Rotherham United welcome an untested Bolton Wanderers side and management team to the New York Stadium on Saturday.
The Millers go into this game without a home win and, reading round the comments, a very restless fan base. Rotherham’s last home league game was a one-all draw with Tranmere while Bolton’s last away league game was a five-nil loss at Gillingham with a very young team.
Last weekend saw Rotherham lose their first away game of the season at neighbours Doncaster while Bolton’s home game against Bradford City in the EFL Trophy ended one-all with City winning on penalties.
Millers Manager Paul Warne had nothing but compliments for the duo who have taken over at the University of Bolton Stadium saying that he and his number two Mike Pollitt know Keith Hill and David Flitcroft well telling the Official Site ‘They’re both football people and I think I’m right in saying they’re Bolton supporters too, so it’s an absolute dream job for them’ and he expects them to be a motivated and organised team.
The Millers will be without winger Chiedozie Ogbene who has a hamstring and while Julien Lamy was on the bench last weekend he isn’t match fit enough for a start. Billy Jones and Trevor Clarke are still missing as is striker Kyle Vassell who is still about a week away. Shaun MacDonald, who limped off last weekend, is also a doubt after missing three days of training.
Speaking to BW News Keith Hill first praised the Bolton fans saying, ‘it’s amazing that the away allocation of tickets has been sold out. We are away from home, Rotherham are a good side. We are looking forward to the challenge. Our season starts now.’
Defender Joe Bunney is definitely out after a car accident has left him with a broken collarbone and ribs but the other nine new signings should all be fit for their first league game with the Wanderers this season. Bolton’s Manager says there have been a couple of training ground injuries this week but wouldn’t name names.
Sebastian Stockbridge from the Tyne and Wear has the whistle for this game.
Just our luck to be the first to play the ‘new Bolton’ with no idea who or how they might play.
Warney’s already looking for excuses and praising the opposition.
We should be able to match any team in this division.
With our recent Championship status and player additions we should have no problems. However Warney undermines this with his cautious comments and respect for the opposition.
Sometimes it’s needed to be a bit ‘gungho’ and shout how good we are even if we’re not. He doesn’t seem to grasp that.
Steve Evens and others had tons of enthusiasm and belief that rubbed off on players making them believe they were better than the opposition. This also worked for the supporters who expected a win and usually saw one each week.
This lack of motivation by the management team is why the players heads drop when the game plan fails.
The crowd senses it and the negativity starts.I feel worried as I walk to the ground whereas I’ve usually been so optimistic .
I don’t like to say it but maybe Warney just isn’t right for the fight this time. We need a real motivator or this season will be a disaster.
I hope I’m wrong UTM.
I think you might want to think again after todays result, Bry! I have to agree though – the crowd do feel any negativity coming from the players but also I think it’s works the other way too with the players feeling any unrest from the crowd.