on Saturday. "Becchio is a game changer for me. He has what all good strikers have, charisma. His physical presence and know-how makes things happen", "He reminds me of Alan Lee when he first arrived and was way off the pace for the first few games."

"His performances he gave me great heart. His willingness to come short, lay it off and then get forward was impressive. Time and again he looked dangerous on the shoulder of the last defender. His physical presence was a real thorn in Charlton's side", "He could be the catalyst for the season."

Jordan Bowery

"To survive in this league we need pace, and Jordan Bowery has that." The 23-year-old former Aston Villa front man "is willing to gamble on running in behind defences to stretch them", "I like him. Stick him and Becchio together and see what happens. He's a handful and has the composure to finish."

Bowery found the net against Bolton and Bournemouth. "He looks a different player after that all-important first goal", "He has improved no end looking at his Charlton performance", "His movement off the ball was excellent. He grafted and grafted. We need a good song for him."

Millers' Thoughts on ITFC and the Game

"After watching the Wigan v Ipswich game last night, I can honestly say I don't think we have a thing to fear at this level. These two teams are supposed to be top teams and I thought they looked very average and certainly bottom half of league."

There has been little comment on Saturday's game or anything by the way of score forecasts. I will update the forum on Saturday morning if they have gathered their thoughts nearer to the game. There were a small number of comments from Millers who watched Monday's win at Wigan.

"Apparently Rosler accused Ipswich of 'roughing up' Wigan, as if it were not in the rules of the game or something. It was reminiscent of Peeters's comments about our physicality. It should make for an interesting match-up on Saturday."

One Miller picked up on Mick's post-match interview. "Big Mick did say to the BBC last night that he is more worried about us than their run of three matches unbeaten. Make of that what you will. I think that it's a bit out of the school of Evansology".

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Photo: Action Images

Bluebell added 12:16 - Sep 26 Fanastic read as usual Harry. Love the comments about Taylor. Let's hope Scott Loach is in goal. We know he is prone to make mistakes and our strikers know his weak points. The one I worry about is Green. We know what he can do. A player I would have loved to have here again this season. We can win this one. I will go for a 2.0 again. 4 on the bounce would be amazing.

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blueblood66 added 12:23 - Sep 26 tough game in store as usual, no easy matches in this division, a great reading as usual sir. Thanks
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gazzmac4 added 12:31 - Sep 26 Top work as always Harry! Interesting comments on Loachy, Wordy and Taylor. Pretty much sums up the majority of feelings we have given on here over the past months. Wordy going has made way for Teddy, Deano is looking much more assured this year so far in goal and Taylor hasnt really ever done the biz for us so im still relatively non fussed we let them all move on. Interesting point about the Wigan game. i thought we looked very good and a number of my non town supporting work mates who watched agreed. Fingers crossed! 4 in 4 a real chance. COYB's!

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cookra added 12:36 - Sep 26 Awesome stuff once again H Think from reading their comments they have sussed out what we already knew about all our old boys. fancy a fourth on the bounce here COYB
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Jimmy86 added 13:23 - Sep 26 Great read as ever, thanks Harry. 1 thing stood out for me though and thats bearing in mind we are 7th and a point shy of the play offs, looking for our fourth win on the bounce what deluded rotherham fan thinks both us and wigan are going to finish bottom half of the league, id bet on both us and wigan finishing higher than rotherham!!! Another 3 points tomoz please and keep this run going

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StowTractorBoy added 13:34 - Sep 26 Tomorrow will not be an easy game I am sure as they are a very high energy hard working side and will do all they can to match us in that department. I too wanted us to keep Green who if not a regular would have been a very good squad player. Interesting comments on Loach and confirms what I always thought - he will probably have a stormer tomorrow if he plays, but that looks in the balance. Taylor sounds same old and one wonders if he will ever recapture his Peterborough form. Great read again Harry - excellent work.

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spanishblue added 14:08 - Sep 26 Harry I for one hopes Taylor stays there or anywhere away from us,Itfc,I don't care if he does well ,good luck to him if he ever shows signs of growing up and being grateful for a talent he's been given,that he's to idol to use then maybe he'd be useful he can't keep his brain on long enough,MM says the modern game require people to think and work hard.It seems to me that since Wordsworth and Taylor have gone our improvement has been quite dramatic oh and poor Frank

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ipswichboi added 14:30 - Sep 26 I smell a couple of red cards... Physical battles all over the park but Town to prevail.
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pazelle added 15:33 - Sep 26 2-0 to the Tractor Boys! Nice work Harry!
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JimInGreensboro added 00:38 - Sep 27 Sounds like Mings is going to shred their right side.
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reaper added 07:20 - Sep 27 It's worth pointing out that the comment about the Wigan and Ipswich game was from a fan that didn't know which team was which and believed Ipswich 'didn't start playing until the last 10 minutes'.
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Kormoran added 09:03 - Sep 27 Nice review, but I'm a bit surprised that there's no mention of their 2-goal Wembley hero, Alex Revell. He's very good in the air and will deliver a real physical threat up front. Evans may prefer to start with Becchio of course who is no mug at this level.
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HarryfromBath added 09:31 - Sep 27 Many thanks everyone for chipping in with your thoughts and comments. No game is straightforward in this division, and I reckon that Rotherham will set out to frustrate us just as they did at Bournemouth. Patience will be important, as their defence seems solid (possibly excepting the keeper!). Kormoran, Alex Revell does get mentioned in the strikers section, just before Matt Derbyshire. They have huge affection for him, as you rightly say, but are starting to see him more as an impact substitute now that Becchio is gaining match fitness. I agree that Becchio is likely to start today. Reaper, you are absolutely right - the Miller who made the comment about our Wigan game was confused on a number of things about the game. The comment went in as they have had so little specifically to say about the game. Jim - I think that Mings will have to keep an eye on Richardson as he has a bit of Carlos Edwards in his game. I agree that Richardson's fitness will be something to watch though. I would be good to see 'wave after wave' of Ipswich attacks down left flank. Bluebell, Green has established himself as a pivotal player in their set-up and he could take control of the midfield given time and space. He and Becchio are the danger men for me. I hope that we can follow up two 2-0 home wins with another one, and should do if everything goes to plan.

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ericclacton added 09:39 - Sep 27 Good read H, 1-1, sounds about right, in my head.
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