Town travel to Rotherham United for Tuesday’s rearranged live-on-Sky game aiming to gain ground on leaders Leicester City and pull away from Leeds United in third.

The Blues, who took their new club record unbeaten away league run to 16 matches via Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham, sit four points behind the Foxes and seven points in front of the Whites going into the tomorrow’s match, which is their game in hand.

The match was originally set to be played on Friday 20th October but was called off three hours before its scheduled start after the River Don broke its banks due to Storm Babet.

Rotherham are currently third-bottom of the Championship on 10 points from 14 games - one place higher than when the fixture was originally set to take place - having finished 19th last season.

They have won twice in the league at the New York Stadium during 2023/24 - a 2-1 success against Norwich City at the start of September and a 2-0 defeat of Coventry late last month - and have lost two and drawn three, including Saturday’s 1-1 stalemate with fellow strugglers QPR.

They also recorded an on-penalties victory over League Two Morecambe in the Carabao Cup first round following a 1-1 draw.

The Millers go into Tuesday’s match with the victory over the Sky Blues their only win in nine games.

Only two teams have scored fewer than Rotherham’s 13 goals in the Championship this season, while just Norwich City, 30, have conceded more than their total of 27, nine at home and 16 away.

The last four Town matches at the New York Stadium have all ended in 1-0 victories to the home side and manager Kieran McKenna is again anticipating a difficult match despite the current disparity in the sides’ relative positions.

“Obviously we’ve prepped the game twice now,” he told TownTV. “We’ve had a really good look at them and their strengths are clear, they’re a really strong team at home, that was apparent when we were going to play them last time they were competitive and picking up points in pretty much every home game.

“Since the break, they’ve beaten Coventry on a night game and they’ve got the draw on Saturday against QPR.

“We know it’s a really tough place to go. We know that they like to make the games really physical, really intense at their stadium.

“And we know we’re going to have to stand up to that and we’re going to have to play really well to come out on top.

“We’re fully aware of the scale of the challenge but it’s another one to look forward to. We want to be taking these challenges head on and going their on a Tuesday night with the supporters behind us, it’s going to be a really good game.”

McKenna praised the contribution of the Blues support as his side came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Birmingham on Saturday and again believes the fans getting behind the players will play a role.

“It’s been a massive part of the good away record that we’ve had,” he added. “We’re going to need that again and it’s so important for us and we appreciate that some supporters maybe are going to be making the journey twice, so as much as that’s frustrating for us, it’s more so for them and we’ll do everything we can to show the resilience and the character and the quality that we’re going to need to hopefully get a result they can enjoy.”

Rotherham are now under the management of former Exeter City boss Matt Taylor following Paul Warne’s departure after six years in charge in September 2022.

Speaking prior to the game’s initial date, McKenna was asked whether the Millers are significantly different following the change of manager.

“Probably more system-wise,” he reflected. “I think in the second half of last season, they played more of a 4-3-3 and they've carried that on for most of the games this year.

“But they're pretty versatile between playing a back four and a back five. Even in the Southampton game [at St Mary’s before the international break, which ended 1-1] they started with a back four and made the change after less than half an hour to a back five that helped them get the result. 

“We know that they're pretty versatile and they've got maybe a little bit more pace in one-v-ones than they had maybe this time last year in the wide areas, but they've also still got the direct threat.

“An opponent that we fully respect, they've got a year's extra experience than us in the division and we'll have to go there and play well for sure.”

Quizzed on the importance of Rotherham skipper Jordan Hugill, targeted by Town during his time with Preston, McKenna, again speaking before the postponed match, added: “He's scored a couple of great goals lately that will have grabbed the headlines.

“They've got other threats, obviously. [Sam] Nombe is their club record signing [£1 million from Exeter], who they signed in the summer and they've brought in two really good wingers [Andre Green from Aston Villa and Fred Onyedinma on loan from Luton, as well as Arvin Appiah on loan from Almeria] and they've changed their shape a little bit from when we played them in January.

“They've got pace, they've got wide threats, they've got, of course, Hugill, who has been scoring some really good goals and they're a big threat on set plays. 

“We know the opposition that we're facing and we're going to have to stand up to that really well.”

Might the game be similar to the recent 1-1 draw with Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium?

“Stylistically, there's probably some comparisons there,” McKenna considered. “You can never say for sure, but stylistically that was such a different game to Blackburn, the game before that in the league or the Hull game that came after it, which was so, so different. 

“I'd expect it to be more on that end of the scale and there are things that we didn't do very well against Huddersfield that we need to do better this game.

“And it's not always in your control. We can't dictate how the game's going to be for the whole 90 minutes, but we need to do some things better than we did against Huddersfield to dictate more of the game.

“And then, on the other hand, we need to do some of the things that we did well at Huddersfield to get what was a hard-fought point.

“I think it's a league of really varied challenges and I think Rotherham away or Huddersfield away are two types of game in which you have to stand up really, really well to have a chance of getting points.”

The teams last met in January in the FA Cup when the Blues ran out 4-1 winners at Portman Road.

Then Town were a division below the Millers but now they go into Tuesday’s match 21 places ahead of the South Yorkshiremen and the favourites, an indication of the Blues’ growth over the last 10 months.

“It’s not a game that we've looked back on too much, to be honest, because it was a different competition,” McKenna continued.

“To be fair, they had a really strong second half of the season after that. Whenever we played them, they'd had a few injuries and they'd lost a few in a row in January, but both clubs went on to a strong second half of the season for Rotherham.

“That meant staying up pretty comfortably, and for us, it obviously led to promotion, so both teams finished off last season well.

“Of course, we've had a better start to this season, but as I've said before, every game in this division can go either way. The last game they had before the break was [the draw] away to Southampton.

“I'm sure everybody would have had it down as a nailed-on Southampton home win and they went there and got a fantastic point.

“So we know that it's going to be a really difficult challenge. We can't take anything for granted and we're going to have to perform really, really well to have a chance.”

McKenna may look to make one or two changes with the game the third of four in 11 days with Swansea City visiting Portman Road on Saturday.

Vaclav Hladky will be in goal with Brandon Williams appearing an unlikely starter at right-back even if he makes the trip to South Yorkshire.

The on-loan Manchester United man was feeling better on Sunday, having missed the Birmingham match through illness, but hadn’t trained when McKenna spoke to TownTV on Monday morning and was due to be assessed on whether he would travel later in the day.

Even if Williams has made the trip, Harry Clarke seems set to continue at right-back with Leif Davis on the left and Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess the centre-halves.

In central midfield, McKenna may rest Massimo Luongo, in which case skipper Sam Morsy will be joined by Jack Taylor.

The Blues boss may also look to made one or two changes of personnel in the three behind the striker with Kayden Jackson perhaps coming in on the right for Omari Hutchinson and weekend two-goal hero Marcus Harness on the left for Nathan Broadhead.

Conor Chaplin will probably continue in the centre, while Freddie Ladapo could be in line for a start against his old club with George Hirst joining Hutchinson, Harness and Luongo on the bench.

As would have been the case in the original fixture, Town will wear their new white and black third kit for the first time.

Rotherham manager Taylor has been hugely impressed by the Blues and their start to the campaign.

“We're playing against one of the best teams in the league, who are so strong and have been consistent throughout the course of the season so we have to respect that and be understanding of that but still back our way of playing at home,” he told his club’s official website.

”Our home performances continue to be our solid platform to survive on and we need to keep that going, certainly against a good team.

“I think if you wanted to see the strength of their squad you only have to look at the team they played against Fulham.

“It was a competitive game which we watched and they made [11] changes. That shows how strong that group is. There is competition for places and quality, with some know-how of the level.

“There's a lot to admire about what Ipswich have done so far this season, but we've got to back ourselves on our home patch and try and throw them off their attacking rhythm.”

Midfielder Jamie Lindsay is expected to return to the Millers squad having recovered from an achilles injury, but is most likely to be involved from the bench.

Defender Lee Peltier, who missed Saturday's draw due to a hamstring problem, has trained today but could still miss out against the Blues.

Centre-half Grant Hall, who has had a hip injury, is on his way back, but the Town game is expected to come too soon for him.

Winger Fred Onyedinma played through illness against QPR but the former Wycombe and Luton man is now feeling better.

Town have won 16 of the previous games between the sides (15 in the league) eight have ended in draws (eight), with the Millers having won 13 (13), including the last four in the league.

The Blues have won only one of the last nine between the teams in the league since winning 5-2 in South Yorkshire eight years ago to the day of Tuesday's match when Daryl Murphy netted a hat-trick.

The teams last met in the FA Cup third round in January, the first ever cup meeting between the sides, when Town comprehensively won 4-1 at Portman Road.

The Blues went in front just before half-time through Cameron Humphreys, but Conor Washington levelled for the Millers two minutes after the restart.

However, a Town penalty netted by Chaplin, a goal against his old club from Ladapo and a third spot-kick of the match from Wes Burns saw the Blues to a comfortable victory.

In the league, the teams last met at the New York Stadium in April 2022 with Rotherham on their way to promotion to the Championship as runners-up in League One.

Michael Smith’s 78th-minute goal saw the Millers to their most recent of their four consecutive 1-0 home victories over the Blues, mathematically ending any remaining hopes Town might have had of making the play-offs.

The Blues had the best chance of the first half, James Norwood scuffing wide at the far post, but the Millers, who had won only one of their previous seven in League One, were well on top after the break with Smith striking the game’s only goal.

In November 2021 at Portman Road, a goal in either half from Ben Wiles and Shane Ferguson saw Rotherham to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Blues, extending the Millers’ unbeaten run to 15 games and taking them to the top of League One.

Wiles opened the scoring on 24 with a shot from the edge of the box with Ferguson adding the second a minute before the hour with Town never looking like getting back into the match.

Blues striker Ladapo left the Millers in the summer of 2022 prior to signing for Town having spent three years in South Yorkshire.

Ladapo joined Rotherham in June 2019 and scored 41 goals in 78 starts and 41 substitute appearances.

Fellow Blues frontman Hirst spent 2020/21 on loan with the Millers, making four Championship starts and 27 sub appearances (plus one more in the FA Cup) without scoring.

Dominic Ball was with the Millers between 2016 and 2019, making 14 starts and one sub appearance.

Tuesday’s referee is Graham Scott from Oxfordshire, who has shown 33 yellow cards and one red in six games this season.

Scott’s last Town match came way back in the final Championship game of the 2014/15 season at Blackburn when the Blues were beaten 3-2 but still made the play-offs.

Scott yellow-carded Cole Skuse and Jay Tabb that day and awarded the Blues a penalty, which was dispatched by Murphy, after Teddy Bishop had been felled by Tommy Spurr. At the other end, Rovers had a decent call dismissed after Tyrone Mings tripped Adam Henley.

Prior to that, Scott was in charge of the 1-0 FA Cup replay defeat to Southampton at Portman Road in January 2015 in which he kept his cards in his pocket throughout.

He also refereed the 2-1 home victory over Doncaster in April 2014, cautioning Christophe Berra and three of the visitors.

Earlier that season, Scott was the man in the middle for the 1-0 home loss to Burnley, again not using his cards throughout the 90 minutes.

The previous season, he took control of the 2-0 home loss to Wolves, booking two of the Midlanders and Michael Chopra.

In August 2011, in his first Town match, he sent off both Lee Martin and Tommy Smith - the first time Town had ever had two players red-carded in the same match - as the Blues were hammered 7-1 at Peterborough, also booking Damien Delaney, Grant Leadbitter and two Posh players.

Squad from: Hladky, Walton, Clarke, Williams, Donacien, Davis, Woolfenden, Burgess, Edmundson, Tuanzebe, Morsy, Luongo, Taylor, Ball, Humphreys, Jackson, Chaplin, Broadhead, Harness, Aluko, Hutchinson, Hirst, Ladapo, Jackson, Scarlett.

Photo: TWTD

WeWereZombies added 18:01 - Nov 6 No place in the squad for Tuanzebe ?
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Linkboy13 added 18:09 - Nov 6 We seem to have lost our fluency in recent weeks but our magnificent team spirit and togetherness is pulling us through along with our incredible supporters. We need to get Burns back fit and possibly start with Harness who gives us a better balance between defence and attack as proved in the Hull game best performance of the season.
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Pencilpete added 18:45 - Nov 6 It’s a mere 2 years since Paul Cook said we should aspire to be like Rotherham
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blueboy1981 added 18:48 - Nov 6 Get ready to mark me down you usual Gang - but here goes ! If any of YOU, Players, or Manager thinks this game will require anything less that 100% commitment and concentration from ALL - you could be in for a Huge Shock !! Let’s hope for a Win, but anything less than the above, will not produce that desired result !
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itfc2001 added 19:18 - Nov 6 BB19i another pointless post.
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itfc2001 added 19:18 - Nov 6 Apologies BB1981
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SpiritOfJohn added 19:19 - Nov 6 Don't forget that Humphreys bossed the midfield in last season's FA Cup game against the Millers, so would be good to see him get a run out in his preferred midfield position if Luongo is being rested.
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bobble added 19:32 - Nov 6 2-1 to town and horse 21 to win the melbourne cup...
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Saxonblue74 added 19:41 - Nov 6 As usual, no stone unturned by the guvnor. Every opposition player analysed in depth. He must be enjoying the different challenges thrown up by different opposition rather than trying to break down teams as we had to for most of last season.
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Karlosfandangal added 20:07 - Nov 6 Expect a wobble soon after the last 3 matches…..if Town can win the next 2 and then recharge on the international break….then go again for a busy December. Finger crossed Can see Town out of the top 2 by Christmas unless they stop letting in early goals.
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Saxonblue74 added 20:48 - Nov 6 There’s some very strange negativity creeping in! Pretty tough crowd considering most would have taken a top half finish this season. I have BB81 on ignore but was unfortunate enough to catch his ridiculous post before logging in. If you take the time to read the article I think you’d see that nobody at the club is taking tomorrow night, or any other game for granted. We are a 100% professional outfit these days.

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herfie added 21:03 - Nov 6 No question that the lads will be laser focussed and give maximum effort - KM and SM will accept nothing less. Bro, however, have a concern - as will others - regarding our ability to avoid conceding soft goals; usually from balls down the side, and crosses into our box. Responsibility for stopping such breaks rests not just with our defenders. Outfielders have a big responsibility for not loosing possession through sloppy, misplaced, passes. Something KM will undoubtedly have clicked! COYB!

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Saxonblue74 added 21:09 - Nov 6 Herfie, we’ve conceded 4 away goals this season. 2 were Saturday, one avoidable and one a very unlucky own goal. We’re tight away from home but more open at PR due to our style. Something that can be improved upon but no real concern.
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herfie added 21:30 - Nov 6 Agree, SB, there’s no huge cause for concern; however, I think VH has played a massive part in achieving those stats! As long as we score more than we concede, then happy days!
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Karlosfandangal added 21:58 - Nov 6 Saxonblue74 Agree was expecting a top half finish this season and felt play off were a very good chance. However 4 games ago you had Birmingham in 5th place and Southampton about 15th and now they have swapped places….couple of bad results and this site becomes toxic and the crowd at games get on the players backs. But after the amazing start to the season fans now expect automatic promotion.

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mathiemagic added 22:26 - Nov 6 We will have a blip, its inevitable. Just hope it doesn't come on the 16th December !!. Back to the Brum game, all subs brought on 10 mins earlier then we would have won that one. A bit harsh to call it a manager mistake but with the team going nowhere at 60 mins then change it, don't wait until 70 mins. Onto Tuesday, I can see nothing other than a win, I would like to see Harness start with Ladapo.

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Saxonblue74 added 22:58 - Nov 6 Not sure I'm understanding you Karlos. There's very little between 3rd and mid table agreed, but you're suggesting a 10 point swing between us and Leeds during the next 8 games?
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Saxonblue74 added 22:59 - Nov 6 ....if we beat Rotherham of course
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churchmans added 22:59 - Nov 6 We are winning which is the main thing! Just seems we are fighting constantly recently and conceding goals! I'm a nervous wreck watching our beloved! Leeds and Leicester look superb! I just want to see us open up a can of whoopass on someone! But I will take a nerve wracking last minute goal and 1-0 for us LOL
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Karlosfandangal added 02:00 - Nov 7 Saxon Hoping not but a 3 game wobble and you are a Preston…. However if Town can keep doing what they are till Jan…. The transfer window will be very interesting as they will be looking at player to play Prem football and Town have a lot of players out of contract in June 2024. Ie Walton Morsy etc
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:15 - Nov 7 Really must'nt underestimate Rotherham another 3 vital pints to be had. If we can maintain our gap with Leeds till January [tall order] then further strengthen the squad with a couple of decent players, we really will be in with a good chance of promotion .COYB
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Sandman180 added 09:17 - Nov 7 Massive game this evening, 3 points here and another win on Saturday, and it's a minimum of a 10 point lead heading into the international break. Potentially more too, if Plymouth can grab something at Elland Road, although Leeds looked great vs Leicester last week, and Plymouth look pretty dire at the back.. would fancy them to score up there though. With 4th and 5th playing each other, and Preston heading to a tricky away game at Blackburn, points will be dropped within the chasing pack, and that's why it's so key to capitalise and build that little points buffer, before a tricky mid-late December. The old mantra of 'draw your aways, win your homes' certainly still rings true, which is why the Birmingham draw was satisfactory, especially given the circumstances; yet, although there's never a game that you 'should' be winning in the Championship, this has to be one fixture that falls fairly close to that criteria. I'd like to see the performance improve this eve, last few weeks have been a tough watch at points, results aside; think the forward line will be mixed up a little, Harness definitely pushing for a start, Scarlett too, after a great cameo on Saturday. Let's see.

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depressed added 09:35 - Nov 7 Ipswich may have a blip at some point but, the same can be said for the likes of Leicester, Leeds etc. We've come along way in 18 months don't lose sight of that. Me personally am loving the way things are going. COYBs.
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Europablue added 10:25 - Nov 7 There are definitely a few on here losing their nerve. It's was always going to be a long season with ups and downs. Leeds might have scared some people, but winning four and losing one of the last five is not exactly reeling us in when we won four and drew one. I agree there are signs of a wobble since the international break, but getting results while not at our best mostly through sheer force of will is very reassuring. Luckily KM and the squad are always entirely focused on the next match.

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itfckenty added 10:43 - Nov 7 personally, I think people are panicking. Leeds are a very good team, but at the moment they are still inconsistent, Plymouth will definitely cause them some bother up top. we just need to follow McK and go one game at a time and keep doing what we are doing. worst case at this moment in time, is play-offs and we are already punching above our weight. I'm just proud of this club and I genuinely believe in this team. COYB

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