Rotherham v Mainz: Five things we learned

Rotherham wrapped up their public pre-season preparations with an impressive win over German Bundesliga side Mainz 05 on Saturday.

It was a great test for them against a slick European outfit and they registered victory thanks to two goals in the final five minutes.

Here's five things we learned from the game.

1) Steve Evans is still not sure about the left-back position

After being such a problem position last year, it's perhaps no surprise if Evans is pacing his bedroom at night fretting about who will be his left-back, despite signing three players who can play there. However, Joe Mattock's injury, their desperation to get Aidy White into a more attacking role and the importance of Danny Collins playing centrally means that the Millers are still looking at options with only a week to go and they handed a game to trialist Joe Newell, currently at Peterborough. Newell has been training with the Millers for several days and will get the opportunity to earn a contract. He had a solid performance against Mainz, though got caught out a few times defensively, and his best contribution was a superb ball over the top for Jordan Bowery which set up the winner. Evans seems keen to give him a deal, but there's a definite 'Mat Sadler' feel to him. 

2) The Millers will be a much better defensive unit this season

There were times last season when you had to watch Rotherham's defending through your fingers it was that bad and as a result it brought a few whippings. But, having brought Eric Black into the coaching set-up, it is already evident the work he has been doing and how it will benefit the side. Throughout pre-season one of the buzzwords coming from the touchline has been 'shape' as the Millers staff have impressed on the players to retain their structure when they haven't got the ball. As a result they are now a much tighter and rigid shape when not in possession and that should stop a repeat of some of the defensive horror shows of last season. Evans admits it's a new approach for him to adopt, saying he usually turns up wanting to win 10-9, but it is one that will undoubtedly yield better results for the Millers.

3) Jordan Bowery can be a threat

Bowery got a bit of stick after his display against Leicester on Wednesday for being frustrating to watch. Against the Foxes he played in patches, anonymous and lightweight for much of it, but then threatening towards the end when he was direct and physical. Well he was much more of the latter against the German side after coming on as a sub for Chris Maguire and was rewarded with the winning goal and it gave a real insight into how good he can be. After setting up Matt Derbyshire's equaliser, he produced a fantastic run and was fed by Newell's superb pass, before powering his way into the area and shooting hard and low, with the shot squirming under the keeper and in. It was an impressive finish, even if the keeper should have saved it, and hopefully it will provide the striker with confidence ahead of next week, because if, and it's a big if, he can play like that regularly, he could be a real asset.

4) Old habits die hard

A pre-season friendly it may have been, but the desire to win and fightback will never leave an Evans side. After falling behind to Mainz midway through the second half, the Millers picked themselves up and raised their game and ended up with an unlikely win. Their equaliser was of real quality - a superb breakaway move which ended with Derbyshire curling superbly into the top corner from 20 yards - and while they weren't exactly throwing the kitchen sink at Mainz, they pushed for a winner, which Bowery duly obliged with two minutes before the end. Winning games with late goals is a habit always worth keeping and again shows the fitness levels are high and the spirit levels are still alive in the Millers camp. After enduring the boot being on the other foot plenty of times last season, this bodes well for the forthcoming campaign.

5) Mainz were a great advert for the German Bundesliga

It was difficult to know exactly what to expect from Mainz ahead of the game as, although they beat Lazio 3-0 in a midweek friendly before this clash, they did not arrive with a host of household names in the squad and they finished mid-table in the Bundesliga last season. But we now know they are a quality outfit, full of talented and technically gifted players who gave the Millers a real workout. They were in control for much of the game, looked to have so much time and space and produced a number of slick passing moves. They stepped it up in the second half and cut the hosts open a number of times and could have been three or four up had it not been for the post, Greg Halford's backside and the legs of Kelle Roos. Where they will finish in the Bundesliga is difficult to know, but they put up a great show at New York Stadium. And of course, a special mention has to go to the official 11 (though there appeared to be 13) Mainz fans who made the journey to the game.