Rotherham's 31 new signings: The Verdict

With the loan transfer window slamming shut this week, there can be no more additions to the Rotherham squad until the summer.

That's it now, the players at Steve Evans' disposal between now and the end of the season will determine the Millers' fate and whether they will be in the Championship next year or not.

It’s perhaps a good job the window has shut as the car park at the training ground was becoming pretty full given the plethora of signings Evans has made since the summer.

Evans, never one to shirk away from a new addition, has added a whopping 31 players to his squad from the one that had record-breaking success last season.

There have been plenty of arrivals at New York this season

The fact that there has been so many, with 15 of them currently no longer at the club, suggests that most have not paid off.

Let’s go through each signing and look to see if they have – so far at least – been a success or failure, not questioning their ability as players.

Scott Loach

Loach was a marquee signing in the summer given his international pedigree but failed to get into the side ahead of Wembley hero Adam Collin. When he finally got his chance a bad mistake at Ipswich in just his second appearance saw him dropped. He couldn’t regain his place and is currently on loan at League One Yeovil after a previous spell at Bury.

Verdict so far: FAILURE! He'll be gone in the summer.

 

This error could have cost Scott Loach his Miller career

Kirk Broadfoot

Joining with plenty of experience, Broadfoot began the season as a right-back as cover for the injured Frazer Richardson and did a steady job, though was a non-entity as an attacking threat. After initially struggling to make a centre-back position his own he was the subject of loan interest from Coventry but a deal could not be agreed.He has since fought his way into the reckoning, playing the last six games.

Verdict so far: SUCCESS! He's played 21 times so far, which is more than most.

Richard Wood

Another player who signed with plenty of experience after spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton, but injury has restricted him to just four appearances this season, with his lack of pace highlighted in the home defeat to Brentford. He is currently on loan until the end of the campaign at Crawley.
Verdict so far: FAILURE! Will he survive the curse of the loan?

Frazer Richardson

Rotherham-born Richardson has spent most of his career in the top two leagues and arrived at the Millers with the unenviable task of replacing James Tavernier. After recovering from injury he established himself as a consistent and reliable performer who is solid at the back and capable going forward before recently losing his position to Jack Hunt.

Verdict so far: SUCCESS! A competent performer for the Millers.

Mat Sadler

Having joined from League One Crawley, eyebrows were raised when left-back Sadler came to the Millers in the summer and after only one appearance he found himself back on loan in Sussex. His return to New York only came after a squad shake-up by John Gregory and soon headed back out of the club, heading to Oldham.

Verdict so far: FAILURE! Who saw this one coming?

Scott Wootton
Arriving from Leeds in November, Wootton signed as a centre-half but ended up playing at right-back and looked entirely competent. He featured seven times during a good spell for the Millers before being recalled at the end of his loan. Evans tried to buy him in January but he is now a regular at Elland Road.
Verdict: SUCCESS! The manager tried to buy him after all.

Reece James 
James arrived on loan before the November deadline after Evans decided that Joe Skarz would not make the grade at this level. He made seven appearances, offering a steady presence in the back with an improved quality going forward. He went back at the end of his spell in January.
Verdict: MEH! Didn't do much when he was but wasn't hopeless either.

Zeki Fryers
Signed as a replacement for James, Fryers came with the reputation of commanding a hefty fee in his younger days, but he struggled to win over most Rotherham fans. He made 10 appearances, one of which at Blackburn was an absolute shocker, before Evans decided he was not the man to fill the left-back role. He left last week.
Verdict: FAILURE! A regular but allowed to go back without a fight.

Jack Hunt
Hunt was another arrival from Crystal Palace in the January loan window and he has proved the most rounded right-back the Millers have had since James Tavernier. Similar to Tavernier, Hunt has been at his best going forward and has been one of the first names on the teamsheet when fit. A permanent addition in the summer would get the fans licking their lips.
Verdict so far: SUCCESS! Sign him up!

Daniel Lafferty
When signing for the Millers in March, Lafferty became the fourth left-back of the season to join. The Northern Ireland international has been selected in all four games he has been at the club and looks thoroughly competent.
Verdict so far: SUCCESS! Played every game he's been available.

Farrend Rawson
The arrival of Rawson raised several eyebrows given his lack of experience and his debut for the Millers was in fact his first Football League game. But his performances in his first three appearances showed maturity beyond his years, with his willingness to put his head on the ball and ability to defend. This will only ever likely to be a short-term loan, but he's done okay so far.
Verdict so far: SUCCESS! Has made game-changing impacts.

Paul Green

When Green signed in the summer there was a distinct feeling of ‘here’s another run-of-the-mill player’ but the capture of the midfielder has been some Evans’ best work in the transfer market. An energetic box-to-box midfielder who is creative and can do the defensive work, Green is a contender for the Millers’ player of the season.

Verdict so far: SUCCESS! A great addition, but if only he could head the ball.

 

Richie Smallwood's presence in midfield has been reassuring

Richie Smallwood

Smallwood needed no introduction after his performances on loan last term and after two initial bids were rejected over the close season, Evans was able to get his man shortly after the new campaign started. Carrying on in the same vein, Smallwood has been one of the consistent performers for the Millers and is a shouldn't have too much competition for the club's player of the year award.

Verdict so far: SUCCESS! Nailed on for player of the season?

Connor Newton

Newton was the first addition to the Millers ranks, arriving before last season had actually finished. Touted as a superb, exciting box-to-box midfielder, the former Newcastle man had to wait until the early part of 2015 before getting a run in the side, but playing on the right he has never nailed a position down.

Verdict so far: FAILURE! Never given a chance in his preferred position.

Anthony Wordsworth

Wordsworth became another player with an Ipswich connection to join the Millers when he signed on loan early into the campaign. After a brief spell in the team, where he scored in defeat at Bolton, the midfielder soon fell out of favour and did not feature in the matchday squad after October.

Verdict: FAILURE! The mind boggles at this one!

Paul Taylor

Another recruit from Ipswich, Taylor featured more than any of the other loan arrivals in the early part of the season, predominantly on the right. But he provided a distinct mixed bag. There were times where he showed real potential and threat, none more so than his second-half performance against Leeds and other times the lack of ability to pick out the right pass was cause of real frustration. His deal was not renewed in January.

Verdict: FAILURE! Learn to pass the ball man!

 

Taylor's performances were both promising and frustrating

Ryan Hall

Hall’s arrival was a real palm on the face moment for Millers fans given his less than impressive record, despite him signing a deal that benefitted the club. He made an early impact, scoring the winner against Wolves, but did little after, with his first-half performance against Leeds a real eye-opener. He was shipped out to Notts County on loan and left the club earlier in 2015, joining Luton on a short-term deal.

Verdict: FAILURE! And everyone knew it was going to be!

John Swift

Lauded as a boy wonder following his capture from Chelsea, Swift looked mightily impressive in his two pre-season outings and appearance from the bench against Derby in the campaign-opener. However, he was exposed in the first 45 minutes against Wolves and only made one more appearance. He returned to Stamford Bridge in November and is currently on loan at Swindon.

Verdict: FAILURE! He looked like a rabbit in the headlights at this level.

Febian Brandy

Brandy was another signing who had question marks over him following a disappointing spell in League One last year and the fact that he made just one substitute’s appearance suggests that those question marks remained for Evans. He spent time out on loan at Crewe and left the club in January.

Verdict: FAILURE! As expected.

Emmanuel Ledesma
The Argentinian was one of the new guard that came in from Middlesbrough before the November loan deadline and made an impact. His trickery and skill proved to be a useful asset on the right and his set-piece deliveries were also dangerous. He scored one goal before his loan spell was cut short, returning to Boro ahead of schedule. Evans tried to buy him permanently in the January transfer window but a fee could not be agreed.
Verdict: SUCCESS! His industry on the right has not yet been replaced.

Jack Barmby
Another signing from Leicester, Barmby was signed as a replacement for Ledesma and was a spectacular flop. He made only two appearances in an initial month-long, both defeats, and was sent back at the end of it having made no impact whatsoever.
Verdict: FAILURE! What was the point?

Adam Hammill
Hammill came to the club in early January on loan until the end of the season, with a view to making it permanent in the summer. His trickery, pace and wing-play has not been utilised to its full potential and he has been restricted to mainly substitute appearances. There have been times when he has made an impact off the bench, but there have been too many stepovers and not enough grit for a relegation battle. He was left out of the matchday squad against Sheffield Wednesday because there are too many loanees.
Verdict: FAILURE! Three starts and nine sub appearances.

Luciano Becchio

The Argentinian’s arrival on transfer deadline day represented a real coup for the Millers and was a sign that they were meaning business. He was worryingly out of shape, but had managed two goals before misfortune struck as he broke a heel in a behind-closed-doors game arranged specifically to give him game time. He returned to Norwich and never came back.

Verdict: FAILURE! If only that practice game wasn't arranged.

Jordan Bowery

Bowery came to the club as a record breaker from Aston Villa as the Millers paid more for him than any other player in their history in the summer. Signed for his physicality, pace and power Bowery has struggled to get regular action. His goal against Sheffield Wednesday last week was the first since November.

Verdict so far: FAILURE! He's been a bench warmer.

 

JCH started well but has been out on loan twice

Jonson Clarke-Harris

Arriving at New York about an hour before Becchio, Clarke-Harris eclipsed Bowery as the club’s record transfer fee when he joined from Oldham. Evans told everyone he signed the 20-year-old for his potential, but his promising ability was shown early on. But he failed to build on a promising autumn and has had loan spells at MK Dons and currently Doncaster.

Verdict so far: FAILURE! £400,000 and sent out on loan twice.

Matt Derbyshire

With Champions League football under his belt and an impressive pedigree, Derbyshire was the Millers’ first signing post-Wembley and it gave an insight into the waters they were now swimming in. His season has been one of two halves as before Christmas he was a striker bereft of confidence and could not find a goal if his life depended on it. But he has been a different proposition in 2015 and his hard work and endeavour has been rewarded with goals.

Verdict so far: SUCCESS! He's come good in the end and should have had more goals.

Tom Lawrence
Lawrence's loan arrival from Leicester marked an upturn in form for the Millers just before Christmas and the former Manchester United man played an integral part with his industry and skill. He played six games, scoring one goal, before being recalled by his parent club early. Several attempts to bring him back have been rebuffed.
Verdict: SUCCESS! Taken away before his time with the Millers was done.

Connor Sammon
Sammon was signed as a replacement for Alex Revell in early January and has been something of a mixed bag, with some impressive performances - Ipswich at home and Huddersfield away - thrown in with some ineffective ones. He has a been a regular in the side, though, both up front and on the wing.
Verdict so far: SUCCESS! Been an integral member of the squad throughout.

Danny Ward
An initial loan signing in January, which was made permanent several days later, Ward has been a positive addition to the Millers squad and was coming good before injury struck at the beginning of the month. The former Huddersfield man had showcased his aerial prowess, good link-up play and ability to run at the opposition. He could be a vital player in the final run-in. 
Verdict so far: SUCCESS! Going to be a big player for the Millers for years to come.


Not included in this list are Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez or Charlton midfielder Lawrie Wilson, who have only been at the club for a week.