Rotherham may have conceded 13 goals in their opening five
games of the Championship campaign, but midfielder Richie Smallwood believes
their problems lie at the other end. of the pitch.
The Millers have shipped four goals twice and three once in losing four of their first five league outings of the season as they prop up
the rest of the division in the embryonic table.
Boss Steve Evans has already brought in a new goalkeeper and
stripped centre-back Greg Halford of the captaincy, but Smallwood insists it is
missed chances that are costing his side.
“I’ve seen enough to think we can turn it round,” he said.
“In every game, we have had three or four good, good
chances. Not half-chances, really good chances.
“I think if we can start taking them, then we’ll have some
good results. The goals we’ve conceded, we can obviously stop them.
“But goals change games and we’re just not sticking our
chances in the net at the minute.
“We have had some very good chances. At the times we’ve had
them, had we been sticking them away the whole game would have changed and
maybe the results would have been different."
Despite a successful three years, with Championship survival
following back-to-back promotions, the Millers are effectively starting from
scratch this season.
They have made 15 summer signings, with 11 players leaving
the club, and that makes them the team with the biggest overhaul in the
division.
Only nine players who played more than a 1,000 minutes last
season remain at the club – the lowest number in the league.
But Smallwood believes there is a good squad in place and
believes they can turn their poor start around.
“I think we’ve got a good team, a good squad,” he added. “The
players we have brought in have got good experience and good quality.
“Some have played in the Premier League and a lot are
experienced at this level as well. We’re strong.
“Maybe there’s still some gelling to be done. All the new
lads seem to have settled well. They’re living not to far away, they’re
settled, so I don’t really see that being a problem.
“The mood is still positive, definitely. It’s early days in
the season and we’re all wanting to pull in the right direction. I’m sure we’ll
do that.”
