Rotherham
are back in action when they face Reading on Tuesday night and it
promises to be a tough test.
It's
Neil Redfearn's first home game in charge and he will be hoping to
mark it with the three points.
Here's
five things to look out for in the game.
Who will be fit?
Redfearn
has not had the easiest of first week's in the job as not only is he
faced with three games in six days he is now also battling an injury
crisis as the Millers squad looks worryingly thin. Joe Mattock
(shoulder), Joe Newell (foot), Lee Frecklington (calf) and Danny Ward
(back) are all expected to be absent for the clash with the Royals
while Richie Smallwood is definitely suspended. It means that
Redfearn could have trouble filling the bench. Harry Toffolo will
come into the back four while the new Millers boss appears to have no
option but to play either Grant Ward or Tony Andreu and Paul Green in central midfield.
This run of injuries has highlighted that there is little strength in
depth at the club and Redfearn will want to address that.
Harry Toffolo is Redfearn's number one
Toffolo
is almost certain to make his Millers debut following his loan move
from Norwich on Monday. It will be his second outing at New York
Stadium of the season after he played in August's Capital One Cup tie
where the Canaries won 2-1. On that day he showed a good engine,
getting up and down the left flank well while also possessing a
dangerous left foot. His main task, though, will be to attend to the
dangers that Nick Blackman will likely cause. He met and trained with
his team-mates for the first time on Monday so has not had the most
preparation, but he has to hit the ground running. If he is as
impressive as the two other loanees from Norwich this season then
there's hope.
Getting the home form right
One
thing that Redfearn will want to address is the home form. The
Millers picked up most of their points on home soil last season and
their form there was imperative in helping them secure their
Championship safety. But so far this season they have struggled on
their own patch, picking just four points up from their first five
games and losing three of them. Redfearn has highlighted that the
support at New York Stadium can be very partisan and he will hope
that he can harnass that and create a fortress where it provides a
regular supply of points.
A Royal appointment
The
Royals side that turn up tomorrow night will be a far cry from the
one the Millers beat to secure their survival last April. Boss Steve
Clarke was clear that night that big changes were necessary if
Reading wanted to get back in the Premier League and the early signs
are that he has made them well. They have started the season in fine
style and in Nick Blackman have one of the form strikers of the
division. The former Sheffield United man has scored nine goals in
nine games and has helped fire the Royals to third place. Rotherham
will hope that the midweek atmosphere will work in their favour, but
there appears to be no soft underbelly them this time around and they
have won their last three away games. This will be a real tough test
for the Millers.
