Davefevs Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 A very different away game than Wigan recently. From what I’ve seen of The Millers, they are not a heavy pressing team like Wigan, but a team prepared to sit in behind the ball and deny space. That may be that in other games they are big underdogs (Derby, Stoke etc) on paper and playing differently to the previous Rotherham side who have relied on a physical striker paired with an, athletic, mobile pairtner up front in the form of Ward, Revell, Clarke-Harris, Derbyshire etc. How Do They Line-up? Predominantly 4141 this season, but Saturday v Stoke they went 4411. In the absence of my trusted Transfermarkt pitch graphic, I've gone to Sky....you even get player photos this time! GK: Rodak - Slovakian on loan from Fulham. Punches more than Joe Bugner (one for you old’uns), but generally assured. Not a strong puncher, so opportunities around the edge of the box from corners. RB: Jones - former West Brom / Sunderland man who I always thought was a steady Prem performer and surprised to see at a club like RU. Good going both ways, and will give whoever plays LM a tough night. LB: Mattock - another former West Brom player. Definitely one who likes to join the attack and got a tidy left foot. CB: Ajayi - ex-Arsenal youngster, who signed from Cardiff. Physically imposing, good pace, unruffled CB, who likes to play and will take a touch. Likes to mark tight and comfortable chasing down the sides. CB: Wood - good old pro, no thrills CB, who is a threat from set-pieces. Not sure if he’ll be fit on Wednesday after coming off v Stoke. Without the ineligible Vyner that may cause Vaulks to play CB, or a reshuffle with Jones playing inside. RM: Williams - dangerman - a pest of a player in the niggly Taylor mould. Energetic and decent feet. Will be their spark on Wednesday. Happy to float inside and join up with their 2 forward players. LM: Newell - ex-Posh, with a nice left foot, but not overly quick. Surprised he didn’t take any set-pieces (see Manning). Works the space well fir Mattock to get forward. CM: Vaulks - ex-Falkirk player who was rumoured to be on our watch list in summer of 16/17 season. Got the normal OTIB “glowing reference” but everytime I’ve seen him, he’s looked a decent midfielder who does the simple stuff well. Chips in with goals. CM: Manning - on loan from QPR, probably behind Freeman in pecking order. Very nice left foot, who takes a good Set-piece. One to watch in our final third. AM: Towell - recent move into the AM position, and busy player without setting the world on fire. ST: Smith - ex-Swindon man, who scored the winner in the Wade Elliott red card game in 14/15. Good feet for a big man but not gonna run in behind us. Will peel to the back stick for crosses so Kelly and Hunt beware. Other players: Palmer - ex-Burton man in CM who may come in if Vaulks go to CB. Taylor - another ex-Posh wideman, and Forde, ex-Walsall winger, both with pace. Injuries to Vassell and ex-Fleetwood target man Proctor making for lack of options up top. So How Do We Beat Them? As above, Rotherham are not an up and at ‘em team, despite playing a lot of long balls, so content to sit in and break with Towell and Williams getting in and around Smith. When City have the ball, I see less need for Pack to drop in and the CBs to split, as Smith won’t press until we reach halfway, and then it’s more about shuffling across the pitch. Towell, Newell and Williams will engage as we move 10 yards into their half. Interesting how the less comfortable on the ball Baker will deal with more time and space than normal. There is an argument for Kelly at LCB and Dasilva at LB, but I would be surprised if LJ left Baker out (he was on press duty today - Think Agard was the last player to be omitted having done the presser!). Rotherham will try to condense the space centrally when we get into their half. I noticed v Stoke his narrow they are at that point, both side midfielders and full-backs. There is no room down the side for Weimann’s clever runs once we have possession 40 yards out. So we need to get the ball wide quickly to allow our wide players to attack before the whole team has shuffled across and closed space down. Our strikers must be prepared to attack the box in anticipation of early ball whipped in front of their defence. The other option is to draw Rotherham forward and then spring Weimann or Taylor in the channel where Mattock typically starts high, or on the break. Ajayi does cover well though. The other weakness is the keeper’s punches, they aren’t punches that clear the area, but land around the edge of the area, perfect for a Brownhill to add to his goal tally. One area we must watch is their corners from the right, where they start their runs from outside the area. If we allow them to get a run on top of Manning’s excellent delivery, we’ll be picking the ball out of the net. 10 pts from 5 home games (zero points away) shows that we need to approach with caution, and come away with a point isn’t as bad as you might think. Safe journey all those travelling. @Grey Fox - over to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Would Vyner be allowed to play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Just now, Dolman Block B said: Would Vyner be allowed to play? Please see above under “CB: Wood” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 I’m just wondering if their Number 13 takes the throw ins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, CyderInACan said: I’m just wondering if their Number 13 takes the throw ins Just “Dont Panic” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 12 minutes ago, Davefevs said: Please see above under “CB: Wood” Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepywall Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Can I just say Davefevs what a fantastic write up !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Great writeup, as always! Could it be a night, not that I generally advocate it, to 'let' Rotherham have the ball a bit more than they're used to and then as @Davefevs said spring them with quick breaks with Weimann, Taylor- or if we start them, both- draw them onto us a bit and take advantage of their errors, for periods at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 15 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said: Great writeup, as always! Could it be a night, not that I generally advocate it, to 'let' Rotherham have the ball a bit more than they're used to and then as @Davefevs said spring them with quick breaks with Weimann, Taylor- or if we start them, both- draw them onto us a bit and take advantage of their errors, for periods at least. Very much so when we have the ball in our own half, that is the chance to spring the runners. i really don’t think we need a back 3 (as per your other thread), although I’ve just read GMcG’s transcript of LJ’s presser, where he mentions all manner of things that might lead to a re-shuffle in the back line. It shouldn’t be necessary with Smith ploughing a lone furrow, and would allow their FBs and WMs to overload our WBs...which is probably the best aspect of their style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, Davefevs said: Very much so when we have the ball in our own half, that is the chance to spring the runners. i really don’t think we need a back 3 (as per your other thread), although I’ve just read GMcG’s transcript of LJ’s presser, where he mentions all manner of things that might lead to a re-shuffle in the back line. It shouldn’t be necessary with Smith ploughing a lone furrow, and would allow their FBs and WMs to overload our WBs...which is probably the best aspect of their style. Back 3 would be interesting, if unnecessary perhaps- was actually advocating a central 3 in midfield. Yeah, we'd have to look out for, be alert to those overloads by Rotherham. 4-4-2 just doesn't wholly convince me tbh, but tomorrow night it maybe useful because of the overload thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 4 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said: Back 3 would be interesting, if unnecessary perhaps- was actually advocating a central 3 in midfield. Yeah, we'd have to look out for, be alert to those overloads by Rotherham. 4-4-2 just doesn't wholly convince me tbh, but tomorrow night it maybe useful because of the overload thing. Ah, ok. Yes, And for once I might advocate our full-backs playing slightly higher when in possession to pin Newell and Williams back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Fox Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Davefevs said: A very different away game than Wigan recently. From what I’ve seen of The Millers, they are not a heavy pressing team like Wigan, but a team prepared to sit in behind the ball and deny space. That may be that in other games they are big underdogs (Derby, Stoke etc) on paper and playing differently to the previous Rotherham side who have relied on a physical striker paired with an, athletic, mobile pairtner up front in the form of Ward, Revell, Clarke-Harris, Derbyshire etc. How Do They Line-up? Predominantly 4141 this season, but Saturday v Stoke they went 4411. In the absence of my trusted Transfermarkt pitch graphic, I've gone to Sky....you even get player photos this time! GK: Rodak - Slovakian on loan from Fulham. Punches more than Joe Bugner (one for you old’uns), but generally assured. Not a strong puncher, so opportunities around the edge of the box from corners. RB: Jones - former West Brom / Sunderland man who I always thought was a steady Prem performer and surprised to see at a club like RU. Good going both ways, and will give whoever plays LM a tough night. LB: Mattock - another former West Brom player. Definitely one who likes to join the attack and got a tidy left foot. CB: Ajayi - ex-Arsenal youngster, who signed from Cardiff. Physically imposing, good pace, unruffled CB, who likes to play and will take a touch. Likes to mark tight and comfortable chasing down the sides. CB: Wood - good old pro, no thrills CB, who is a threat from set-pieces. Not sure if he’ll be fit on Wednesday after coming off v Stoke. Without the ineligible Vyner that may cause Vaulks to play CB, or a reshuffle with Jones playing inside. RM: Williams - dangerman - a pest of a player in the niggly Taylor mould. Energetic and decent feet. Will be their spark on Wednesday. Happy to float inside and join up with their 2 forward players. LM: Newell - ex-Posh, with a nice left foot, but not overly quick. Surprised he didn’t take any set-pieces (see Manning). Works the space well fir Mattock to get forward. CM: Vaulks - ex-Falkirk player who was rumoured to be on our watch list in summer of 16/17 season. Got the normal OTIB “glowing reference” but everytime I’ve seen him, he’s looked a decent midfielder who does the simple stuff well. Chips in with goals. CM: Manning - on loan from QPR, probably behind Freeman in pecking order. Very nice left foot, who takes a good Set-piece. One to watch in our final third. AM: Towell - recent move into the AM position, and busy player without setting the world on fire. ST: Smith - ex-Swindon man, who scored the winner in the Wade Elliott red card game in 14/15. Good feet for a big man but not gonna run in behind us. Will peel to the back stick for crosses so Kelly and Hunt beware. Other players: Palmer - ex-Burton man in CM who may come in if Vaulks go to CB. Taylor - another ex-Posh wideman, and Forde, ex-Walsall winger, both with pace. Injuries to Vassell and ex-Fleetwood target man Proctor making for lack of options up top. So How Do We Beat Them? As above, Rotherham are not an up and at ‘em team, despite playing a lot of long balls, so content to sit in and break with Towell and Williams getting in and around Smith. When City have the ball, I see less need for Pack to drop in and the CBs to split, as Smith won’t press until we reach halfway, and then it’s more about shuffling across the pitch. Towell, Newell and Williams will engage as we move 10 yards into their half. Interesting how the less comfortable on the ball Baker will deal with more time and space than normal. There is an argument for Kelly at LCB and Dasilva at LB, but I would be surprised if LJ left Baker out (he was on press duty today - Think Agard was the last player to be omitted having done the presser!). Rotherham will try to condense the space centrally when we get into their half. I noticed v Stoke his narrow they are at that point, both side midfielders and full-backs. There is no room down the side for Weimann’s clever runs once we have possession 40 yards out. So we need to get the ball wide quickly to allow our wide players to attack before the whole team has shuffled across and closed space down. Our strikers must be prepared to attack the box in anticipation of early ball whipped in front of their defence. The other option is to draw Rotherham forward and then spring Weimann or Taylor in the channel where Mattock typically starts high, or on the break. Ajayi does cover well though. The other weakness is the keeper’s punches, they aren’t punches that clear the area, but land around the edge of the area, perfect for a Brownhill to add to his goal tally. One area we must watch is their corners from the right, where they start their runs from outside the area. If we allow them to get a run on top of Manning’s excellent delivery, we’ll be picking the ball out of the net. 10 pts from 5 home games (zero points away) shows that we need to approach with caution, and come away with a point isn’t as bad as you might think. Safe journey all those travelling. @Grey Fox - over to you! Condensed version " kick the bloody ball, in the bloody net" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 Towell will be thrown in on Wednesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddogkev Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 For once, I'd love to see City playing a team that doesn't have a danger man - can't they all just be a little bit rubbish? Quality research and write up, top man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 Good write up. Always liked Mattock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooRya Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 I would advocate that City spring all their attacks down the right hand side, as all the Rotherham players seem to have a problem with their left eyes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol_South_End Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 16 hours ago, Davefevs said: I would be surprised if LJ left Baker out (he was on press duty today - Think Agard was the last player to be omitted having done the presser!). I think Watkins did the presser for Sheff Utd and was on the bench this season didn't he? Not that I think Baker won't start, he and Webster did pretty well together on Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinito Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 Why is Vyner on the bench if he is ineligeble? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcofisher Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 5 minutes ago, Robinito said: Why is Vyner on the bench if he is ineligeble? Because that was their line-up against Stoke last weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinito Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 Ah, fair enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Army 75 Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 No disrespect to Rotherham. And every championship game is difficult. But if the management and players are to meet their expectations of the season. These are the games we should be picking points up from. So saying that it will be 2-1 Rotherham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cider-Head23 Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 I'm not saying it'll be easy but the points are certainly there for the taking. One of the weaker sides in the league, throw in a few injuries and Vyner not being able to play either. Gotta win these type of games if we have ambitions of top 10 let alone top 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 What to be expected? If the bookies have any clue, a defeat- looked at one betting preview and Prutton's prediction and both have it down as a Rotherham win which is odd. Think this is very winnable though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldlandReddies Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 They are unbeatable at home and have not lost hosting us for 28 years so the best we can hope for is a point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 8 hours ago, reddogkev said: For once, I'd love to see City playing a team that doesn't have a danger man - can't they all just be a little bit rubbish? Quality research and write up, top man! Funny you say that, on Twentyman last night (listened this morning) the Rotherham reporter up north was asked by Geoff who the dangerman was, suggesting Smith. The reporter said they don’t have one!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinéadB Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said: What to be expected? If the bookies have any clue, a defeat- looked at one betting preview and Prutton's prediction and both have it down as a Rotherham win which is odd. Think this is very winnable though. Not sure about that. Bet365 have the Rotherham win at 3.75, draw at 3.5 and a City win at 2.1 which I think is fair. We've not looked particularly strong in the last few games but this is a game we can win and bring our confidence back up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dastardly and Muttley Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said: What to be expected? If the bookies have any clue, a defeat- looked at one betting preview and Prutton's prediction and both have it down as a Rotherham win which is odd. Think this is very winnable though. Prutton’s a wankpuffin. Never has a nice thing to say about us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 14 minutes ago, Dastardly and Muttley said: Prutton’s a wankpuffin. Never has a nice thing to say about us. Tbh, I don't pay him a great deal of attention- his predictions aside. Think he had us down to win at WBA, so going by that I'm a bit more confident Wednesday. @bcfcbird We must use different sites- I just had a quick scan- our past record there doesn't fill me with a great deal of hope, but if there's a good time to break that streak it's tomorrow- not least because of Rotherham's injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Robin Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 A must win match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrrr Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Dan Robin said: A must win match. I hate this saying 10 games into the season when we're at no danger of relegation atm. We could lose this win the next and no one would really bat an eye. If Hunt is the rumoured potential injured player I wonder whether we may go 3 at the back .... Maenpaa Webster .... Baker.... Kelly O'Dowda .......................................... Eliasson Brownhill ........... Pack .......Paterson Taylor .... Weimann Basically Pato getting 1 last chance through the middle how he did well last season, but this is also a case of what happens when you get a few injuries and all your best younger players are loaned out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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