Town’s first ever visit to the New York Stadium ended in defeat as a goal in either half from Matt Derbyshire and ex-Blues loanee Conor Sammon saw Rotherham to a 2-0 victory. Derbyshire nodded home the opener in the 38th minute and Sammon added the second on 64, while Daryl Murphy, who failed to take two early opportunities for Town, saw a header cleared off the line and Luke Chambers had an effort well saved.

Murphy, back after missing the Wigan game with a calf strain, took over from Noel Hunt up front in an otherwise unchanged Town side.

Rotherham included three former Blues loanees, Sammon, Frazer Richardson and Paul Green.

Murphy had a golden chance to net his 19th goal of the season after only 18 seconds when he latched onto skipper Chambers’s ball down the right and outmuscled Millers’ captain Craig Morgan. The Irishman brought the ball into the area but scuffed his shot to keeper Adam Collin when he really should have scored.

On seven, Chambers scraped a weak effort wide with neither side having been able to create another clear-cut chance. The home side’s greatest threat so far had been a long throw from Kari Arnason on the left towards Sammon which the Blues defence repelled.

Murphy had another opportunity to add to his season’s haul in the ninth minute when Jay Tabb’s corner from the left landed at his feet having been missed by Christophe Berra, but the Town number 10 blazed over. The Blues striker, who complained that he had been dragged back as he unleashed his shot, again probably should have scored.

Cole Skuse picked up the game’s first booking for a foul on the breaking Paul Green in the 17th minute. From Ben Pringle’s freekick, Arnason’s downward header deflected through to Bartosz Bialkowski.

McGoldrick sent a weak shot through to Collin on 27, then a minute later Chambers exchanged passes with Bru but the Town captain’s shot was blocked.

Moments later, with the Blues briefly putting the Millers under pressure, Bru and Tabb interchanged on the left but the Mauritian international failed to find a team-mate with his low cross. The ball eventually ran out to Skuse, whose strike failed to trouble Collin.

Just after the half hour, after Town had cleared a corner, Richie Smallwood floated a ball into the area towards Derbyshire but just beyond the former England U21 international.

On 33 Tabb smashed a powerful volley wide after the ball had fallen perfectly for him on the left just outside the area.

Rotherham had been at their most threatening from set pieces throughout and in the 38th minute a freekick on the left saw them take the lead. Pringle sent the ball in, Conor Newton flicked it on, Morgan nodded it back across the area from the right and Derbyshire headed past Bialkowski from close range.

Town were unable create an opening from which they could get back on terms prior to the break.

On the balance of the half overall, the Blues probably didn’t deserve to be behind with the Millers’ goal having come from their first serious shot on goal of the afternoon.

Up to then Town, without ever really playing particularly well, had had the better of another not overly enthralling game’s opportunities with Murphy having had two very good chances to add to his 18 goals.

Newton lashed well wide six minutes after the break prior to a double Town change. Teddy Bishop and Freddie Sears took over from Anderson and Tabb with the Blues moving to 4-3-3.

Town went close to getting on terms in the 54th minute after Zeki Fryers had been booked for a foul on Bru on the right. Skuse sent the ball into the area, Chambers headed goalwards but Collin rose superbly to tip over. From the resultant short corner, Chambers nodded Mings’s cross well over.

On 58 Derbyshire was unable to divert Pringle’s cross from the left past Bialkowski but in the main it was Town on the front foot with the substitutions having made a difference.

A minute later, Mings’s long distance shot landed at Sears’s feet five yards outside the area and the former Colchester man hit shot on the turn which Collin uncomfortably bundled behind down to his left. Sears took the flagkick himself and found Murphy, whose powerful goal-bound header was nodded off the line by Fryers.

The Blues continued to push, Chambers doing well on the right of the box but twice his crosses were cut out, the second falling to Bishop, whose shot was also blocked.

But despite Town having been on top since the break, the Millers increased their lead in the 64th minute, again from a set piece. Pringle whipped over a corner from the left and, as Berra and Arnason tangled, the ball was knocked down to Sammon, who gleefully slammed home his second Millers goal against his former loan club.

The Blues had a chance to pull goal back in the 69th minute when Arnason missed Chambers’s low cross from the right and the ball fell to Murphy. The Irishman turned a shot goalwards but it struck Morgan at point-blank and the ball ran harmlessly to Collin.

Another former Town loanee Green volleyed Pringle’s deep left-wing cross against Skuse on 74 before the Blues replaced McGoldrick with Noel Hunt and the Millers Sammon with Danny Ward.

Sears saw a shot blocked after exchanging passes with Hunt on 84, then at the other end Ward scuffed wide. Moments later, Derbyshire was replaced by Jordan Bowery.

Town never looked like getting back into it in the closing minutes and the Millers might have increased their lead in injury time when Bowery was sent away one-on-one with Bialkowski but the Polish keeper blocked and the ball bounced over the bar.

The Blues were left rueing failing to take their chances, while Rotherham made the most of their opportunities. Derbyshire’s goal was the Millers’ first significant shot on goal, while Sammon’s second came just as Town were starting to put the South Yorskshiremen under pressure.

Overall, there wasn’t a lot in a typical Championship battle, while manager Mick McCarthy is likely to be less than pleased to see his side concede twice from set pieces.

The Blues drop to fifth in the table, now six points off the top, having taken just four points from their last 15 since the turn of the year.

Rotherham: Collin, Richardson, Arnason, Morgan (c), Fryers, Newton, Green, Smallwood, Pringle, Sammon (Ward 75), Derbyshire (Bowery 85). Unused: Thompson, Broadfoot, Milsom, Ward, Hammill, Frecklington.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bru, Anderson (Sears 52), Tabb (Bishop 52), Murphy, McGoldrick (N Hunt 75). Unused: Kenny, Parr, Clarke, S Hunt. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey). Att: 10,336 (Town: 1,879).

Photo: Action Images

dukey44 added 17:39 - Feb 7 I back town through thick and lots of thin so why arent i allowed to moan when we go through a bad patch yet the manager keeps his fav players in? Then comes out will stupid comments sorry but i thought we had our own views and thats why we leave comments?
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GeorgeITFC24 added 17:41 - Feb 7 Terrible result. The team needs shaking up v Sheffield wednesday Bialkowski Parr Chambers Berra Mings Bishop Bru Skuse Stewart Murphy Sears
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Scribble added 17:42 - Feb 7 Anderson and Tabb have been very poor recently, once again they start and are poor, and get taken off just after half time, bishop and Sears come on and look dangerous, who would of predicted that? I really like MM but recent interviews and tactics have been quite strange, like a post anice pointed out he seems to go in to pre match interviews saying how good the opposition are and how tough it will be, I know the championship is a tough league but it really is setting the team up to fail before they've even kicked a ball. He is so stubborn with his selections, it's quite clear we are struggling in wide areas and we have players like Stewart etc who aren't getting a look in

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GiveusaWave added 17:43 - Feb 7 Yes, a poor result. But it doesn't take a genius to work out why. We needed to invest in this transfer window (like every other team did) but we didn't. We are far too one-dimensional (too much hoofball) and far too reliant on Chambers (in supplying the hoofballs) and Murphy (in getting on the end of them). Yes, we had a few passing moments today (mainly from Bru and Skuse): and I actually thought this was one of Skuses best games for us. bialkowski played well too (2 really good saves plus overall a good game). this isn't just a poor blip in form anymore. Our whole season is now in trouble. if we don't go up we will also lose Mings, Bishop and MCgoldrick at the end of the season. This isn't doom-mongering. We are devoid of ideas and our hoofball is too predictable.

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Seasider added 17:43 - Feb 7 No comment about todays game I see Roly,wonder why
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siralfsirbob added 17:47 - Feb 7 I have to agree with others about a need in formation. I also think we need to be realistic in what we have achieved so far, we have had a fantastic season considering our resources, so lets see what Mick and Terry do in the loan market before we criticise the wonderful job they have been doing under very restricted resources. For what it is worth, maybe a change to a 3-5-2 formation, with this sort of line up - Bia

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pablo123 added 17:48 - Feb 7 Absolute crap AGAIN !!! Evans out
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:48 - Feb 7 GUTTED ! honestly believed today would see us back to winning ways.There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth now im sure,but the fact still remains,Town havnt a pot to piss in ,its not M Ms fault we didnt sign anyone,had he been given an open cheque book im sure he would have been as keen as anyone to go shopping for players.Like everyone else im very disapointed with the poor form recently,but we are still in touch,lets be thankful we are not in a relegation struggle,and keep our heads up .COYB

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Hegansheroes added 17:51 - Feb 7 In Mick we trust ho ho ho ho. Never did & never will.
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thebeat added 17:51 - Feb 7 Roly we might be in the top 6 but it wont be for long. I said it yesterday it doesnt matter how good a job Mick has done, all that matters is the here and now and since we survived a 2nd half barrage at Southampton (which was to be expected against a 3rd placed Prem team on their own ground) Mick has gone back to being a coward. The reason we got into the top 2 was because we went at teams in an attacking manner and formation with positive team selections. Its not rocket science that since that Saints game and since The Cowardly Lion came back out to play our results and performances have been pants. He knows where its going wrong but he wont admit he's wrong and he wont drop his favourites. ITS NOT WORKING MICK!! SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND GO BACK TO WHAT WAS!!

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BrettenhamBlue added 17:54 - Feb 7 What's the betting MM will now give a big speech about how great Sheffield Wednesday are? Our long ball tactics no longer work, teams are very ready for it. iMHO we are punching above our weight, just pleased we are not fighting against relegation. With performances like that we would go down. Tabb and Anderson do not deserve to start next game. Why are we even bothering with 'wingers'?'

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rolly added 17:56 - Feb 7 siralfsirbob - spot on!
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therein61 added 17:56 - Feb 7 If the championship is bonkers Mick then what about your team selection!!!!!!!
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Seasider added 18:02 - Feb 7 Spot on Scribble. Notice in post match interview MM seemed bit more subdued than usual;but still bigged up Rotherham,and seemed more concerned about losing two goals than scoring although think he mentioned Murphs miss early doors! The wheels seem to be coming off big time. Not strengthening in window was big mistake,although this down to ME as Mick actually said this the other day citing his adherence to FFP. EADT said following this Manager gave team a pep talk telling them how good they were and need not strengthen.Disagree. Must do something when Loan Window reopens next week,and please give players who you have left out in the cold Mick a chance and I don't mean Paul Taylor. It is a risk but fiddling whilst Rome burns could see our outside chance of automatic promotion or even the play offs go up in smoke.

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Geoff added 18:03 - Feb 7 Well goodbye to the playoffs,Mick to blame keeps picking the off form players why play Chambers at right back when you have Parr must play Bishop and Sears from the start, drop Mcgoldrick also bring in Ambrose to help the strikers.No investment on deadline day others bought to strengthen their squads.Might be time to look for another manager to take us forward but no good if owner will not give any money fans deserve better and have more passion for this great club need to bring in two loans on Monday or we will finish in mid table,have not felt so down since the budgie game.

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skhall added 18:05 - Feb 7 This is no longer just a poor run of form. Since the Charlton away game we have not produced a single good performance. Yes the team has a great spirit within the camp but results do the talking and the scum are now only a few points off us and, unless we're very lucky, they will be ahead of us very soon! Loan signings are no good as we have relied on those before and fallen foul of the system. I was confident of promotion earlier in the season but now can only see a midtable finish. Nathan Ake, if available, from Chelsea to strengthen our laughable defence, a creative midfielder to allow McGoldrick to focus on scoring and a striker to make sure that McGoldrick actually has some pressure on him to perform. Recent form has been an utter disgrace to the club!

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Cheddar1610 added 18:07 - Feb 7 We need to revert back to 4-3-3 Why the fucck is Bishop not starting? Bart Parr Chambers Berra Mings Bishop Skuse Bru Sears Murphy Didz
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brittaniaman added 18:08 - Feb 7 If the players are tired now as MM has just said what the Hell is going to happen next week when they play Tues . and Sat. and the following week Tues Sat again ?? followed by the local Norwich game !! Even they scored 4 today Unfortunately our Rivals round us beat all the lower teams convincingly, that we could not beat with MM saying that those bottom teams are good teams !!! We now need 7pts. to take a top two place ???? If we had a bigger squad MM would be Reluctant to rotate it !!!

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battyblue added 18:09 - Feb 7 Anyone who thinks Mick will change his ways are mistaken he will still think he is right and everyone else is wrong ,we have played the best when injures have enforced a change like when Parr came in against Middlesbourgh etc but soon as players are fit again they are straight back in Parr has always done well but still in Micks eyes he is not good enough to start,,Sears is a good signing he is quick plays on the floor with good ball control and is a good finisher he should start every game, Mcgoldrick is firing blanks is lazy or not fit and greedy with the ball i don't care what he has done in the past he isn't doing it now so drop him if he wants his place make him fight for it,Ambrose should also get some game time did well against Southampton but not in Micks eyes unfortunatey hoping for some changes now but i wont hold my breath knowing MM.

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yorksblue added 18:10 - Feb 7 So the players are tired eh....... Not half as much as I am, watching dross, Sunday league tactics every week. My only saving grace is I only had to travel 7 miles today. Safe journey home to the rest of you.
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NoelTheDub added 18:12 - Feb 7 bohslegend Come out from under your bed with your happy pills.Im waiting for the no money and small squad plus we are still in the playoffs excuses thats BULL.There is clearly something wrong we all know what it is bar your followers.Hoofball,Tabb,Anderson,Luke at RB every bloody week this is not a blip its a canyon getting bigger.As for Salmon if we had someone on the wing to cross a bloody ball in to him he might have been a help to us.Green is a half decent centre mid and never played for us in his proper position.Mick is a stubborn man and it killing us Sears Anderson Bishop Parr are rotting at our club because of that.I look forward to my usual minuses for speaking out and not hiding the cracks that people cant see ....

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bellazzurri79 added 18:13 - Feb 7 Connor f****** Sammon!!!!!!
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blueherts added 18:16 - Feb 7 I have been a supporter of MM and , based on the season up to Dec BUT - I did say I did not want to see Anderson and Tabb in the line up Anderson has been subbed last few games and been poor yet we still play him I am now more concerned that our defence seems at disarray with any balls launched in Biishop is one of the most talented players we have produced in years and yet he doesnt start ?! I dont care about Scum or the others - I just want to focus on us getting points out of Tuesday cos our confidence seems shot Need a win - but he MUST start with Bish , Parr and Sears and have Ambrose on the bench All the great work that was done till end of Dec is rapidly disappearing Tired ?!!! come on we have more time off than most No excuses - just accept we have been abject and now time to start working hard on the pitch

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Jimmy86 added 18:17 - Feb 7 We need to get back to winning ways quickly otherwise we are in real danger of dropping out of the top 6 all together. We still have time to address this slump, but since the home losses to derby and Southampton we have really gone off the rails a little bit. We have lost that belief and confidence we had in abundance since the turn of the year and we have reverted to our rigid 4 4 2 instead of the fluid and interchanging 4 3 3. Mick has done a great job but we perhaps were a mid table team punching above our weight. With games coming thick and fast we have the opportunity to put things right relatively quickly, but we need to keep our play off hopes Alive. Poor start to the new year.

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BecclesBlue500 added 18:18 - Feb 7 Think it might have already been said, but if ME won't gamble £3-4m when we're in the top two (which we were at the start of the window) what would he invest if - and it's becoming a bigger if each week - we get to the Prem?? If he doesn't invest then, quite frankly I don't want to watch. Jay Tabb commanding the midfield in the Prem? Freddie Sears troubling premiership defences?? Tommy Smith 'Marshalling' Prem Strikers?? They'll be showing our highlights on the Horror Movie Channel.... He's simply never going to put enough money into the club to make us a success.

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