Rotherham United’s first competitive game of the new season is against Hull City in the Capital One Cup at the KC Stadium.
Last Season the Tigers lost manager Nigel Pearson in November who left to go to Leicester City along with his back room staff. Chairman Assem Allam appointed Nick Barmby as caretaker manager with former coach Steve Wigley returning as first team coach. In January Barmby was given the job on a permanent deal but when he criticised the Chairman for terminating the contract of Head of Football Operations Adam Pearson in May, he was sacked. City finished eighth in the Championship. In June the club announced that Steve Bruce was to be the new manager.
Last season the Millers were knocked out in this competition by Leicester City at Don Valley four-one after an own goal by Matt Mills opening the scoring for the Millers. The Tigers also went out in the first round at home to Macclesfield Town.
Vital Quotes:
Steve Bruce – We haven’t made a fist of cup competitions in the last couple of years. The fact that the season is starting with a cup completion won’t alter our approach and it will be good for a few individuals to get them playing. It’s a game we are looking forward to and I’m sure Rotherham will be tough and uncompromising and they will want to come here and turn us over which we have to guard against.
Steve Evans – Hull are a good side and it’s quite evident that the boys who Steve Bruce has brought in have a lot of quality and have class all over the park. With it being his first competitive fixture as the Hull manager Steve will be looking to progress in the cup while it’s what I call my ‘first full’ fixture as Rotherham Manager so it will be a clash of the Steve`s. Our fans will go there expecting us to win while ninety-nine per cent of the country expect Hull to win but it’s a cup tie and where there’s cup ties there’s always upsets.
Hull City Team News:
Steve Bruce could use this game to have another look at players and Liam Rosenior, James Chester and Abdoulaye Faye could play some part during the afternoon while Nick Proschwitz could make his debut in the game. Two who won’t play are goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic and striker Sone Aluko as they are awaiting international clearance. Andy Dawson (thigh) and Corry Evans (hamstring) are out and there are doubts over Liam Cooper and Jack Hobbs.
Player to watch: Matty Fryatt
Striker who joined the Tigers in January 2011 from Leicester. Scored sixteen goals last season three being against Barnsley in April.
Rotherham United Team News:
Steve Evans will be without Dale Tonge (Achilles) and Nicky Hunt (hamstring) but Kari Arnason will be available as he has delayed meeting up with the Icelandic team and Alex Revell and Jason Taylor have both recovered from knocks.
Player to watch: Kari Arnason
The twenty-nine year old midfielder has impressed pre-season after joining from Aberdeen in July.
Match Facts & Stats
Ref Watch:
Darren Sheldrake from Surrey.
Next Fixtures:
The Millers first League Two game of the season is at the New York Stadium against Burton Albion on Saturday, 18th August where there will be a 3.00pm kick-off.
