Rotherham United 0 Charlton Athletic 1
Dobson 55
A lacklustre Rotherham United fell to a home defeat yesterday leaving them three points behind the top two.
The visitors started as they meant to go on with Corey Blackett-Taylor having the first chance which was easily saved by Viktor Johansson in the Millers goal. Some nice work from Michael Smith saw him send Wes Harding down the pitch who in turn put a ball on Michael Ihiekwe’s head but he couldn’t keep the ball down. The next minute saw Dan Barlaser and Smith work well together with the Millers top scorer winning a corner which came to nothing. A cross from Ben Wiles to Chieo Ogbene saw the Republic of Ireland International end up on the floor courtesy of Blackett-Taylor the resulting Shane Ferguson free-kick ending with an off-side flag. Ben Wiles tried a shot from outside the box after a free-kick came back to him that went over the crossbar while the other end saw Albie Morgan tried his luck from distance which was blocked by a Millers defender. On twenty-five minutes a cross from Barlaser found Ogbene who saw his header whistle past the upright before Connor Washington caught the Millers on the break getting the better of Ollie Rathbone found himself one-on-one with Johansson only for Rathbone to recover and make a fine tackle to stop him getting a shot away. After winning a free-kick Johnasson tried to get the ball out to Smith but some good work from Akin Famewo saw the ball go out for a corner which was sent in by Ferguson before coming out again to Wiles who again put the ball over. Rathbone did well to get the better of Famewo with the Norwich loanee seeing the first yellow of the game after hacking the Millers man down. The free-kick came to nothing with Ihiekwe caught offside.
The opening minute of the second half saw a corner for the hosts which was sent straight into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Craig MacGilliray, which, frankly, was going to be the order of the rest of the match. Akin Famewo got the better of his marker sending the ball to Jayden Stockley who was flagged offside before a Shane Ferguson cross found the head of Michael Smith who put the ball wide. A low cross from Corey Blackett-Taylor found Connor Washington in acres of space but he saw his header well saved by Viktor Johansson with the ball falling to Blackett-Taylor who put it across the face of goal with nobody there to tap it home. The Millers looked weary a minute later when Albie Morgan was left to roam free getting the ball to George Dobson who gave Johansson no chance as he shot into the bottom corner to give Charlton the lead. You’d like to think that it was all hands to the pump after that from the Millers but frankly it wasn’t and when Blackett-Taylor got himself into a good position it was only poor finishing from him that saw the game still one-nil. Two changes for Rotherham saw Jamie Lindsay and Mickel Miller on for Ollie Rathbone and Shane Ferguson. A Dan Barlaser free-kick found the head of Richard Wood but it was an easy save for MacGilliray before a feeble ball in from Freddie Ladapo was easily blocked. Another corner aimed at Smith eventually found to Miller but his shot cleared the crossbar which was followed by another change for the hosts with Dan Barlaser making way for Jordi Osei-Tutu. The young Arsenal loanee did well to work his way past two or three Charlton players before sending the ball to Ogbene who won a corner which went straight into the arms of MacGilliray. Although the Millers were asking for a foul on Osei-Tutu referee Joyce didn’t agree and Charlton got away with Johansson making a save from Dobson. At the other end Smith dragged a shot wide before a corner from Osei-Tutu went into a melee of players before the referee gave a free-kick to the visitors. The Millers nearly conceded a second five minutes from time when they stood watching as Connor Washington tried to chip Johansson with the Millers’ ‘keeper holding on. A Wiles cross for Harding saw MacGilliray claim the ball before Miller tried the same cross which again was an easy catch for the Addicks shot-stopper. In time added on Charlton made their only change fetching on former Miller Ben Purrington for Corey Blackett-Taylor, but, by then, the Millers were down and out.
Another frustrating game for us Millers fans to watch. MacGilliray was wasting time from the opening minutes before Ross Joyce finally spoke to him around the hour mark and then he was given an easy ride by our corner takers when he didn’t even have to move for the ball to end up in his arms. We looked tired, weary and probably worst of all despondent – and that was only the fans. The players looked worse. Plan A doesn’t seem to be working with teams having found us out in the last few weeks – and I include Sutton United in that statement – but, unfortunately, we don’t appear to have a Plan B.
The games are coming thick and fast now and it’s another long trip on Tuesday night to Portsmouth, which, probably, we could have done without.
Attendance – 9,087 with 442 Charlton fans
Referee – Ross Joyce
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Lacklustre more like shambolic from beginning to end when the going gets tough the miller crumble , utter garbage warne we was shocking against Shrewsbury lucky against Sutton and just truly awful against Charlton , massive improvement needed warne big time .
And that improvement needs to start Tuesday, Stuart.
No shock really after recent home performances and the poor showing over 90 mins at Wembley.Apparently every player at Wembley had a £100 haircut and a complete wardrobe of clothes. After the match most of them stayed in London and partied on before returning to training on Tuesday. Why did Warne allow this as it obviously reinforced a wrong perception of success. It seems celebrating too early may well cost us promotion. I hope Tony Stewart realises how he’s been let down and that stupid decisions by his management may cost a mere £ 6million !!!! Warne has to shoulder the responsibility but the best he can do is to state the team was ‘ emotionally fatigued ‘ no wonder after the foot was taken off the pedal by management’s actions. I hope we can pick up the point but worry after last seasons games in hand debacle when we didn’t.
I honestly think one of our problems is that we haven’t got enough players in the squad. Personally, I’d have liked to have seen some of the younger ones on the pitch at Wembley and involved in the first team earlier in the season.
You’re right about the young players.Jake Hull and his cohorts are ready to go.They go on loan and get good reviews but then later we release them. Ryan Taylor was one who had a chance but then we let him go. The problem seems to be the types of contract they’re on and Warnes belief in going the hard route as he did. I wonder what will happen to his own son Mack as he comes of age ! There have been a lot of disappointed youth team players in recent years. The likes of Breckin Green Crawford and more all embarked on their career at early years. If we get to the Championship things will get worse as bigger names are the thing seen as the way forward. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
It’s a pity we don’t have reserve games any more because I think our younger players would get to stay at the club then and be ready to play when needed.