Michael Smith netted a 90th minute winner as Paul Hurst’s Blues were beaten 1-0 by his old club Rotherham United at the New York Stadium. Town had been on top for most of game and were denied two very strong penalty claims before the Millers’ striker hooked home following a corner.

Toto Nsiala and Jon Nolan were handed their Blues debuts from the start with this week’s other new signing Kayden Jackson on the bench.

Nsiala, who joined from Shrewsbury in a joint-£2 million deal along with Nolan on Wednesday, was at centre-half with skipper Luke Chambers, while Janoi Donacien and Jonas Knudsen were the full-backs.

In midfield, Cole Skuse and Trevoh Chalobah filled the deeper roles with former Millers loanee Grant Ward back from suspension and on the left of the trio ahead of them instead of Freddie Sears, who dropped to the bench.

Gwion Edwards was on the right with Nolan in the centre and Ellis Harrison continuing as the lone striker. Rotherham included ex-Town keeper Lewis Price on their bench.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Barry Chuckle, a Rotherham life president, and former club chairman Syd Wood, who both died this week.

Town threatened first in the second minute from a quickly taken Donacien throw on the right. The St Lucian found Edwards, who crossed low but Zak Vyner nipped in ahead of Harrison and the ball was subsequently turned behind for a corner. From the flag-kick, Nsiala volleyed well wide.

The Blues quickly went on the offensive again, Harrison escaping down the right and crossing for Nolan, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected behind for a second corner.

Town continued to dominate the early stages and in the 10th minute Chalobah found Edwards with a superb crossfield pass. The Welshman took the ball into the area but lost his footing as he sought to turn his man, preventing what might have been a terrific goal.

The Blues should have gone in front in the 20th minute when an Nsiala freekick from inside his own half found Harrison, who held off his man and tried to take the ball round Millers’ keeper Marek Rodak, who thwarted the Welshman with an outstretched hand.

Town had dominated possession and controlled the game with all the chances at the Rotherham end. The only occasional moments of concern for the Blues were largely self-inflicted but with Bartosz Bialkowski still untested.

In the 23rd minute Nolan felt he should have been awarded a penalty when he cut in from the left and appeared to be brought down by one-time Town trialist Semi Ajayi. But referee David Webb, who had failed to give one or two earlier clear freekicks much the annoyance of both sets of fans, wasn’t interested. The Blues new number 11 looked to have a very decent case.

A minute later, from a deep corner from the right, Edwards smashed an overhead kick against a defender.

Town kept pressing and as the half hour approached Donacien hit a powerful strike from the edge of the box which Ajayi diverted over the bar.

Rotherham began to see more of the ball as the half moved into its final 10 minutes but still without creating an opportunity.

On 38 Knudsen sold Chambers short with a pass allowing Kyle Vassell to send away Jon Taylor down the right but Nsiala got across to dispossess the Millers’ midfielder and cleared.

Three minutes later, Edwards dispossessed the hesitant Joe Mattock on the right but played his pass to Harrison too far in front of the striker. A minute later, Matt Palmer was fouled for tripping Ward as he burst into the home side’s half.

In the 44th minute, after good work from Nolan, Chalobah cleverly threaded in Knudsen on the left of the box but keeper Rodak did well to save the Danish international’s save down to his left.

Rotherham managed their first shot on target in the final scheduled minute of the half but Taylor’s deflected strike following Vyner’s long thrown bounced harmlessly through to Bialkowski.

There was just time for one more Town corner, which Rodak claimed, before an entertaining half was brought to an end.

The Blues had had much the better of it, dominating possession, and really ought to have gone in ahead having created virtually all the chances.

Harrison’s one-on-one was the best opportunity, while it also took an impressive save from Rodak to stop Knudsen’s late effort. Nolan’s penalty claim also looked very credible.

At the other end, occasional moments of Town indecision had largely led to the few occasions on which the Millers had threatened, but Bialkowski hadn’t been forced into a serious save.

Manager Hurst, who spent virtually all his entire playing career with the Millers, will have been happy with the display aside from the lack of a goal.

Early in the half, Skuse made a rare foray into the penalty area - although the Bristolian is afforded far more freedom to get forward under Hurst - and looped a header wide after Harrison had nodded across the box to him.

At the other end, Vassell found himself space on the left of the box and hit a low shot which Bialkowski did well to claim down to his left.

Soon after, Chambers misjudged a ball over the top - with the breeze perhaps a factor - and Smith was able to hit a shot which fortunately flew into the side-netting.

Town chances had become rarer but on 57 Nolan found some space on the edge of the box but scuffed his shot well wide.

Skuse saw a strike blocked, then in the 62nd minute Nolan hit a powerful effort from distance which flew not too far wide right in front of the travelling Town support.

The Blues began to put the Millers under pressure, winning a succession of corners but without being able to create a significant chance.

On 67 Jackson was handed his debut for Harrison, who had battled gamely with the very impressive Ajayi all game. Rotherham, who had already swapped Joe Newell for Ryan Williams, switched Taylor for Anthony Forde.

There was a worrying moment for the Blues on 71 when Bialkowski was unable to get to Will Vaulks’s freekick as he looked to punch and it was deflected wide to Vassell, who hit a goalbound shot into ground which Nsiala headed off the line.

At the other end, a Nolan strike was blocked, then Jackson played the loose ball wide but was fouled by Vaulks, who was booked.

Edwards took the freekick and curled the ball perfectly towards the top corner only for Rodak to get across to paw it away.

Soon after, as the clock moved past 73, there was a further tribute to Barry Chuckle with opposition fans exchanging the famous 'To me, to you' catchphrase before a further round of applause.

On 75 Nolan sent Jackson away on the right - although with a hint of offside - but Millers’ skipper Richard Wood got across to slide the ball behind. Two minutes later, Tayo Edun took over from Ward.

In the 80th minute Jackson hit a snap-shot on the turn which was too close to Rodak, then Jordan Roberts was handed his Blues debut for Edwards, who had out in another lively display.

With five minutes of scheduled time remaining the Blues were denied their second penalty claim of the afternoon, this one even stronger than the first.

Chalobah played a great ball into the path of Roberts as he broke into the area and the sub was felled by Mattock. It looked as clear a spot-kick as you’ll see but both referee Webb and his linesman - to whom Roberts made his frustration clear - remained unmoved.

A minute later, Smith shot not too far wide for the home side, then Forde hit a effort which forced Bialkowski to save down to his left and gather at the second attempt.

And in the final scheduled minute the Millers went in front. Mattock sent over a freekick from the left, the Blues were unable to clear and the ball fell to Smith, who hooked into the top corner of the net.

Town pressed for an equaliser in four minutes of injury time - Chambers headed a corner straight at Rodak - but manager Hurst’s return to his old club ended in his first defeat as Blues boss.

The result was harsh on Town who had been the better side for most of the match and had had opportunities to take the lead, particularly in the first half, although given their dominance they will feel they ought to have created more.

Their best opportunity after the break was Edwards’s freekick which was well-saved by Rodak.

They also appeared to be denied two very good penalty claims, the second when Roberts was fouled late on looked as nailed-on as they come.

Rotherham looked more dangerous in the second half than they had in the first but still without ever really looking like they were going to claim all three points until Smith’s late goal.

Town are next in action on Tuesday when they face Exeter City in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park.

Town: Bialkowski, Donacien, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Chalobah, Edwards (Roberts 82), Nolan, Ward (Edun 77), Harrison (Jackson 67). Unused: Gerken, Spence, Sears, Kenlock.

Rotherham: Rodak, Vyner, Mattock, Vaulks, Ajayi, Wood (c), Palmer, Taylor (Forde 67), Vassell (Jones 90), Newell (Williams 62), Smith. Unused: Price, Ball, Wiles, Raggett. Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Att: 9,460 (Town: 1,345).

Photo: Photo: Pagepix

aeckworth added 20:25 - Aug 11 not good enough. simple.
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Blueactually75 added 20:28 - Aug 11 I meant to say David Nugent. Lets go get him for a year. Bit of experience up front to help the new boys settle. He always scores at Portman Road so he may as well do It on a Town shirt.
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runningout added 20:30 - Aug 11 We have an uncanny knack of playing like a bunch of wet lettuces, to say the least
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Skip73 added 20:31 - Aug 11 Who is going to score the goals? I know its early days but the 2 strikers sounded way short of the quality needed, even if our play and some of the other players deserved more.
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midastouch added 20:31 - Aug 11 Ipswich cut down to just 15/8 for the drop with Paddy Poop and Betunfair: https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/relegation Rotherham, Bolton and Reading are also down the sharp end too, with QPR just behind. They don't always get it right so let's hope the weight of money is wrong on this one, at least for us, as I woudn't lose any sleep if the Hoops, Bolton, Rotherham or Reading went through the trap door, rather them than us!

0

cornishblu added 20:33 - Aug 11 Whether they need gelling or not it's diff ult to take no home grown starter ....early optimism of a Downes, Nydam, Dozzell centre exciting home fans into believing this will be different has had a hard reality check today. PH this lot better deliver , IMHO you made your first mistake today by taking away that belief ......just remember ...history tells us that you won't get much more from ME,s purse now you have spent on this little lot ......don't kill the dreams of our local lads ......see you all at Exeter .......and let's hope you keep your word by taking the cup seriously .....please don't make two fundamental mistakes in one weekend ...we had started to believe COYB

3

Lightningboy added 20:42 - Aug 11 If you're serious about building a team that's going to (hopefully) challenge for promotion you don't sell your best players (to promotion rivals) for next to nothing (by today's prices). Selling fan's favourites and then talking of loaning out even more fan's favourites is not going to go down very well if these results don't pick up..patience may wear thin pretty quickly by the sounds of things..always feels like we take 2 steps forward & 3 back. For me this week's penny pinching has put a huge downer on what was looking like a positive couple of months..fairly happy with most of the new signings (though a couple seemed needless) but we're looking incredibly lightweight & inexperienced upfront..saying that,anyone know why Morris was left out after that decent cameo last week?

6

Talbs77 added 20:48 - Aug 11 Didn't go to game but heard on radio and sounds like we were unlucky today. We sound like we didn't create much and Harrison sounded a bit isolated not sure whether Hurst will think about changing to 442 now he has Jackson? We need time but this is a unforgiving league and we need to pick that first win up fast. League cup game takes on new dimension now with a tough run of league games coming up. Need that win but we need to believe, most of us wanted change and now we have to support the guys.

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ITFCsince73 added 20:54 - Aug 11 We sold a one season wonder for good money. A player who didn't want to be with us anymore. We sold Garner who spent more time on his arse than on his feet. Again, didn't want to be with us anymore. We let go McG who spent more time on the treatment table, than on the pitch. Using those 3 as a reason, for a possible poor season ahead is a joke in itself.
12

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 20:55 - Aug 11 Oh dear. I didn't see the game so can't make much comment but with the games ahead would have expected at least 4 points on the board after these 2 games. Hey Ho onwards we go.
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MVBlue added 20:59 - Aug 11 Time to get a clinical top end striker in on loan.
2

Elizabeth added 21:36 - Aug 11 Well, here we are again voicing our opinions on what should have been an easy three points for us !It was always going to be a game where these players either stepped up to the challenge or not ! Lots of hard work and belief required, not sure if PH is the character to do this , I really hope in this instance I am proved wrong !! Early days but concerned !
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 21:57 - Aug 11 Unbelievable - 2 games in and doom and gloom. Get a grip. 90th min winner. New team, manager, formation...etc In Hurst I trust
5

herfie added 21:58 - Aug 11 Setting up with a single striker needs reviewing - both this and the Blackburn game demonstrated that it hasn't really worked. Need to get our midfield closer to support/overlap in the opposition's box. Having watched Derby v Leeds earlier this evening, it's pretty clear that PH faces a real challenge in the weeks and months ahead. Not intended to be negative or pessimistic; but winning football matches in a brutal, uncompromising, league, whilst trying to build a team from a root and branch reboot - albeit much needed- is inevitably going to result in days like today. Time, patience and belief the order of the day. COYB!

4

pauljones added 22:14 - Aug 11 I've been following TWTD for a couple of season now but this is my first comment, I'd like to see everyone stick with the team watch them gel before jumping with these ridiculous statements! We were never going for promotion this season let's build a team for next season and enjoy the football that we are now being given that is attractive!
9

cat added 22:53 - Aug 11 OMG, FFS, two games gone, 1 point achieved and it's fecking meltdown on here. (Lol)
5

soclopath added 23:03 - Aug 11 This is what you get when you buy a bunch of May-be's.Two decent loans the rest????
1

truckerblue added 23:04 - Aug 11 Could we please keep donacien as a loan player so we have the option to send him back? Think one or two are out of there depth bit convinced after two games about him.
0

shakytown added 23:06 - Aug 11 We really need some quality from the loan market. A ball playing midfielder is desperately needed as the last pass today was awful and the corners defy belief.
1

warkway added 23:27 - Aug 11 we should as usual judge it after 10 games not two, altho they are quite a set of games - Villa (went well last year), scum and Brentford at home but possibly some easier ones away, including the Derby banker. The team can only be seen as a work in progress. anyone who thinks we are as good as Boro, Derby, Brentford, Bristol, Millwall, Leeds, PNE, Forest and Sheff U or the relegated clubs are being either very optimistic or weren't watching last season. They were all much better than us and we have not necessarily improved. I worry that the loss of so many strikers will really hurt us. we struggled last year to score and we have sold some solid Championship players and bought in players who are untried at this level. This can only be a season of survival and growth. I think ME will give PH space and time, and we need to do the same.

1

Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:11 - Aug 12 The expected response after today's score. Bizarre, but in no way surprising. Way I see it, got screwed at the end despite having the majority of play and opportunity, it won't be the first instance, sure as hell won't be the last. Some people insist it's essential we bring in some attackers of merit, one or two forward players that are reliable and won't dispute. I think if you had said we'd be facing off with opposition the caliber of Blackburn and Rotherham first two games and take one point from it, I'd be gravely disappointed. Bottom line despite the new additions and manager, you wonder how much impact we're really going to make in the months ahead. Some go as far to mention it'll be another tough season. You can add extra emphasis on the "another" bit. But, as others have mentioned, it's hardly a catastrophe. Very early stage of the season, all to play for, but we can do without learning of games of this nature once again today.

0

Dog added 02:17 - Aug 12 We have played 2 league 1 sides from last year and got a solitary point. Is that a surprise??. We had a slightly over achieving squad playing dire football and replaced it with league 1 and 2 footballers playing ineffective football. There is just no way we will compete with many teams with the quality of our squad. To make matters worse, PH is considering loaning Dozzell , Nydam and Downes. I said earlier we would find out if he is a tactical genius or an eejit. Well, it is the latter. End of. Another stubborn yorkshireman who thought any player that had played for grimsby would be good enough for this league. Well they are not. PH has just signed HIS proper blokes/ rag tags from previous clubs. As for ME. This bloke is killing our club. He has overseen the sale of the best players (regardless of whether they want to be here) and replaced with lower league players who all had JUST one good season. In doing that he has made 5 million profit. The majority all think he should be lauded for backing PH yet in reality he has asset stripped our club yet again. The man is as bad as the Oystons (who incidentally were convicted of this in a court case). If PH loans 2 players in from lower league then heaven help us. We won't get above 35 points. The only positive so far this season is that MM is not around.

4

GiveusaWave added 06:22 - Aug 12 As a supporter base we all need to stay behind the team and trust in Hurst in what will now be a difficult period of time. It may only be 2 games in...but if MM had only achieved 1 point from those two "easy" fixtures quite a few questions would be asked. Hope we achieve an unexpected 9 points in the next 3 games...lifting us to a respectable top half position in the table. Aston Villa, Derby County (away), Sheffield Wednesday (away) not the easiest of tasks....but possible. Do need to bring in a clinical striker and a target man in on-loan...we look awfully weak up front at the moment...no cutting edge at all... And to those saying "Donacien isn't good enough". Yes...he's had a poor start but we are only two games in...give him a chance...takes a while to gel with team mates and the pace of the championship.

1

Kirbmeister added 06:52 - Aug 12 Are there a more negative wingey set of supporters anywhere else in the country? 2 games is all Hurst has had but already he's not being cut any slack at all. One more bad result and he'll have to be off I guess. Get real folks it's going to take a few weeks - with 7 new players in any side it will take time to adjust. Everyone was assuming yesterday would be easy, a must win game already. Unbelievable.

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KiwiBlue2 added 06:53 - Aug 12 While a disappointing result I anticipate there will be games where we get outplayed and snatch a winner like Rotherham did today. In the great scheme of things I will not be making a judgement until we are 12-15 games in......
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