12:33:00
Five things we learned from the Derby game
Rotherham
came within seven minutes of recording a famous victory as they pushed
promotion-chasing Derby all the way in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
It was
another point towards safety and yet another performance which suggests the
Millers belong in the Championship.
Here’s
five things we learned from the game.
The
Millers now have attacking options
With Matt
Derbyshire’s rise to prominence and the January arrival of Danny Ward and
Connor Sammon, the days of Rotherham drawing blanks look to be over. The 2015 Derbyshire
is akin to having a new player, with his ability to lead the line, his clever
running of the channels and his new-found confidence in front of goal. Not only
that, but the former Nottingham Forest man has forged good partnerships with
both Ward and Sammon.
Derbyshire and Sammon initially hit it off and Ward found
himself out of the side, but the 24-year-old impressed as a sub at Blackburn
and then put in an enterprising display in the draw with the Rams. With the
midfield beginning to contribute goals it all points to the Millers being able
to score enough to bring the points in.
There’s
fine lines between success and failure in the Championship
Steve Evans
has often talked about the fine margins deciding matches and that was again
prevalent against the Rams. With the Millers rampant and 3-1 up, Derbyshire
came within inches of making it 4-1 as his rasping drive was superbly turned
over by Rams keeper Lee Grant. From the resulting corner, the visitors broke
and Tom Ince reduced their arrears, completely changing the game. Rotherham
were no longer the dominant force and 25 minutes of backs-to-the-walls
defending beckoned. The rest is history.
Richie
Smallwood can deliver a free-kick
Well, who
knew it? There’s no doubt we know where Richie Smallwood’s strengths lie. The
midfielder has been an influential figure in the middle of the park this
season, constantly breaking down opposition moves with incessant tackling and
blocking. It is a faceless task that often goes without reward. Millers fans
have not witnessed too much of an attacking threat from him, indeed his
selection as a right winger in November’s defeat at Reading will not live long in
the memory.
However,
Smallwood showcased his attacking capabilities by scoring his first goal for
the club from a free-kick. The delivery from the left was precise enough to
ensure that if nobody got a head to it, then it would end up in the back of the
net. No one did get a touch to it, Grant punched at fresh air and it ended up
in the top corner.
There’s
always a chance to play under Steve Evans
Not many
people would have expected to see either Rob Milsom or Kirk Broadfoot in a
Millers shirt again. But both made their first Championship starts since
November and did not let anyone down. Broadfoot shed his calamitous tendencies
which dogged his previous appearances and marshalled Darren Bent superbly while
Milsom was confident and assured on the ball.
Milsom
was on loan at League Two Bury earlier this season, but boss Evans said he has
been so good in training that he had no choice but to play him. It proves
that no matter how long you have been out of the team or however many new
players the club bring in, there’s always a chance to get in Evans’ team.
Unless you’re Mat Sadler.
Other
managers think Rotherham are decent
If Mick
McCarthy and Steve McClaren, both managers who have led sides at the very top
level, are right then Rotherham will have no issues retaining their
Championship safety this season. McClaren was gushing in his praise of the
Millers following Tuesday’s draw, saying: “They have got no problem staying in
this league, they are too strong. They have got a good way of playing and we
saw that. We didn’t cope with it.”
It must
be particularly nice for Evans to hear praise and receive recognition from
such esteemed managers and it is vindication for the job he has been doing. And
both of those men are spot on, if Rotherham can produce the level they did
against Ipswich and Derby then mid-table beckons.