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Rotherham (h) - Sat 15:00 - What Can We Expect

Davefevs

By Davefevs
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Davefevs

Davefevs

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The second match of the reverse fixtures pitches us against the Millers.

Here’s the pre-match post from the first game:

One of the lowest scoring teams in the division and without a win in 8 (5 draws).  Surely a great way to end the year at home?  But look a bit deeper, up until their recent defeats to West Brom and Bolton, they’d lost only 1 in 10....although only 1 win also, suggesting draw specialists!   Home win not to be taken for granted then...especially with our home form.

How do they line-up?

Typically 4141/4411/451....not dissimilar to us.  However on Boxing Day they went 442, two big fellas up top.  Don’t know if this is an experiment / one-off, but let’s work on the assumption it is.

The Players?

296DDD7F-44E4-47A9-8628-2193AB815F93.thumb.jpeg.e35773ce5a475af219846bbb0d7fad9f.jpeg 

Couple of changes from October:

  • Vyner won’t be playing - not sure who will deputise, as Billy Jones us either injured or out if favour.  If Vaulks go into RB that will be a bonus for us.  Very tidy in CM for them.
  • Anthony Forde on the right wing instead of Ryan Williams.
  • Jamie Proctor up top alongside Michael Smith.

How Will They Play?

Direct(ish), but more from midfield and full-backs, than hoofs from CBs.  Expect lots of angled balls from wide into Smith and Proctor.  Smith has decent touch, so will be happy chest-down.  Important that we pick up runners, and Pack might actually be able to play an important defensive screen in fromt if a front two, which is not often the case.  

If so, then our two other CMs should not get outnumbered and / or outpassed / bypassed with give and go’s.

We need to make sure that both of our full-backs don’t get sucked in to defend, one should able to be free when we retrieve / retain the ball.  Rotherham having two up top, might stop Pack coming deep to get the ball, and might force him higher up the pitch.  I see this as key to springing Brownhill and Paterson beyond Vaulks and Towell and to put Ajayi and Robertson / Wood under pressure.

A win and 13 points from the last 7 and unbeaten will look so much better than a draw and 11 from 7 (but still unbeaten / 4 games winless).  A defeat would be very, very disappointing and halt progress (open to debate).

 

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Davefevs

Davefevs

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27 minutes ago, hodge said:

I'd be quite happy if Rotherham played 2 up top, would free up more space further up for us. Allow Brownhill and or Pato to get forward more and closer to Diedhiou.

That’s the gist of my penultimate paragraph, let’s see if it pans out like that.  Rotherham might go back to 4141 ?

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Davefevs

Davefevs

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2 minutes ago, hoxton casual said:

You mention give and go's Dave and I see them as a sign of a fit energetic team playing with confidence. Why do I see so few of these from City given their ability to commit defenders into spaces the dont want to go. I only seem to see them right in the corners.

Better ask someone qualified to answer ?

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Davefevs

Davefevs

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2 minutes ago, hoxton casual said:

But do you agree they do seem to be rare in our pattern of play? I know we lack pace on our team could that be the reason?

Yes, this season completely agree.  We are no longer asked to play through the lines, we are asked to play more quickly to Diedhiou.  In reality we fanny around knocking it between the “splitting CBs” (the en-vogue way of playing out from the back), whilst the opposition get everyone behind the ball...and in shape...then we launch it.

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Lrrr

Lrrr

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35 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

That’s the gist of my penultimate paragraph, let’s see if it pans out like that.  Rotherham might go back to 4141 ?

I wouldn't be surprised if they did, perhaps they viewed Bolton as a winnable away game and gambled on the 2 strikers, given the loss they may retreat into a shell and try to contain. If they went back into a 4141 I wouldn't mind us going 2 up top and trying to peg them further back, with perhaps Taylor's energy being used to rush their play out from the back.

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Mr Popodopolous

Mr Popodopolous

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This is a must win for me really.

Not in terms of League position- can't see us going up or going down personally, but certainly should be well clear of the drop. Rotherham at their place? Usually quite tricky, point an acceptable result. When Rotherham  are away? Gotta be a win hasn't it- certainly as you say @Davefevs a loss would be very disappointing indeed, but even a draw- drawing with Brentford is one thing, but Rotherham's away record is quite poor isn't it? 13 points from 7 games would look decent as you say so yeah home win has to be the aim here.

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Garland-sweden

Garland-sweden

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1 hour ago, joenaldo said:

If we do get the lead is crucial to go and get the 2nd goal and not just sit back waiting for them to equalise 

Yes, remember listen to radio when we were in leauge one. When we were 1-0 up the comentatores always said, we have to make it 2-0. Norwich, Derby, Brentford. Millwall home we were also 1-0 up. When we played Rotherham away they were the better team, 0-0. Really hope that we can win and score 2-3 goals. They sure will be defensive and its not gonna be easy. Play Eliasson and Odowda, they are both creative. Se are solid and ok but that little xtra missing in our team. Last game home think we did ok, Famara should have done 2-0 and then everybody should be happy. The leauge is difficault but saturday for me is a must win.

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Guest

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2 hours ago, joenaldo said:

If we do get the lead is crucial to go and get the 2nd goal and not just sit back waiting for them to equalise 

They are the lowest scoring team in the div and winless in 8games; no reason whatsoever not to get 3pts Sat

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Beni71

Beni71

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@Davefevs expecting a fairly dour game. Interesting on the odds for a nil nil. I do expect us to shade by one goal. I do have this crazy hunch that if we can get to 40 points + in January,  we may see more of the high pressing game we saw during Q4 2017. 

I think the management now recognise the players were burnt out by the end of Jan 18.

A lot will depend on the squad fitness, additions and also if we recall any of the loans in January.

Maybe just my wishful thinking!

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Robbored

Robbored

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Like most lowly teams they’ll be defensive. Two banks of four a wide man and lone striker,

City often struggle to break down packed defensives and unless we get an early goal to force them out then it’ll be another frustrating game.

Its games like this where we’ll miss Flint and his ability to nick a goal the most.

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Robin Wood

Robin Wood

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20 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Like most lowly teams they’ll be defensive. Two banks of four a wide man and lone striker,

City often struggle to break down packed defensives and unless we get an early goal to force them out then it’ll be another frustrating game.

Its games like this where we’ll miss Flint and his ability to nick a goal the most.

It really sounds like it's a game to give a miss can't imagine many people paying over 30 pounds to watch it 

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Robbored

Robbored

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7 minutes ago, Robin Wood said:

It really sounds like it's a game to give a miss can't imagine many people paying over 30 pounds to watch it 

I can remember Rotherham playing in an evening game at AG when John Ward was manager. City were flying high up in the division and Rotherham were low down.

They did exactly what you’d expect, defended and defended some more , nicked a goal and beat us 0-1. City were booed off. Ward was furious and the usually mild mannered he launched into the fans.........,

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Robin Wood

Robin Wood

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44 minutes ago, Robbored said:

I can remember Rotherham playing in an evening game at AG when John Ward was manager. City were flying high up in the division and Rotherham were low down.

They did exactly what you’d expect, defended and defended some more , nicked a goal and beat us 0-1. City were booed off. Ward was furious and the usually mild mannered he launched into the fans.........,

Seem to think I've seen them beat us at Ashton gate quite a few times, they are usually horrible and boring games to watch god I don't feel like going now

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phantom

phantom

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A game on paper we should win

But we are all aware of how this will pan out, we'll struggle to break them down, the usual individual mistake will cost us our lead, and we'll be bored to tears

But then expect us to go to Stoke and get a decent result

Assuming Rotherham were watching the Brentford game, they should fancy their chances of coming to us and getting a result if they have a go

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Lanterne Rouge

Lanterne Rouge

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48 minutes ago, Robbored said:

I can remember Rotherham playing in an evening game at AG when John Ward was manager. City were flying high up in the division and Rotherham were low down.

They did exactly what you’d expect, defended and defended some more , nicked a goal and beat us 0-1. City were booed off. Ward was furious and the usually mild mannered he launched into the fans.........,

I remember that game, Rotherham hadn`t won for about six months. I thought it was 2-0 though with Earl Jean (ex Plymouth) getting both.

Chucked it down all night IIRC.

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Davefevs

Davefevs

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1 minute ago, Hampshire reds said:

plenty of the ball but little goal mouth action. i think this is a massive game for lee. if we dont win this then a big decision needs to be made. we in my oppinion either sack lee or we spend in jan. interesting times ahead. 

If we win today, we’ll have 35 points from 25 games. We could be anywhere between 4 and 7 points off the play-offs depending on other results.  That would give us an indication in Jan as to whether we are settling or pushing.

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Andy082005

Andy082005

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12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If we win today, we’ll have 35 points from 25 games. We could be anywhere between 4 and 7 points off the play-offs depending on other results.  That would give us an indication in Jan as to whether we are settling or pushing.

....I really hope you haven't set off yet...

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Robbored

Robbored

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23 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If we win today, we’ll have 35 points from 25 games. We could be anywhere between 4 and 7 points off the play-offs depending on other results.  That would give us an indication in Jan as to whether we are settling or pushing.

You’ll be there with plenty of time to spare Dave............

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