Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill insists his side will have to match Rotherham's work ethic if they are to prosper this weekend.
Cotterill brings his Robins side to New York Stadium to face a Millers side buoyed by their impressive 1-0 win at Leeds last week - boss Neil Redfearn's first at the helm.
That win at Elland Road saw the Millers adopt a "back-to-basics" approach, which was underpinned by a defensive solidity and a relentless work rate all over the pitch.
Given its success, Redfearn is likely to persist with those tactics and Cotterill is wise to them.
He said in his pre-match press conference: "It’s difficult to see what’s changed because they have still been a little bit up and down, but they had a good result last weekend.
Cotterill brings his Robins side to New York Stadium to face a Millers side buoyed by their impressive 1-0 win at Leeds last week - boss Neil Redfearn's first at the helm.
That win at Elland Road saw the Millers adopt a "back-to-basics" approach, which was underpinned by a defensive solidity and a relentless work rate all over the pitch.
Given its success, Redfearn is likely to persist with those tactics and Cotterill is wise to them.
He said in his pre-match press conference: "It’s difficult to see what’s changed because they have still been a little bit up and down, but they had a good result last weekend.
“They look like they’ve gone back to basics a little bit. That’s probably what Neil has done.
“They’ve gone back to being difficult to beat, getting back into their shape quickly and working hard for each other.
“We’ll have to match that, but we haven’t been found wanting so far this season. The most important thing is that we play our own game.”
The game will see a first return to New York for Kieran Agard, who was a key figure in the Millers' rise from League Two to the Championship.
And the Robins boss is pinning his hopes on the 26-year-old doing what he did best in South Yorkshire - score goals.
The game will see a first return to New York for Kieran Agard, who was a key figure in the Millers' rise from League Two to the Championship.
And the Robins boss is pinning his hopes on the 26-year-old doing what he did best in South Yorkshire - score goals.
"Kieran was very popular up there and I think people were surprised that they let him go in the end,” Cotterill added.
“He said the right things when he left which is no surprise because he’s a really good boy, and hopefully he can go up there in familiar surroundings and carry on his scoring vein.”
