Rotherham United have an enforced break this weekend, when they should have been away at Portsmouth, so let’s have a quick look at how the nine new players, brought in during the summer, have settled in.
First in was Olayinka Fredrick Oladotun Ladapo – luckily for Millers fans he’s known as Freddie – who joined from Plymouth Argyle in what is said to be Rotherham’s record transfer fee and took over the number 10 shirt.
Freddie has played in all five games the Millers have been in this season, his first goal coming in the opening game away in the win at Wimbledon. He scored again in the four-nil win away at Shrewsbury in the Carabao Cup.
He’s big and strong and knows where the goal is and seems to have settled well into playing in a front three – and the fans have taken to him, which can only be a good thing.
After being told he was signing and seeing him around the stadium for a while Julien Lamy took the number twenty-six shirt at the beginning of July after impressing in a trial period.
The French winger was unknown when he joined the Millers and is still a bit like that after getting injured in the first pre-season game of the summer at Parkgate and still being in the treatment room.
Hot on Lamy’s tail came Swansea born midfielder Shaun MacDonald signing a two-year deal from Wigan Athletic.
Shaun has played in all five of Rotherham’s games so far three times coming off the bench but whether off the bench or on from the start nothing seems to faze the Millers’ number four and he’s another who the fans have a liking for.
Carlton Morris has the number fourteen shirt and is here on a one year loan from Norwich City, which is his second loan spell at the New York Stadium and came the same time as it was announced he had signed a new deal with the Canaries.
The twenty-three year old forward has twice come off the bench for Rotherham this season starting the EFL Trophy game at home against a Manchester United U21 side and starting the Carabao Cup game against Shrewsbury but after a collision after just six minutes he left the pitch with concussion and, as with any head injury, he couldn’t play in the away game at Burton.
Next in was Dan Barlaser who is on loan from Premier League side Newcastle United. The midfielder wears the number eleven shirt and has taken over the corner kicks.
So far this season Dan has started every league and cup game for the Millers and seems to always be involved – although there are a few fans who think he could do with some more passing help in training but, of course, he’s still only a young man at twenty-one and is here to learn.
Wearing the number twenty-two shirt this season we have Matthew Olosunde who joined in July after coming through the ranks with Manchester United.
Matt has played in every game so far this season and is a firm favourite already with the fans. His ability both on and off the ball has helped the Millers in their five games and despite suffering a little last Saturday he still carried on running.
I, personally, think this lad is going to be a great player for Rotherham and if he carries on in the same vein I think we’ll have a job keeping hold of him next season.
Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen arrived at the New York Stadium next on loan from Leicester City.
The Danish U21 international has played in the three league games we’ve had so far this season keeping a clean sheet last weekend at Burton and has already pulled off some fantastic saves to keep Rotherham in those three games.
After talking about him and meeting with him Paul Warne finally got his man when midfielder Jamie Lindsay joined from Scottish side Ross County on a three-year contract.
Jamie was given the number sixteen shirt making his debut against Manchester United’s U21 side in the EFL Trophy game at the New York Stadium. He came off the bench in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury and last Saturday away at Burton when I thought he looked quick and confident on the ball.
Last but not least the Millers brought in was Trevor Clarke from Shamrock Rovers who he played for in July in the Europa League against Brann.
After signing a three-year deal Trevor was given the number eighteen shirt and played in a behind closed doors friendly game against Newcastle United. Unfortunately the Ireland U21 international was injured just twenty minutes into that game having to be stretchered off wearing a leg brace. After fearing that this could be a long injury recovery time it is now hoped that the twenty-one year old will be back in the squad in a couple of months with Millers fans looking forward to seeing him in action.
For me I think we made some really good signings in the summer – with the Gaffer hoping to get a couple of wide men and another centre-half in before the window closes early next month.
