HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s home game against the Millers by delving into their forums.

“What a week”, “The great escape is well and truly on”, “It’s going down to the wire”, “This division is like an accordion down at the bottom”, “It has been a tremendous week to be a Miller”, “In all the years I have been supporting the Millers I don’t think I have ever seen a week like it.”

“Can you believe a fightback like that? I have never witnessed owt like it”, “An amazing result out of nowhere, it felt like a win.” Rotherham arrive in Suffolk with self-belief soaring after rescuing a point from being three goals down with seven minutes to play against Derby last Saturday.

Saturday’s remarkable recovery against the fifth-placed Rams came on the back of wins over third-placed Middlesbrough and at sixth-placed local rivals Sheffield Wednesday. With 10 points gleaned from four games, the Millers are just one point from safety and optimism is coursing through their veins.

“It’s great seeing a Millers’ side scrapping for every ball again”, “I still can’t believe it, what a team of battlers. Who would have thought these are the same players?”, “We are a team who may not be especially talented compared to some but we will fight to the last breath regardless.”

“I’m still on cloud nine. The team spirit is unbelievable right now”, “Confidence must be sky high at the moment”, “I honestly can’t see us going down”, “Whether it happens or not, it won’t be without a rare old scrap and we can’t ask more than that”, “A truly magnificent job, Mr Warnock, keep it up.”

Neil Warnock

“Neil Warnock has absolutely nothing to prove. Keeping us in this division will endorse the fact that he is one of the best English managers of the modern era. We are totally privileged to have him as our manager”, “He does what it says on the tin. His man-management skills are legendary.”

The one-time Sheffield United boss took charge of the side on February 11th after Neil Redfearn was sacked and has been praised for the way he has galvanised the squad. “He always gets the players enjoying their football, fighting for the shirt, fighting to win and above all fighting for their club.”

“Redfearn told the press the players weren’t good enough. Warnock said ‘What a fantastic bunch of players I have. I love working with them and they have done everything I asked of them’. One question, who would you bust a gut for?”, “Warnock is getting them to run through brick walls.”

“I have told them not to worry about mistakes and to enjoy themselves. I love it. This is what I enjoy, tackles, crosses, ref’s decisions, shots, happy crowds.” Several Millers have referenced Warnock’s words (above) after their 2-1 win over Brentford kick-started their current four-game unbeaten run.

“Warnock is rightly taking the plaudits for turning things around at Rotherham over the last few weeks. He has [instilled] a spirit in the squad that is no doubt having a direct effect on results”, “We would have been dead in the water now without him”, “What he is achieving is fantastic.”

Formation

“Warnock is not all Churchillian team-talking and firing his players up. He pulled off a tactical master stroke at Hillsborough with his selection and tactics”, “Most might have raised an eyebrow when they saw Greg Halford line up in a holding role behind four men but it worked an absolute treat.”

“The one player sitting in front of the back four has been a revelation. The formation in itself just keeps on breaking down opposition attacks, hence Boro’s attempt to play it wide and trying to cross the ball in, which was dealt with efficiently by centre-halves Richard Wood and Kirk Broadfoot.”

Many Millers believe the starting XI (above) for their win at Hillsborough to be their strongest line-up. The 4-1-4-1 system they have used has steered them faithfully through their good run of results, stifling opponents and allowing them leeway to hit teams on the counter without losing their shape.

“Our game plan is to make life difficult for the other team”, “We look so organised and difficult to break down. Broadfoot and Wood are two old-fashioned head and kick everything centre-halves. The defending has been heroic, the work-rate and willingness to put bodies on the line awesome.”

Apart from moving Halford successfully into a pivotal holding role, Warnock has been praised for using striker Matt Derbyshire’s work-rate and energy out wide. The return to fitness of midfielder Lee Frecklington has added drive while boosting the contribution of partner Richard Smallwood.

Rotherham 3 - 3 Derby

“I have long forgotten what it is like to watch a team like that”, “Derby destroyed us at their place and were coasting at 3-0, but never underestimate Rotherham United”, “Even my heart said we would not get that, never mind my head”, “Yes, bring on Ipswich but please do it the easy way.”

With former Town loanee Frazer Richardson and Wood carrying injuries, Warnock had to reorganise his defence by bringing in Stephen Kelly at right-back and another ex-Blues loan man Danny Collins to partner Broadfoot in the centre.

Another player who has spent time on loan at Portman Road, Paul Green, replaced the suspended Halford in the holding role.

After a scoreless first half, the Rams took the lead when Tom Ince fired home after a poor Collins header on 55 minutes and Chris Martin added a second from close range 10 minutes later. Collins was then caught in possession directly from the kick-off, giving Ince the easiest of finishes.

“Three-nil down and it could be a cricket score, a footballing lesson in give-and-go by Derby”, “We need to keep the goals against down”, “Leon Best, why? Three down and a chance to give a younger striker a run. I don’t understand it.” With all hope apparently lost Warnock shuffled his pack (below).

“A consolation goal for Danny Ward”, “That might make the difference at the end of the season”, “Is this for real, it’s 2-3 and Derby are defending as we were”, “The comeback is on”, “Four minutes of mayhem”, “Best, yes! This team won’t lie down, come on”, “Never leave a Rotherham match early.”

“Well, now you know why Best came on.” After Danny Ward had pulled one back with a well-taken strike on 83 minutes, two back-post headers by Leon Best two minutes later and in stoppage time drew the hosts, now “an unstoppable force of nature”, level and led to scenes of pandemonium.

“Derby’s defence was coasting along until we brought Leon Best and Joe Newell on and the Rams failed miserably under pressure”, “We owe Derby’s manager a drink. We barely touched the ball until he changed things and went from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, then we scored three”, “It’s time to believe.”

Rotherham 1 - 0 Middlesbrough

“What a performance. We rode our luck at times but it’s about time we had some luck ourselves”, “We were pulled all over the place by a Middlesbrough side oozing class. We hardly threatened, hanging on for dear life until the half-time whistle”, “Come on lads, we’re giving ourselves a chance.”

“Bodies on the line”, “I need more nails.” Lee Frecklington arrived at the back post on 88 minutes to give the Millers an unlikely victory after David Nugent in particular missed a series of chances for the visitors. The only sour note was a second yellow card for Greg Halford in stoppage time.

“A great FA Cup-type performance against the best side I have seen here. Could they knock the ball about or what?”, “We bring on Danny Ward and they bring on Stewart Downing, worth the same as our team”, “Warnock’s tactical changes won us the game but they should have been out of sight.”

Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1 Rotherham

“It’s funny how as you get older the years go by in a flash but the last 70 minutes of a game can seem like a lifetime”, “Warnock’s tactics were spot on and the frustration showed on the faces of a few Owls at times”, “Well that was a payback result. I was gutted when they beat us at our place.”

Matt Derbyshire scored the winner for the visitors stealing in at the far post to poke home Lee Frecklington’s cross on 21 minutes. Of all the results in this current run, this local derby win for a team steered by a former Sheffield United manager has done most to raise morale and self-belief.

“Oh, to be a Miller”, “I was privileged to witness a great match that will go down in history”, “I still feel very proud of my club as always”, “I will never forget that feeling of extreme pleasure when the referee blew for time. Another great day to be a Miller, they don’t come that often.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Rotherham have settled on a solid back four that won’t concede every time they are attacked”, “Warnock has basically sorted out the defence. If you are on a low budget, you cannot afford prolific strikers. If you are not going to score, then you have got to make sure you don’t concede many.”

Lee Camp

“I do like Lee Camp. He has been excellent”, “He’s a juggernaut who has been in fantastic form”, “He’s a great shot-stopper and very vocal, just what we have needed at the right time”, “A great keeper, I have total confidence in him. He makes good saves and is a big player for us.”

The 31-year-old former Forest and Bournemouth keeper “is the best signing Steve Evans made”, “I have criticised him in the past but that was when Danny Collins was in front of him”, “What a joy it must be to play in front of him. His enthusiasm and professionalism make him one of our best keepers.”

“I’m glad we pulled the Derby result back for him.” Camp was praised for keeping the team in the game against the Rams. “A first-half game-saving performance”, “He doesn’t use all his area but is unreal around the danger area”, “Better at dealing with crosses and has a great all-round game.”

“Stephen Kelly didn’t have a bad game against Derby but we need a younger right-back for speed.” The 32-year-old former Reading man “struggled against a very potent Derby attack”, “He’s okay at defending but doesn’t get forward”, “He did well coming on against the Owls when under the cosh.”

Frazer Richardson picked up a hamstring injury against Boro and is very unlikely to feature on Saturday. The 33-year-old “played his part with some astute defending against the Owls and had flourished with a run of games”, “He has been playing his best football for us.”

“Joe Mattock is delivering a level of consistency that has made him a contender for Player of the Season.” The 25-year-old former Blade “is Mr Reliable for the Millers in the left-back role, solid at the back and a threat going forward”, “The best left-back we’ve had for as long as I can remember.”

“Mattock had a difficult afternoon against the Rams’ imperious Tom Ince”, “He looked after the dangerous Albert Adomah superbly against Middlesbrough”, “It was another steady performance”, “I really rate the guy. He can defend and get forward in equal measure and he is good on the break.”

Millers are less happy with former Forest centre-back Danny Collins who struggled against Derby. The 33-year-old “sadly is a defensive liability and it is time to pension him off. He’s a decent League Two player but nothing more”, “I have said time and again he should be nowhere near the squad.”

“Having spent most of the game lumping the ball out of play, Collins headed it straight to Tom Ince”, “The weakest link in the team by miles and should never play for us again”, “Warnock needs to take him to his farm in the West Country and set him free on Dartmoor. He was absolutely hopeless.”

“I hope Richard Wood will be fit for the Ipswich game so Collins can be dropped.” Fans are hoping the 30-year-old ex-Charlton defender will be available after missing the Rams clash with an inflamed hamstring. “A centre-half that loves to defend and his partnership with Broadfoot keeps improving.”

“Wood at last is getting a decent run. He’s solid, positionally good and gives his all every game”, “He accompanies Broadfoot in a no-nonsense defending style which Warnock loves”, “He has been solid in recent games, fitting in perfectly and is playing because of his willingness to stop al goal at all costs.”

Kirk Broadfoot

“Captain Kirk has really stepped up to the mark and really impressed”, “Broadfoot is a true warrior. He gets his head in and gives his all, you can’t ask for more”, “What a player he has turned out to be. He was magnificent against Derby and has been for a good part of the season”, “A revelation.”

The 31-year-old former Seasider “is the ultimate professional and a very good player”, “Steady as ever and a real leader of men, he put in a warrior-like performance against Boro”, “A Rambo-esque display and rallied the troops”, “Wins headers, makes blocks and produces interceptions, superb.”

Central Midfielders

“Paul Green had to be told several times by Warnock to get a tackle in against Derby. He can deliver some fabulous passes but he’s just a squad player and good as a substitute with five minutes to go”, “His best days are past but he gives his all. He is useful seeing out games and holding on to a result.”

“If you watch Green, he never gets close to his man.” The 32-year-old former Leeds and Doncaster man “is an excellent footballer and always has been but he struggles to protect the ball”, “Lots of sideways and backwards passing and too many touches”, “Sorry but he leaves a big hole in midfield.”

“Richard Smallwood is back to his best, probably helped by having Frecklington next to him.” The 25-year-old former Middlesbrough man “is an enforcer who wins the ball, battles hard and fights for everything”, “He does the dirty work, breaking up play and giving protection to the back four.”

“I have always been a fan of Smallwood. He got a bit of his old self back against Brentford although he not reaching the sharpness he had before. He has been missing Frecklington”, “He fought hard, got stuck in and provided some resistance to wave after wave of Derby attacks.”

Lee Frecklington

“It is no coincidence that we have been unbeaten since Frecklington returned after his groin injury. No other Miller can provide his box-to-box energy and willingness. The relentless stamina he has might be the most important thing we have back”, “We are a totally different side when he plays.”

The 30-year-old one-time Peterborough man “without doubt is a massive player for us”, “Lee gives us drive and determination in central midfield all game. He gets forward and is dangerous when he does”, “He is always there or thereabouts in every attack and then gets back, He earns every penny.”

“A fantastic and reliable player, he always comes up with important goals at the right time, the best player we have signed in years.” He was praised for his late strike against the Teessiders. “A classic goal we have seen many times. He gave the keeper no chance”, “Please let him stay injury-free.”

Greg Halford

“Who is this player operating in front of the back four and where has he been all season? Strong in the air and tackle, Halford fought for loose balls and broke up play well at Hillsborough.” The 31-year-old former Forest and Colchester player “is calm on the ball, breaking up play and winning aerial battles.”

“Halford has suddenly become a key player”, “He plays a Claude Makelele role, breaking up play, shielding the back four and providing an obstacle for opposition midfield runners”, “His reintegration continues apace”, “He is calm and composed and he always has that extra bit of time on the ball.”

“It sounds like Warnock has found a decent player in a cupboard somewhere in the club”, “The trials and tribulations that hounded Halford’s time seem a distant memory. He would still be training with the kids if Redfearn was in charge but he has been the biggest beneficiary of Warnock’s arrival.”

Wide Midfielders

“Grant Ward adds legs, pace and energy to the right wing.” The 21-year-old Spurs loan signing “has energy and the ability to beat players at pace”, “He is at his beat on the right where he has time and plenty of grass in front of him to run at defenders and get up the field to support Danny Ward.”

Ward has struggled when played centrally to accommodate Chris Burke, the loan signing from Forest who has not featured in the current winning run. “Grant doesn’t get the space which he needs in the middle and gets crowded out”, “He’s still in the habit of wanting too many touches of the ball.”

“Joe Newell should be in the team more.” The 22-year-old left-sided former Peterborough wide man “looked a lively threat when he came on against Derby”, “He contributed to our comeback adding a spark to our attack”, “He seemed to calm the nerves and work his magic in the middle and out wide”

“Jerome Thomas is brilliant and starts every week for me. If he was fully fit, he would be our best player.” The 32-year-old one-time Palace player and recent Town trialist “provided a threat that we have missed”, “He is a proper winger. He knows the position and keeps to the touchline thus stretching the defence.”

“Thomas tries to be lively on the ball but his lack of fitness showed against Middlesbrough”, “He was running on fumes for much of the game but provided a threat on the left wing that we have been missing for some time”, “Jerome is tricky and clever, he can be a real outlet and take a player on.”

Matt Derbyshire

“I have always stuck up for Derbyshire. You can see his intelligence in his play.” The 29-year-old former Blackburn and Forest striker “was instrumental in the win over the Owls”, “His work-rate is fantastic, playing on the left win at Hillsborough and ending up on the right against Middlesbrough.”

“Derbyshire should start most weeks. Yes, he’s weak at times and he misses sitters but he’s the most likely player to score a goal”, “He can be very frustrating but works hard, chases everything and gets goals. He stops teams from playing out from the back. He should be in the XI more often than not.”

“Asked to play a different role on the left against Wednesday, he wrote himself into club folklore by scoring the winning goal”, “Although playing in an unconventional wide role, his instinct to get into a goalscoring position has not faltered”, “His industry was invaluable covering back to help defend.”

Strikers

“Jonson Clarke-Harris single-handedly made our winning goal against a Middlesbrough team with the best defence in the league”, “He got the winning cross in using his physical strength to hold off a defender”, “He’s at his best using his strength to get past defenders and score or set goals up.”

“If Warnock can get consistency out of Clarke-Harris, he will have achieved more than our previous two managers.” The 21-year-old ex-Oldham striker “can be a really good player and a handful”, The ball passes him by before he reacts”, “He doesn’t read the game well and I’m not sure he ever will.”

Leon Best

“Best is a huge presence and he ruffles defenders. He will get better as his fitness improves.” The 29-year-old former Blackburn man has either started or featured from the bench in each of the Millers’ last four games. “His mere presence provides us with something we have been missing all season.”

“Leon could not have chosen a better time to break his duck for the club.” Having joined the Millers in November, he opened his account with two late goals against the Rams. “At last, a centre-forward who attacks the far post, thank you”, “A class act, keep scoring and you can be a legend here.”

“Best needs subbing.” He struggled when in the starting XI against the Teessiders and many see him as a bench option as he builds fitness after a hernia operation. “Asked to lead the line, he struggled against Boro’s back four and received no change”, “He does have the heart for this battle.”

Danny Ward

“Danny Ward had flattered to deceive for much of his time at Rotherham, showing rare glimpses of his talent. In the last few weeks and specifically under Warnock he has come to the fore and quickly become a key player”, “We have a good player who wins headers and provides link-up play.”

The 25-year-old one-time Terrier “showed how to lead the line at Hillsborough with an impressive display that was Alan Lee-like at times”, “I said he would come good for the Millers having watched the lad at Huddersfield. A lot of their fans couldn’t understand why they let him go.”

“How he gets up so high for a smallish player is great to see”, “He does win more headers than he should for his height”, “He works hard, is mobile and holds the ball up well”, “On the evidence of the last 10 minutes against Derby, he and Best can play together. This is an exciting prospect.”

Millers’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“The Tractor Man versus the Tractor Boys”, “Same plan as before, soak up the pressure and then pop a goal in from Danny Ward.” There has been little comment about Saturday’s game but there is a sense that Millers will arrive in Suffolk with some confidence in maintaining their unbeaten run.

Prediction threads have around one third of Millers forecasting a draw with slightly more predicting an away win. Very few clean sheets have been forecast for either defence with a 2-2 draw the most popular stalemate. The most popular Millers winning margin is by a 2-1 score line.

“I will take a point now if offered. Saying that I didn’t think Ipswich were that great at the New York Stadium which sounds ridiculous with them beating us 5-2. Anyone who saw it will understand. I thought we would struggle to get any points in March but we have surpassed that and how...”

I will update the forum on Saturday morning if there is sufficient additional material ahead of the game and will link this on my twitter feed.

Websites

The busiest Millers’ message board is Rotherham Mad. Some well-informed blogs and additional comment can also be found at
It’s Millers Time.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

12th_Man added 11:09 - Mar 18 I'm not feeling confident about tomorrow
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Bluebell added 11:41 - Mar 18 Thanks as always Harry. Great report. I was very confident with this game up until a couple of weeks ago. Now with Colin as manager and their last few results I am not so sure. Hopefully with our new singing Feeney and Pringle out to prove something to his old club we can get a win. Lee Camp is prone to errors too. I will going for a hard worked 1-0 but hope we can put 3 or 4 past them. We need more goals to help our goal difference.

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Kikapu added 11:42 - Mar 18 You're right, 12th Man, to be concerned. It'll be tough out there and the winner will be the first not to blink. I hope nobody (with any sense, that is) expects to see a fluid passing game out there, but I hope you will appreciate the blood and guts type of game it'll undoubtedly be. If you do, then stay home and watch a game on tv. If you appreciate a mans game get down there and support our 'men'.

5

bohslegend added 11:43 - Mar 18 Great work again Harry. Cheers.
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TR11BLU added 11:51 - Mar 18 Cheers Harry, I reckon this will be the most difficult of our remaining home games. Come on Town, a win here and we can go into the international break sitting comfy for a mammoth April. Lets go for it... COYB Boys
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jpring89 added 11:56 - Mar 18 I believe we will win this game. We are a different type of proposition to the teams rotherham have just played and got great results against. It wont be as comfortable as the away fixture was. You have to back the Town in a typically nervy odd goal 2-1 win.
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ericclacton added 12:07 - Mar 18 Lovely read Harry, Warnock what a character, like him or not. This is going to be difficult they are buzzing and full of confidence Smallwood Frecklington and Best stand out, our new winger will buck us up I hope, but I will still be wearing my brown corduroy outfit with my orange beret, just to be on the safe side, Instead of taking a walk on the wild side. Cheers mate.

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 12:11 - Mar 18 Great stuff Harry, thanks. There are no easy games, league position tells us how teams have played on average up until that point. This will be very tough, 10 points from 12 against table top teams. It will be a great one to win, however we get it. Doesn't Neil Warnock sound like MM?
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LankHenners added 13:56 - Mar 18 Thanks Harry, will certainly be a much tougher game than many are anticipating - they're last few results are nothing short of extraordinary. However, regardless of our apparent lack of form at the moment, this is the sort of game where we can grind them down into a physical scrap and then beat them with experience. At this point in the season it's results over performances anyway and we've shown plenty of times before when things aren't necessarily looking too bright we can pull results right out of the hat. Still very close to the playoffs and we'll need to get in a good position for that Sheff Wednesday game in April which could be make or break.

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gippeswyk added 16:58 - Mar 18 Thanks Harry, another great read. I'm hoping McGoldrick might be available and that he and Feeney could inject some spark into our side. Murphy looked confident and sharp on Tuesday and hopefully will continue his goal run. Sears is due a goal too. So fingers crossed we can go into the international break with back to back wins and a place in the top 6.
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Seasider added 18:15 - Mar 18 gippeswyk,think you will find that Didsy is down to play in under 21's,as over age player on Monday.
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gmanrom added 18:53 - Mar 18 That picture of Warnock lol.
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BlueKush added 19:01 - Mar 18 Matt Derbyshire's 29? Not that worried about Rotherham - they won 3 games in a row before they sacked Evans, sounds like Redfearn's had a stinker. I'm pretty confident Feeney'll hit the ground running and Murphy'll be sharper after his 2 goals. 3-1 to Ipswich.
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carsey added 19:05 - Mar 18 Not at all confident about this one with them being on such a high. Hopefully the fact Town are a more physical side than Boro Derby or Brentford will mean Rotherham have to work that bit harder and we can take advantage of any chances we create. I see Rotherham are level with Town on the form table for the last 6 matches separated by 2 goals and I will settle for 2 goals difference at the end of the game tomorrow

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