Match Preview

Preview – Millers Away At Derby

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Rotherham United travel to Pride Park this afternoon to take on Derby County who have just made temporary manager Wayne Rooney the permanent Boss.

With games in hand the Millers sit in the bottom three of the Championship not having played a League game yet in 2021 while Derby are one place and three points above Rotherham having lost their last league game to the Millers’ near neighbours Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Both teams lost their recent FA Cup game, Rotherham taking Everton to extra time at Goodison Park while a young Rams side travelled to Chorley, losing two-nil with the first team being in self-isolation due to Covid-19. The Millers last away game was a two-one loss at Blackburn Rovers despite taking the lead while Derby ‘s last game at Pride Park saw them lose one-nil to visiting Preston.

After getting back to training at the ground, Derby defender Nathan Byrne told their Official Site that he believes the team are in a better place than they were previously in the season saying, ‘We are really enjoying our football and I think we are showing a lot more of what we truly are. We are creating chances and getting forward and playing good, attacking football.’ Talking about this game, the former Wigan Athletic player said, ‘They (Rotherham) are fighters, they never give up, they are relentless.’

Jordon Ibe won’t feature as he is the subject of an internal disciplinary investigation but former Miller Tom Lawrence could return after being out for a month with an ankle injury.  Martyn Waghorn is available after serving a three match ban while Jack Stretton has recovered from a calf problem.

‘Because they haven’t been able to train much, we can’t be as detailed as we would like,’ Millers Boss Paul Warne told Radio Sheffield about Derby’s Covid problems. ‘They are very difficult to score against and have tightened up at the back. I don’t think they will be in the position they see themselves in now come the end of the season. Everybody outside this football club will view this as a must win bottom of the table clash but all our games are must win.’

Long term injured pair Clark Robertson and Shaun MacDonald will travel today but their starting place will more than likely be on the bench. Jamal Blackman was in goal in the FA Cup game last weekend but Viktor Johansson could take his place – the Gaffer is keeping his cards close to his chest on this one.

The referee for this game is James Linington from the Isle of Wight.

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