Rotherham travel to Fulham on
Wednesday as they look to continue the momentum which has seen them move out of
the relegation zone.
It’s a game that has suddenly
become entirely winnable following impressive displays in wins over Hull and
Bolton.
Here’s four things to look
out for in the game.
Three and not so easy
Rotherham made it
back-to-back wins for the third time this season when seeing off Bolton on
Boxing Day but they have yet to further their winning sequence to three. In
fact, that is an achievement they have not yet managed since their return
to the second tier as they never won more than one in a row last season. You have to go back to 2003-04 to find their last three-game winning run when they
beat Walsall, Coventry and Wimbledon. How Neil Redfearn would love his side to
end that wait at Craven Cottage and build on what has been a very good
Christmas so far.
Entering the new year on a high
We are now just days away
from the month which has been highlighted as the most important in Rotherham’s
season – January. That assertion, which was already well known, was reiterated
by Redfearn after the horror show at Huddersfield and when he said the Millers
were looking in danger of getting cut adrift. Now, by the time January comes, whatever
happens at Craven Cottage Redfearn’s side are guaranteed to out of the
relegation zone when Big Ben strikes 12 on Friday and who would have thought that
when the post-mortem of Huddersfield was taking place? How good would the New
Year celebrations be if the Millers can end 2015 four – or even two – points clear
of the drop zone?
Translating performances on the road
Rotherham’s last two performances,
which has breathed fresh life into their season, both came at New York Stadium and
the challenge now is to pack them up and take them on the road, starting at
Fulham. Danny Ward’s emergence as a credible lone striker should certainly help
their cause and the way that he has been joined in attack by Grant Ward, Joe
Newell and others, allowing them to be dangerous on the break in the last two
games is suited to playing away from home. Fulham will be expected to be the
attacking force and be on the front foot and, providing they defend well, that
plays right into Rotherham’s hands. They five-man midfield has helped solidity
that was missing at Huddersfield and now there is a goal threat, Redfearn must
surely fancy getting something out of the game.
The new manager effect
The Millers take on a side
who are woefully out of form and having not won in eight games confidence
should be low. But the appointment of former Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic
will provide them with a timely boost and it could present problems for the
Millers. The Fulham players could all now have an extra spring in their step as
they try and impress their new manager, who is unlikely to be in control of the
side. On top of that, the chairman came out with a rallying call on Monday
which will only serve to fire the supporters and the side up.
