FM17: Rotherham United - To be the best team in Yorkshire

[SpillBlood]

Intro

From Warnock leaving at the end of the 2016/2017 we've had a squad overhaul by new manager Alan Stubbs.  After 13 games and only collecting 6 points.  Alan Stubbs was sacked.  My aim is to do better than both and try and push Rotherham to be the best side in Yorkshire.

Database

It's currently beta and I'd like to find alot of new faces.  Some diamonds in the rough so my database size is 168k.  I've played half a season so far and had no problems with speed.  It's actually been quiet smooth.  I shall be uploading goals to my YouTube and hopefully streaming this on Twitch.

 

Season one aim

 

Media prediction has us finishing 22nd.  Can we do better?

 

[SpillBlood]

My team

Goalkeepers

First choice: Lee Camp - Will be solid for this season and if he keeps it up I don't see a reason knock to keep him on a year.  Quality player.  Backup: Lewis Price - Brought in on a free to cover camp.  Actually doesn't look the worst player on Football Manager.  Is a capable backup.

Defenders - Should be a stronger defense then in real life.  Some of them have some decent stats and I'll be hoping that we don't concede anywhere near the same.

Right back: We have three choices.  Halford, Kelly or Fisher.  Halford can play CB.  Kelly has experience and Fisher is a new face being bought from Celtic.  I want to play Fisher and push his potential.  It's all down to who can make the spot their own.

Center backs: We have a few! Broadfoot, Fry, Wood, Ball, Wilson and Belaid.  Wilson has just signed on a free, Ball was bought in from Tottenham and Fry is on loan from Middlesborough.  I'll be looking at setting up a Broadfoot - Fry partnership.  If not then I'll put Wilson in for Broadfoot.

Left back: Mattock and Belaid.  Belaid starts injured so getting in cover is a must.  Personally I've brought in Jay Dasilva from Chelsea in on loan to cover for Mattock.

Midfield - The place where Stubbs brought in most reinforcements.  Some of them do look good, we just lack on the left side of midfield

Center: There's a few to choose from! Adeyemi on loan from Cardiff.  Forster-Caskey on loan from Brighton. Allan who is on loan from Celtic.  Vaulks who has just been bought and then Newell and Frecklington who were already at the club.  Adeyemi is the starting holding midfielder with Halford and Ball being able to cover.  Personally Newell and Frecklington will be starting for me with Vaulks rotating in if any are unable to play.

Wide players: Two new signings make up the right side of midfield.  Taylor and Forde.  Taylor will be your starting right winger.  On the left we have Newell, Izzy Brown and Danny Ward.  Izzy is better at AML and Danny is better as a striker.  We needed another player so I've brought in Gregory Nelson who can play on either flank.  Does look quite a good coup for Rotherham.

Strikers - we still need some!

A position that was never filled during the summer window.  We have Danny Ward and Dexter Blackstock.  Izzy Brown can play uptop but Danny Ward will be your starter with Blackstock covering.  If you plan to ever play with 2 uptop.  You will need to sign another striker.

 

The tactic

 

 

It's had some changes and this is how I've ended up.  You'll see how different my results were before I changed.  I was bottom of the table on 6 points after 11 games.  Now I'm 28 points after 24 games.  That's a bit of a swing!

 

[SpillBlood]

The story so far

I didn't write anything up yesterday.  I did a half season rush so this won't be as detailed as the rest of the season. 

As you can see my pre-season went well enough until I hit lower league English teams.  We had shots, we just couldn't put them on target.   I thought we'd start of alright, how was I wrong.

vs Wolves was an even game.  We'd both hit the woodwork and came out with a draw, I was happy about that.  The cup game vs Oldham, I played a few "backups" but didn't think we'd lose then it went down from there.  The only win in the first 10 games was when Blackstock came on and hit a late goal vs Bristol City when I switched us to a 4 - 4 - 2.  It went worse though.  We didn't have any possession.  We didn't close down and the midfield were just static.  I was getting stressed watching some good players be so damn useful.  So what do they always same when you're failing at Football Manager?  It's your tactics!  So I changed to the one I posted above for the game vs Biringham on the 18/10 and look how our lucked changed!  2 goals conceded in 6 games!  Wilson and Fry were rocks.  The wide players were getting involved including Izzy getting a hat-trick vs Reading!

Best goals of the bunch:

Beating Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday was the best of the bunch. 

Table so far

There's a chance I still could go down but if we keep playing the way we are, I don't see why we would.  Brentford were top at one point aswell.  Shows how easy it is changing.  Preston were fishing in the play offs.  It's been interesting so far!

So come January our strength and weaknessers and our stats:

 

One of the clubs problems.  We're only in January and here's our bank balance.

There will be no ins and outs in January and it'll be a plan to push on.  Updates will be done monthly and written about game per game.  Thanks for reading so far!

[BoxToBox]

Good work so far!

[Bedese]

Going pretty well so far. Any chance you want to send your CV in for the real job?

[BAFC]

Nice job so far, solid start .

[SpillBlood]

January

Away - Leeds United
Pre-match We beat them thanks to Newell wonder goal last time.  If we get a draw I'll be happy.  We have some unfit players and some tired due to the Burton game two days before!
First half First 25 minutes haven't been anything to write home about.  Neither side passing well.  A deflection sets up Nelson on the left side of the box and somehow he smashes it well wide!  Wait it's a goal!  25:49!  Izzy it tackled the ball falls to Nelson.  He smashes low and hard from the edge of the box and it flies in the bottom corner.  It's 1 - 0 Rotherham!  That should of been 1 - 1.
Hadcki Sacko just took the rip out of the Rotherham defence, skinning 2 players but his shot was woeful and flies over.  He only had to place it!  Half time whistle goes and Rotherham lead! Scrappy game but I'll take it.  Encourage the lads for the second half.
Second half Leeds go close just after the break.  Mattock doesn't defend well and a cross is able to come in.  It's cleared but Mattock can't get to the ball and hoofed back in.  Meadows heads it but it's tame and straight into Camps gloves.  It's 2 - 0 Rotherham in 65th minute!  Vaulks send a long throw into the box.  Taylor knocks it and Broadfoot smashes it into the back of the net!  He's only on due to Wilson being knackered but he's showing why he has the armband today!  59th minute and it's 2 - 1!  Under no pressure Fisher hoofs the ball up field.  Bridcutt cuts it out and passes to Grimes.  Grimes passes through to Meadows who has the best of the defenders and slots home.  30 minutes left and subs time!
Using all 3.  Blackstock on for Brown.  Frecklington on for Adeyemi with Vaulks going DM and Broadfoot going RB as Wilson comes on for Fisher.  It's full time!
Post-match Best game Nelson has had in a Rotherham shirt.  It's like he knew I was writing about him!  Broadfoot and Fry were class.  Really happy with that display.

January 3rd and this comes in :cool:.

Transfer outs - Dasilva wants his loan cutting from lack of playing team.  He didn't really did anything and Belaid is back so I agreed to it.  Ross County have come in for Ball who isn't seeing any of it so best thing to do is let him to go play.

Away - Millwall - Fa Cup 3rd Round
Pre-match A win would be nice.  Blackstock starts uptop.  Can he push for a Championship starting stop?  Ward is still injured but I've been playing Brown instead.
First half Belaid gets himself booked 2 minutes into the game.  I don't like that.  First 30 minutes have been so scrappy.  We haven't had a shot on target! 36th minute it's 1 - 0 to Millwall.  Broadfoot heads the ball straight to the wide player, a couple of passes plays in Gregory with both CBs out of position and he knocks it in.  That was so poor.  Camp makes a good save to deny it being 2 - 0 just before the end of the half.  Defense was sleeping.  Absolutely need to change this at half time.  Going 4 - 4 - 2 with Yates coming on for Broadfoot.
Second half Such a scrappy game.  Izzy is coming on for Taylor and Fry is coming on for Halford in the 65th minute and I'm going to try play quick attacking football. That's going to be different. We go close in the 68th minute!  Corner comes in, it's flicked on and Yates tried to head it in but Archer catches it.  Game thinks he should of scored.  Yates wasn't in a good enough position to be scoring imo.  Newell goes off injured in the 92nd minute.  So close in the 93rd!  Browns cross is fumbled and hits the post!  Looks so close but that's full time.
Post-match Not happy with that.  The "backup" squad really isn't showing they want to be first teamers.  I've lost Newell for 2 months, damn.

I need to find a striker.  I can't see us staying up if Ward is our only option.  Izzy is better on the wing and I'd rather have him there as Taylor is out of form.  I'm searching for a senior affilliate to try help with this as wages are a problem.

Home - Norwich City
Pre-match Let's not get hammered and I'll be happy.
Firt half 15 seconds in and Rotherham are 1 - 0 up!!! From the kick off Norwich past backwards and try and play lofted through balls. Twice Ademeyi cuts them out. The second time the ball lands to Frecks who plays through Taylor but he gets tackled.  The ball rolls through to Brown who slots in!  15th minute and it's 2 - 0 Rotherham!  Adeyemi wins the ball from the Norwich goalkick.  From this we pass down the right and a ball gets crossed in.  It's not dealt with properly and Brown plays it back to Taylor who knocks in!  So close!  Vaulks takes a freekick just outside the box and damn I thought it was in.  It's red!  A second yellow card and Fisher is off.  I was waiting for half time but that's his 3rd this season!  Halford comes on for Nelson and Forster-Caskey on for Adeyemi due to him being booked. 60 minutes with 10 men, this is going to be hard.  Half time whistle goes!
Second half It's 3 - 0!!! 49th minute.  Halford long throw!  Fry flicks it on and Wilson managers to beat Olsson to knock the ball in at the back post. Close!  It's a midfield battle and we come out on top.  Brown shows some skill and takes on his man, his shot is saved though. 60th minute and it's all Rotherham!  4 - 0! Taylors freekick on the edge of the box is headed in by Fry! 65th minute and 3rd sub used.  Mattock on for Belaid as he's been booked. It's 5! 5 - 0!  Brown is running with the ball and Howsons tackle sets up Taylor as Klose is switched off and he slots low!  It's red!  Howson is sent off in the 77th minute for a second yellow after he fouls Frecks!  It's 5 - 1!  85th minute and Canos runs down the right, takes on Mattock, takes on Fry and crosses low where Naimsmith hits in.  Great run from Canos.  Full time.
Post-match WHAT. A. RESULT.  We were amazing, especially with 10 men!  I removed wingers and play with 2 uptop and normal midfield.  It really worked!  It was Martin Caceres' debut for Norwich.  Between him and Klose they were terrible at the back!

We couldn't find a senior affliate but we found a feeder in Cliftonville.  Better than nothing.  Ashley Fletcher has come up as a loan that requires no fee and no wage!  Will try and snatch him!

Away - Newcastle United
Pre-match Same again, let's not get hammered and I'll be happy.
First half So close!  Vaulks wins the ball and it's played to Brown.  He dribbles down past two and unleashes where Darlow has to make a good save to stop.  It's 1 - 0 to Newcastle in the 33rd minute.  Halford gets skinned and they're able to play the ball around the box.  Gamez centers and Aarons hits in at the back post.  Nelson cuts in and takes past one and fires one and Darlow has to pull off a great save to stop it going into the top corner!  Half time, happy with the display so far.
Second half Close again.  Belaid wins it back and plays it to Brown down the left.  He cuts in and shoots.  Darlow has to get down and low to deny.  So close!  Frecks get tackled by Anita and Newcastle counter.  A shot goes off and cannons off a Rotherham player and Fry is able to clear as it's going slowly across the goalmouth.  25 minutes to go and going to drop wingers and see how it pays off. 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 is my formation for the rest of the game.  It's 2 - 0 and goes down to a Fry own goal.  Corner comes in and it's flicked on.  Mitrovic chests it and hits it.  It ping pong balls into the net but it came off Fry last.  That's full time.  
Post-match  Very close game and I cannot fault the lads.  We had more possesion, shots, same on target we just lacked the cutting edge.  Really happy with the display though.

Home - Barnsley
Pre-match They're 22nd and this is a match we need to win.
First half Close!  Hourihane whips in a freekick and it's former Miller Aidy White on the end of it.  Camp managers to catch it!  Close for Rotherham!  We hit the post from a freak cross.  Post again!  Nelson crosses and Adeyemi hits the post.  Great save!  Bit of a ping pong in the Barnsley box and Taylor recieves the ball, turns and hits it.  Adam Davies is able to get down and deny.  Winnall takes the ball down from a ball over the top but his shot is a bad one where he should of got it on target.  Half time and it's been mostly Rotherham.  We should win this!
Second half Nothing has happened and with 20 minutes left I've brought on Blackstock, Yates and Halford to play uptop with Brown, Taylor and Nelson making way.  We can do it!  Final whistle goes.
Post-match Winnall should of possibly scored but we still should of won that one.  The front three never really turned up.

Transfer in - Ashley Fletcher joins us for the rest of the season.  That's a coup!

Away - Nottingham Forest
Pre-match They're doing well, a draw would be a good result.  Fletcher goes striaght into the first team with Izzy and Taylor on the wings.
First half We're had possession but we're not doing anything with.  It's 1 - 0 to Forest.  A long throw into the box is headed on and Hobbs knocks in at the back post.  2 - 0 Forest.  Kelly is asleep and Ojo takes is down the left and crosses in to Vellios.  Shocking so far. Going to try getting the balls down the flanks.
Second half Forster-Caskey comes on for Frecks in the 65th minute.  Nearly 3 - 0! Corner comes in and flicked on but Kelly clears off the line.  20 minutes left and going to pump ball into the box.  Vaulks plays a sweet ball over the top to Fletcher but he knocks wide.  Full time.
Post-match That was a poor game for us.  We scored 5 and then haven't scored in 3 games.

Transfer window is over.  We brought in Fletcher.  Let Dasilva go back and loaned out Yates and Ball.  Should be enough for us to stay up.  We are currently 15th with 35 points after 29 games.  8 points above the drop.

 

Edit: It's 1st of Feb and they still haven't offered me a contract.  Might be a bug.

[deltablue]

Epic win over Norwich.

[BoxToBox]

7 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

Edit: It's 1st of Feb and they still haven't offered me a contract.  Might be a bug.

Try asking for it yourself, see what happens.

[SpillBlood]

3 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Try asking for it yourself, see what happens.

Did it after I posted and got a new 2 year contract :).  Might have to bring it up in the bug forums when I get home.  Not going to be another update 'til Sunday due to work, sad times.

[BoxToBox]

Smashing, well deserved.

[Keano16]

Great win over Norwich!

[SpillBlood]

February

Had to ask this time but my extension is happening.

Away - Bristol City
Pre-match 14th v 15th.  I'd like to win this one for sure.  No changes from the Forest game.  Just a kick up the arse.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Bristol City in the 19th minute.  It's all to easy as they pass round and into the box.  Gooch passes to Tomlin and all he has to do is knock it in.  Half time and we've perhaps the better side but we're not making it count.  Vaulks has a knock so on comes Forster-Caskey.
Second half Brown cuts in and makes a great run but his shot is just over.  A freekick from just outside the area and Forster-Caskey hits it over.  Just need that cutting edge.  Great ball from Taylor sets up Fletcher but Fielding makes a great save.  Close again.  Corner is flicked on and Wilson heads at goal but Fielding catches.  20 minutes left, Nelson and Blackstock on for Fletcher and Brown.  It's 1 - 1 in the 82nd minute!  Forster-Caskey plays through Taylor but Fielding saves.  It falls to the path of Nelson who slots in.  That's a deserved goal we've battered them in the second half.  Full time!
Post-match Honestly we should of won that.  We were the better team throughout.

Home - Blackburn Rovers
Pre-match Ward is back and goes straight uptop, Nelson goes to the left.  Brown and Fletcher on bench.  Blackstock dropped. Forster-Caskey starts and Vaulks goes to the bench.  Updated with injury.  Adeyemi is out for 5 - 7 weeks and Halford goes DM. They're 23rd and their highest form player has 6.72 over the season, 256th in the league.  We should be winning this!
First half So close!  It's ping pong in the box and Fry knocks it just wide.  Close at the other end!  A cross comes in, beats Camp and hits the bacj post!  We clear off the line!  Conway goes for a long shot and Camp has to be equal! Blackburn are not looking like a team who are 23rd!  So close!  Defense splitting pace and Ward is through, for some reason slows it down so his shot it blocked and Blackburn hack it off the line!  Half time, even game.
Second half First 5 minutes is all Blackburn as we're gifting them the ball.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham though!  Taylor crosses and Ward hits it in as he's ran clear of his marker in the 50th minute! 60th minute and Vaulks and Izzy on.  Halford and Nelson off.  Allan is back from injury and replaces Forster-Caskey for the last 10 minutes.  Full time!  3 points is 3 points.
Post-match Too close for comfort that!  Blackburn really are struggling in the league but they really didn't play bad at all and on another day could of won.

Home - Huddersfield Town
Pre-match Tuesday night game so rotation needed.  Fry and Belaid get a much needed rest.  With the injuries Richard Wood is getting a rare game.  Allan comes in to rest Frecklington.
First half Penalty!  Mooy fouls Allan just inside the box.  I do agree with the Huddersfield fans on this, that is harsh!  Forster-Caskey steps up and slots down the middle!  1 - 0 Rotherham.  We're playing well and having alot of the possession but I'd like another goal.  Wow!  Scannell gets played in and hits well wide!  Should of been 1 - 1.  It's 2 - 0! Forster-Caskey plays in Brown on the right and he hits it in the top corner! Another chance for Huddersfield.  The ball drops kindly but Schindler knocks it well wide!  Wood is booked so Fry comes on.  We're playing well, especially Forster-Caskey!
Second half Fletcher should of scored!  Huddersfield mess up at the back and Fletcher steals the ball.  He gets into the box and shoots straight at Ward!  He's not looking great in a Millers shirt, I have to admit.  30 minutes left and Belaid comes on for the booked Mattock and Blackstock comes on for Fletcher.  It's 3 - 0!  Nice Rotherham team goal. Allan chips a ball up to Nelson.  He takes down and does his marker.  He centers the ball to Blackstock who pokes in.  3 - 1!  Ball played down the left to Booty and he crosses in where Scannell gets free of his marker and heads in after 71 minutes.  Full time!
Post-match Never expected a win, really happy with that.  It was the Forster-Caskey show.  Our home form is a good one.

Away - Cardiff City
Pre-match Belaid and Fry are restored to the starting lineup.  Ward starts uptop with Blackstock and Fletcher on the bench.  Brown and Nelson on the wings.  I'd like to get a draw here, a win would be amazing.
First half 7 minutes in and it's 1 - 0 to Cardiff.  Richards runs down the right and crosses in where Noone is free down the left to hit in.  How did he miss!? Nelson does brilliant, takes on his man and slips a ball through to Ward.  He somehow hits the post!  Nearly 2 - 0.  Zohone wins the aerial battle but his effort hits the bar!  Hair-dryer time, we've been poor.
Second half 30 minutes left and I'm going 4 - 4 - 2.  Fletcher, Blackstock and Frecks on.  Vaulks, Allan and Ward off.  Full time.
Post-match Dull game.  Poor game.  AWOL attack/midfield.  Got to let them know I'm not happy with that display.  Fans that have travelled down to South Wales for that.

I've triggered Newells contract clause so he's with us for another year.  We're missing that lad in midfield.  Another week or so and he should be back.

Injury!  Blackstock it out for 2 - 3 months!  Good job Fletcher came in!

Away - Brentford
Pre-match Taylor and Frecklington restored.  Going to try something different.  Ward on the left, Taylor on the right and Fletcher upfront.  I really want Fletcher to become good.  Fisher is starting at RB.  I'd like him to make that role his own but he just seems to keep getting booked.
First half So close!  We pass really well, waiting for an opening.  Ward cuts in and sets up Taylor but his shot is saved. It's a goal!  1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 13th minute. A neat one-two with Frecklington lets Ward free down the left.  Ball is crossed in to Fletcher but Barbet cuts out.. straight into his own net!  So close.  An FM favourite of my Duelund takes a freekick just outside the box, I thought it was in for a second!  Half time.
Second half 30 minutes left and the attack is a bit stale.  Izzy and Nelson come on for Taylor and Fletcher with Ward going uptop.  It's 1 - 1.  Judge takes the corner, Duelund flicks in and Dean nods in after 65 minutes.  Allan is coming on to replace Vaulks and we're going to make a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 formation.  Should of made it 2 to Rotherham.  Nelsons low cross to Brown should of been an easy goal but it's straight at the keeper.  Oh come on.  It's 2 - 1 Brentford.  You'll never see as bad of a pass as that.  Under no pressure with midfielders round him, Frecklington tries to pass it back about 60 yards to Camp but his pass just sets up Hofmann to make it 2 - 1. 10 minutes left and going attacking.  Jeez.  3 - 1 to Brentford.  Cross comes in and Fry heads it back to Colin.  Judge crosses and Kaikai heads in.  We've gifted them two goals when we should of gone ahead.  Full time.
Post-match I'd of been happy with a draw but we threw that game away.  Went mental at the lads.

March

Home - Aston Villa
Pre-match If we don't get hammered, I'll be happy.  Halford is going DM as Vaulks isn't performing there.  Brown uptop with Nelson and Taylor on the wings.  Newell makes the bench.  Frecklington and Forster-Caskey switch roles.
First half Should be 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Good move lets Forster-Caskey free but he hits it well wide.  It's half time and it's all Rotherham.  We just need the cutting edge.
Second half It is 1 - 0!  Fisher crosses in and Brown gets across to knock it in after 56 minutes.  2 - 0!  Forster-Caskey crossees from the left and Taylor rises to nod in the 62nd minute.  66th minute and it's 2 - 1!  Grealish puts in the corner, Jedinak nods towards goal and Chester hits in.  3 subs.  Newell, Allan and Ward on.  Halford, Frecklington and Nelson off.  Full time!
Post-match Now that's better.  We're alot better at home then we are away and we showed that with a very good display and win vs the league leaders.

Home - Brighton and Hove Albion
Pre-match Forster-Caskey can't play against his parent club.  Newell picked up a knock but Vaulks is ready to play.  Tuesday night game, any points will be a plus.
First half 1 - 0 to Rotherham after 5 minutes!  Great counter and Nelson runs down the left and plays through Brown.  Brown slots in the corner to take the lead.  2 - 0!  10 minutes in and Frecklington plays a sweet ball through to Brown who takes it on and hits in!  Should be 2 - 1! Lucas Joao is free on the left but somehow hits it wide.  It is 2 - 1 after 15 minutes. Skalak corner, Dunk nods on and Baldock nods in.  Could of been 2 - 2 but Camp makes a great save to deny Baldock.  Another great save from Camp to deny Baldock as Camp tips on the bar.  Brighton are pushing and we're struggling.  Half time!
Second half A Brighton freekick, ball whipped in and falls kindly to Joao but his shot is tame and into Camps hands.  I was about to make 3 subs but it's 3 - 1! All the players made the goal.  Vaulks to Nelson, Nelson sets up Taylor and Taylor hits in! 15 minutes left, Kelly, Wood and Allan on.  Fry, Vaulks and Fisher off.  The defenders have yellow cards and I have that extra goal so I feel like I have a cushion.  Before the subs go in.. it's 3 - 2!  March crosses and Murray hits in.  This is a horrible game! Penalty! Frecklington is fouled and ref points to spot!  Nelson steps up and smashes it into the top corner, the keeper wasn't getting anywhere near that! 81st minute and 4 - 2.  4 - 3!  Good move from Brighton and Murray nods on to set up March who slots in after 84 minutes.  Full time!
Post-match What a game for the neutrals!  Not for me! ^_^.  Good win though, very good.

Away - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-match Only change from the Brighton game is Forster-Caskey back in for Vaulks. A point would be nice.  Being away will make it a struggle.
First half Wolves should be 1 - 0 up.  Great defense splitting pass to Enobakhare but somehow he smashes it wide.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  22nd minute.  Nelson passes to Brown.  He holds the ball up and plays in Frecklington who shoots low from just outside the area into the bottom corner.  Should be 1 - 1!  Brilliant Wolves move deserved a goal, but the shot was tame.  Again should be 1 - 1.  Taylor loses the ball and Wolves counter.  They get themselves in a good position but somehow shoot wide!  It's half time and we're lucky to be leading.
Second half 47th minute 1 - 1.  Throw in, played back.  Iorfa crosses and Hause heads in.  30 minutes left.  Broadfoot on for Fry and Ward on for Nelson. Going to switch Ward and Brown.  Good team move from Rotherham ends up with Brown having a very bad shot.  He may aswell of passed it to the Wolves keeper.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Freekick from Forster-Caskey pinged over to Fisher.  Fisher centers low and Ward hits in!  Lonergan got a hand to it but wasn't enough.  It's 2 - 2.  Fisher gets caught out and Wolves counter.  Hause crosses and Helder Costa hits in.  10 minutes left going to bring on Fletcher for Taylor who's had another quiet game.  Brown and Ward on wings.  He should of scored!  Long throw in, Wilson controls and passes to Broadfoot. He waits and plays in Fletcher but Fletcher somehow messed up the shot and straight to Lonergan!  Full time.
Post-match Happy with a draw for sure but Fletcher could of won that game for us.

Away - Queens Park Rangers
Pre-match Halford goes to the bench and Vaulks is going DM.  Ward uptop and Izzy is going on the right.  Taylor has to be dropped he's out of form.  Going to give Belaid a rest and give Mattock a game.  Belaid has made the LB spot his own since his return.  Any point will do.  QPR are second and Sebastian Polter is the top scorer of the dvision.
First half That's a close one!  Good passing from QPR and Chery unleashes one.  Camp manages to get a hand to it.  That had some power behind it!  1 - 0 QPR.  Chery whps in the freekick and my 5'9 winger is trying to defend vs their 6'4 CB.  So Hall wins the aerial battle and nods it in.  Penalty!  We whip in a freekick and Sandro fouls Izzy! Forster-Caskey steps up and.. it's saved!  Half time.  We're not doing too bad considering the first 25 minutes it was all QPR.  Give the lads an encouragement.
Second half Strange pass into the back of Wilsons legs by Fry sets up Poltier but he hits well wide.  Going to go 4 - 4 - 2 for 25 minutes. Allan and Fletcher on, Vaulks and Forster-Caskey off.  It's 1 - 1 in the 73rd minute!  Fletcher scores!! Good passing from Brown and Allan.  Ward plays it through and Fletcher hits in!  Ohhh it's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Allan plays a great ball over to Izzy.  Izzy crosses and Nelson is at the back post to hit in! 74th minute!  Meh what was that it's 2 - 2.  Perch miss hits his cross so Camp has to get down to stop.  He can only get a fingertip to it and Yeni Ngbakoto is there waiting to knock in after 83 mins.  Can any team get a winner?  Good team move from us in the 88th minute but Fletchers shot is saved.  It's full time!
Post-match Really happy with a point.  We were close to winning away from home and coming from behind makes it all better.  It's been a very good month and we're sat in 13th!

 

We won an award!  Go on Izzy!

[Bedese]

13th? Very impressive  

[SpillBlood]

April

We've lost Ward :(.  He's out for 5 - 6 weeks. That's a huge blow. Can Fletcher step up?  Clarke-Harris is back aswell so we've got two fit strikers + Izzy who can play there.

He's signed!  Just need him to come back from loan now :D.

Home - Fulham
Pre-match Adeyemi is back!  He's going straight into the DM slot.  Fulham are in 6th, this will be a hard game.  For this one I'm going to put Brown upfront and Taylor on the right.
First half How did he miss!?  Corner comes in, Fry hits the bar.  Ball drops lovely to Wilson and he hits wide!  That's close!  Forster-Caskey takes a long shot, Button saves the the ball is still under him.  Was hoping he was gonna knock it it :D.  Half time!
Second half So close!  Madi isn't marked and free in the midfield.  He gets layed off and smashes a long shot. It beats Camp but no the post.  30 minutes left.  Fletcher and Vaulks on, Taylor and Adeyemi off.  Brown goes RW.  10 minutes left and Clarke-Harris is coming on for Nelson.  3 Strikers, no wingers.  Can we get a goal? Full time!
Post-match That was poor from both teams really.  I'm happy with a draw though.

Home - Sheffield Wednesday
Pre-match Has to be a win.  Tuesday night game.  Going to let Fletcher start this and drop Taylor.  Newell starts as Frecklington is way too tired for this and he goes to the bench.  Glad to see Newell back and fit!
First half Abdi makes a huge mistake and Fletcher steals the ball.  He runs down and hits the post!  He's able to follow it up and put us 1 - 0 up in the 29th minute!  Should of been 2.  Fletcher does brilliant down the left and crosses for Izzy.  Somehow Izzy heads over!  It's in!  Just.  Belaid crosses for Izzy and his headed effort his the bar!  It bounces down and in! 2 - 0 to Rotherham in the 43rd minute!  Half time.  "drab match" is says.  It's brilliant for me!
Second half 3 - 0!!! Fry of all people makes a brilliant defense splitting pass.  Fletcher takes and hits in! 51st minute. Oof, Brown goes close and it was nearly 4!  It's 3 - 1!  Freekick on the edge of the area, Sheff Weds pass it around and make a gap.  Lee is played in and smashes of the bar and in after 57 minutes.  20 mins left Frecks comes on for Newell and Taylor comes on for Nelson with Izzy going on the left.  It's 3 - 2!  Poor clearence lets Sheff Weds cross the ball again.  Reach crosses and Emanuelson heads in!  We've been the better side lads, do not throw it away!  It's a goal!  4 - 2!  Taylors corner is headed in by Tom Lees!  Own goal in the 81st minute! 85th minute and it's 4 - 3!  Jones' corner is headed in by Loovens.  It's Hoopers goal as he stole it on the line!  5 minutes, can we keep the lead?  We can do better, it's 5 - 3!  Good passing from Rotherham. Forster-Caskey plays a quality ball to Brown who crosses and Taylor heads in!  Full time!
Post-match What a game!  Going so far ahead to nearly throwing it away!  Great for the neutrals and for Miller fans!

I had to keep him.  Fan of Danny Ward!

Away - Wigan Atheltic
Pre-match They're 24th.  They've got -40 GD.  Lost 25 of 40 games.  But we're playing away so I'm not confident :D.
First half Camp!  Save!  Corner comes in,  Le Fondre nods it back in and Reece Burke is there to hit it.  Camp dives straight on it to deny.  That was brilliant.  Wilson misses his header and thanks to Camp it stays 0 - 0 as he denies Grigg.  We're struggling!  Half time.  Going to bring Taylor on for Adeyemi and go 4 - 4 - 2.
Second half 39 seconds into the second half and it's 1 -0 to Rotherham.  Good passing and Forster-Caskey plays Fletcher in who slots low!  2 - 0 52nd minute. Good passing and great ball from Forster-Caskey to Brown.  Brown plays in Fletcher who drills in the top corner.  How did he miss!?  Quality passing, Fletcher played in and that should of easily been his hat-trick! 15 minutes left.  Clarke-Harris comes on for Nelson and Newell on for Frecks.  Taylors cross hits the post but no one to get on the end of it.  It's 3 - 0 in the 79th minute!  Taylor heads in Frys freekick.  4 - 0!  Quality cross from Forster-Caskey, it dips lovely for Clarke-Harris who volleys it with sheer power in the 84th minute.  Grigg hits the post!  He should of scored.  Full time.
Post-match We were brilliant in the second half!  If Wigan play like that... no wonder they're bottom.  They were terrible in the second half.  No creativity just hoof ball to the strikers that Fry and Wilson had covered.

Home - Birmingham City
Pre-match They're 22nd and we're at home.  I expect 3 points.
First half It's all Rotherham but Birmingham go 1 - 0 up.  Camp fumbles a freekick, Morrison centers and Maghoma hits in.  It's 1 - 1 in the 35th minute.  Brown makes an amazing run down the right, centers, no one really gets to it but Nelson is able to just get a touch for it to go in.  36th minute and it's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Fry hits Forster-Caskeys freekick.  Half time.  Mattock is coming on for Belaid.
Second half  30 minutes to go.  Taylor comes on for Fletcher and Newell for Frecks.  Nelson plays in Brown and it's a tight angle but Brown shoots and hits way wide.  He hade more time there and could of even put it in the middle.  Maghoma should of scored really.  Played through but his effort it very time and it's full time!
Post-match After Camps mistake I'm really happy that we managed to win.  We had shots, just not on target.  Was a hard game.

Away - Reading
Pre-match Massive squad rotation as this is a Monday game where Brummy was a Friday night.  I'd be happy with a point.
First half It's 1 - 0 Reading in 6 minutes.  McClearly heads in James' freekick.  Should be 2 - 0 but Rakels is offside!  Kelly clears off the line and we're getting hammered here.  Mattock is injured now aswell.  Fletcher comes on for him.  We go 4 - 4 - 2 and Kelly goes LB.  Half time, we have to play better.
Second half Camp makes another mistake.  Fosu crosses, Quinn heads and it's straight to Camp but somehow he spills it into his net. 40 minutes left but last two subs.  Belaid on for Halford and Forster-Caskey on for Vaulks.  Lovely play from Rotherham but Allan should of scored!  So close!  We counter and Clarke-Harris meets Belaids cross but it's the bar!  We're playing so much better, we might find a way back here.  It's 2 - 1 in the 64th minute.  Fletcher plays through Clarke-Harris and he slots low past Bond.  Should be 2 - 2!  The balls played back in to Clarke-Harris who has a free header but he heads over.
Post-match We played much better in the second half and I needed to rotate the squad but we didn't take our chances and that's dissappointing.

Home - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Back to my first team squad.  Ipswich are 18th and we're at home.  I want a win.  Just found out Dael Fry is 3rd for avg. rating over the season, quality.
First half That was asking for a goal!  Fletcher makes a great run and shoots, his shot is wide but Brown looks like he could of got onto the end of it!  A chip to Frecks and he should of scored.  Fletcher does brilliant but his shot is saved.  We're doing so well we just need a goal.  It's 1 - 0 to Ipswich though.  Webster heads in Bishops corner. It's 2 - 0 to Ipswich!  Bishop plays in Pitman and he drills home.  It's a penalty to Rotherham!  Bishop fouls Fry in the box.  Forster-Caskeys penalty is saved again!  Half time.
Second half 30 minutes left and going 4 - 4 - 2 with 3 subs.  Boring half.  It's full time.
Post-match We were shocking after we conceded.  Can't say much else.

Away - Preston North End
Pre-match Taylor and Newell starting.  Fletcher and Forster-Caskey on the bench.
First half 1 - 0 to PNE.  Newell and Fisher don't tackle Johnson well, he crosses and Doyle scores.  Half time.  Going 4 - 4 - 2.
Second half Nelson comes off for Clarke-Harris in the 60th minute.  Kelly on Fisher in the 70th minute.  I can't see us scoring!  Should of been 2 - 0.  Baptiste plays a quality ball up Doyle hits wide.  Penalty to Rotherham! Taylor is fouled by McGeady.  It's saved!  I can't score pens at all!  Full time.
Post-match Awful.  We're playing shocking all of a sudden.

G'wan lads!

May

Home - Derby County
Pre-match Just want a good display after our last three games.
First half Butterfield should of made it 1 - 0 to Derby but he hits wide! Boring first half.  Has to get better.
Second half 1 - 0 to Derby.  Frecklington wins the ball and loses it straight away.  Cross goes in and Wilson finishes.  30 minutes left and going 4 - 4 - 2.  Brown and Nelson on for Frecklington and Ward.  Russell should of made it 2 but his shot is tame and at Camp.  Full time.
Post-match Poor game to end the season.  

Final Table:

Season summary

To finish 16th I'm really happy about.  We have some key players and alot of deadwood.  The squad honestly needs a huge overhaul and we have no money so it's going to be very difficult.  

[johnstonpickle]

16th is solid stuff! Hard to maintain a positive cash flow isn't it.. maybe sell a crown jewel or two in order to bring a few in?

[BoxToBox]

Good season to build on, hopefully the summer is good to you.

[SpillBlood]

3 hours ago, johnstonpickle said:

16th is solid stuff! Hard to maintain a positive cash flow isn't it.. maybe sell a crown jewel or two in order to bring a few in?

I've sold one player and not the player I thought people were going to be after.  We got a cash injection from TS at the end and then given £5mil a week later so the balance is looking quite good.

22 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Good season to build on, hopefully the summer is good to you.

The summer has been strange.  There's usually more frees I feel after the first window but alot of changes have happened.  I have alot of younger players in to try and build a team to get into the Prem.  Only Smallwood is above 8k and iirc only Ward is above 7.  I've trimmed the wage budget due to some silly wages on players E.G Halford on 8k.  Camp wanted 11k to re-sign, I replaced him with a goalkeeper on 4.5k p/w.  I'll post an update soon.  I'm still trying to figure out if I need another CB and ST.  ST I probably do.  I've got a few in to try and push their potential.

[SpillBlood]

Season two

The aim here is to build us up to be a mid-table team so we can push on from there.  We're tipped to finish 22nd which I think is way off the mark.  It's up to me that we prove the bookies wrong.

 

My team

 

Transfers

 

As you can see I've changed the squad.  There's alot of youth in the team that even my first interview of the season has pointed on but we need to stop bringing in the journeymen and a build a team that can push up into the premier league.

 

Goalkeepers

In:
Ben Garratt - Signed for 83k from Crewe.  He did well in League 2 with 41 conceded in 44 games with 15 clean sheets.  Maybe the Championship is a bit step up for the 23 year old but I feel he's ready and we can get him experience to improve.

David Forde - Youth coach and backup goalkeeper.  Has experience to be used if need be.

Billy O'Brien - A young goalkeeper that was released from Manchester CIty.  He's not on the list above but we're in contract talks.  He's being signed for a year to sit in the U23s.

Out:

Lee Camp - Campy wanted 11k a week to stay.  It wasn't happening.

Lewis Price - Never got a look in, wasn't happy and was effecting morale.

 

Defenders

In:

Jack Baldwin - Buzzing at this.  Only 24 years old and joins Newell and Taylor as a player Rotherham have signed from Peterborough.  Plan is to make Baldwin and Ball my main CBs.  Feel he'll be around for a few years.

Stephen Hendrie - West Ham signed him for £1million but never got a look in.  He's only 22 and still has potential.  He'll be my starting LB and hopefully the match experience will kickstart his career.

Jason McCarthy - Signed as a backup.  Interested to see how he does.  He will get game time and still has toom to improve.

Donald Love - Signed on a year long loan to play backup to Fisher.

Out:

Stephen Kelly - 3rd choice RB and it wasn't needed.

Kirk Broadfoot - Declining, wasn't great last season, wasn't needed.

Kelvin Wilson - See I liked Wilson, he played well.  But he wanted 8k a week and I said no thanks.  Then he wanted 10k a week so I let him go.

Greg Halford - 8k a week for a backup player, wasn't needed.

Richard Wood - Past it.

Tom Thorpe - He did well at Bolton when he actually played but I didn't feel his future was at Rotherham.

 

Midfielders

In:

Sam McQueen - Left winger on loan.  One of those that is a make or break year.  Only costing me £500 p/w wages.

Jacob Murphy - Left winger.  Another one who has potential but we need to get it out of him.  Looked really good in pre-season.

Yaser Kasim - Played well for Swindon, can he step up? Has re-sale value if he doesn't but I'm sure he'll be a success.

Emerson Hyndman - Will be the RPM.  Small but very good with the ball at his feet.  Hoping he can unlock defenses.

Kaylen Hinds - He's a young midfielder release by Arsenal.  Is going to be re-trained and has potential.  One player to keep an eye on for sure.

Out:

Chris Dawson - Was never going to make it here so let go.

Gregory Nelson - Wasn't any plans to let go but agreed for him to let the club be a stepping stone.  With a club like Vitesse coming in and offering £1.3mil I couldn't reject it.  He didn't exactly set the world on fire either.

 

Strikers

In:

Adam Le Fondre - Alfies back, signed as a backup for a year.  Looked good in pre-season./

Lukas Nmecha - Youth player who played at Manchester City.  Has some potential.  See how he goes for a couple of years.

Out:

Johnson Clarke-Harris - Was never going to stay after I had to watch him at Preston in January this year.  Could of probably still done a job but I'd rather look elsewhere.

 

There will possibly still a couple of transfers.  I'm still thinking over whether I need another striker.

 

 

[SpillBlood]

Pre Season + August

Pre-season went well, we lost 3 - 0 down Wien but it was such a weird game.  We were dominating them, they countered and scored and we crumbled.  We picked ourselves up afterwards though.

Away - MK Dons
Pre-match Good enough pre-season and I know it'll take time for the lads to gel.  But hoping for a good result to start the campaign.
First half It's 1 - 0 Rotherham in 9 minutes!  We counter and Smallwood hits a ball up, I'm thinking what he's done here?  Le Fondre takes it down brilliantly, plays it to Murphy who bursts forward and sets up Taylor to smash in.  Half time!
Second half It's 1 - 1 and we concede the normal way.  Corner comes in, flicked on and Aneke is at the back post to hit in.  30 minutes to go, Newell, Vaulks and Ward on.  Alfie, Hyndman and Smallwood off.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Hendrie plays the ball down to Murphy whos pace is too much and he centers for Ward to hit in!  Full time!
Post-match Good win considering at times we were second best.  Murphy and Taylor were quality.  So was Ball at the back tbh.

Away - ELF Cup 1st Round - Notts County
Pre-match "Backups and youth".  I'd like to win a cup game this year though ^_^.
First half 1 - 0 Rotherham in the 13th minute.  Some good passing and McQueen plays in Alfie who slots in the corner.  Half time.  Switching to 4 - 4 - 2.
Second half 30 minutes left and Blackstock, Nmecha and Vaulks come on for Newell, Alfie and Hinds.  Full time.
Post-match Felt like we were in second gear but it's early days yet.

Should be a good test.

Home - Derby County
Pre-match Grayson stays we're not good enough to stay up, we'll see!
First half Nothing happened at all.  Half time.
Second half Awful from Rotherham.  Awful.  Between Fisher and Smallwood none of them can win the ball of Ince and they enough tries.  Ince crosses and Bryson hits in.  We gotta change this.  Going 4 - 4 - 2 with Alfie and Newell coming on for Hyndman and Murphy.  Last 10 minutes we're just going to go for it.  It's 1 - 1 in the 86th minute!  Corner gets headed out to Fisher, he passes to Smallwood who makes a brilliant pass over to Newell.  He crosses and Taylor hits in!  Derby went very close!  Martin volleys it from just outside the area and smashes the crossbar and we manage to clear!  Full time!
Post-match Draw is a good result, I'll take it.  Positive when we went attacking.  Glad to see that.

Away - Reading
Pre-match Newell and Alfie start.  Ward and Hyndman go to the bench.  I'll slightly altered our mentally to play a bit slower and hold our shape more.
First half It's 1 - 0 Rotherham!  Ball is cleared from a corner but Alfie gets to it takes on his man and sets up Newell who drills low from the edge of the box after 24 minutes.  Should be 2 - 0!  Taylor collects Murphys cross but hits straight at the keeper.  Taylor has a knock so on comes Forde at half time.
Second half Belaid comes on for Hendrie with 30 minutes to go.  It's 1 - 1.  Rakels hits in Zuculinis through ball.  Garratt messed up trying to save that.  Last 10 minutes Ward on for Alfie and attacking 4 - 3 - 3.  Garratt makes a good save to deny Reading going 2 - 1 up.  Full time!
Post-match I'm going to change our tactic back and second half was all Reading but away I'll take a draw for sure.

Away - Scunthorpe
Pre-match Rotating squad, give others a chance as nothing is set in stone.  Only Ball and Garratt remain.  I'd quite like to win this!  They're bottom of the league losing all 3 games.
First half Too close.  Scunthorpe cross and volley it and it hits the bar!  Could of gone in that.  Half time and we've been the best team, we just gotta make it count.  Belaid comes off for McCarthy, don't trust the yellow card.
Second half 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 46th minute.  Fordes freekick hits the wall but it bounces to Kasim who unleashes it into the back of the net.  It's 2 - 0 in the 63rd.  Vaulks long throw headed by McCarthy and headed in by Ball. Should of been 3.  McQueen does brilliant and his pass into the box is asking for Ward to get onto it, maybe if I had a proper strike they would of.  Scunthorpe go down the other end and Garratt makes a great save! Murphy comes on for Forde and Alfie comes on for Danny Ward for the last 25 minutes. It's 2 - 1 in the 75th minute.  Out midfielders are too sloppy with the ball and Scunthorpe counter, we can tackle and we don't.  It's 2 - 2!  What are we playing it!  This game was done and we're throwing it away.  Mattock misses the challenge, cross comes in, bounces off McCarthy to set up Madden.  We have to go for this!  Full time.
Post-match We threw this away and it's annoyed me.  We were the better side and then we just fell apart and let Scunthorpe come at us.  I need to figure out why sometimes we do not make those tackles when we can.  I've set the "get stuck in" instruction to try and see if it'll make a difference.

Home - EFL Cup 2nd Round - West Bromwich Albion
Pre-match Aslong as we enjoy ourselves and the fans have a good day, that's all that matters for this one.  I imagine Domenico Berardi will tear us apart.
First half Wow that's close.  Kasim takes a freekick and smashes the bar, thought it was in!  Oh can we defend!  It's 1 - 0 to WBA.  McClean takes on Fisher AND Murphy at the same time, crosses in and Roberts heads in.  Half time.  We're playing well enough I have to admit.  Fisher comes off for McCarthy who wasn't playing well.
Second half It's 1 - 1 in the 60th minute!  Hendrie throws to Alfie who centers to Murphy.  He smashes it and it comes back down off the bar, it isn't cleared and from the tighest of angles Smallwood puts it in!  Alfie and Murphy come off to be replaced by Forde and Ward for the last 20 minutes. End of 90 minutes!
Extra time first half Depends who scores next for this one.  Can only see 1 goal. WBA have it, Hendrie misses the tackle and lets in McManaman to cross.  Campbell loses his marker and knocks it in.
Extra time second half Nothing much happens and it's over.
Post-match We were the better team, honestly.  We're not taking any sort of chance and perhaps I do need another striker.

Home - Cardiff City
Pre-match A couple of changes but if we play aswell as we did against WBA and take our chances, we'll give them a game.  I've gone for more direct passing rather then mixed/retain.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Cardiff in the 9th minute.  Smallwoods tackle isn't good enough and they're able to create a chance from it.  Pikington sets up Immers who smashes in.  It's a red card!  Aron Gunnarsson flies in a with a two footed tackle and he gets his marching orders in the 13th minute.  Can we take advantage? Half time and Kasim is making way for Alfie and Forde on for Murphy and going 4 - 4 - 2.
Second half Should be 1 - 1! Good play from Rotherham and a cross lands to Forde and he heads over! Frecks comes on for Smallwood, see if he can make the difference.  Route one for 10 minutes, wake up Rotherham!  10 shots, 0 on target.  It should be 2 - 0.  Gounongbe gets on the end of a corner and somehow heads over. It's full time.
Post-match Fuming, we missed more good chances.  I'm buying a striker, this isn't working.

Here's my striker!

Can he do the business? We'll see!

September

Home - Fulham
Pre-match Will be a hard game but with Taylor back we'll have a bigger chance.  Frecks and Ball are out but Newell and Belaid come in.  Ward goes AML and Keane uptop.
First half It's all too easy for Fulham and they should be 1 - 0 up but somehow hit wide.  Close to being 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Kasims header hits the bar!  Half time and we're dominating the match, we just need a goal.
Second half Belaid goes to LB and McCarthy comes on for Mattock.  Fulham hit the bar!  Freekick comes in, Holding gets up but it's straight onto the bar.  Going 4 - 4 - 2 with Kasim making way for Alfie.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  We're putting crosses in but Fulham defend well, Wards cross is neat and Le Fondre pokes it in.  It's 1 - 1.  Woodrow finishes off a good Fulham move with 6 minutes to go.  Full time!
Post-match Fulham were better so a draw is good.  We still need to get some points on the board.

Away - Brighton and Hove Albion
Pre-match Aslong as we can contain Baldock, I think we can grab a point.  I'm going to try and attack though.  Brighton are 20th and I feel we have the players to go for it.
First half Good team attack from Rotherham and Stockdale has to make a great save to deny Murphy.  Half time and some encouragement.
Second half 30 minutes to go and McCarthy on for Fisher and Ward on for Murphy.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Kasims long freekick is hit in by Ward, he's just come on!  It's full time!
Post-match Kasims role was changed to BWM and we looked alot more solid.  We played well.

Home - Sunderland
Pre-match Going to stay attacking, only change is Ward on for Murphy.  We're only a point behind Sunderland, let's make it 2 points ahead.
First half GGOOOOOAAALLL!!! 21st minute and Kasim smashes in a 25 yard freekick.  Damn that was close for Sunderland, good ball into the box and Fisher loses his man but the shot hits the post and Mattock clears!  Was nearly 2 - 0 but Ward is just offside!  Hendrie on for Mattock at half time.
Second half 20 minutes to go and Murphy and Alfie on for Keane and Taylor.  It's full time.
Post-match Sunderland were the better side but a win is a win.

Away - Sheffield Wednesday
Pre-match Starting with 4 - 4 - 2 as they seem to be vulnerable to it.  Let's see.  The Rotherham faithul reckon because Jamaal Lascelles is playing we're going to lose.  Little bit random.
First half Good play from Sheff Weds and they should of gone 1 - 0 up but they shot wide.  Good move again and Garratt saves, it bounces randomly and Hendrie managed to clear.  Going to change to attacking but this isn't working imo.
Second half We go 1 - 0 down.  Jones' freekick straight to Palmer and he centers to Reach.  What a miss!  Vaulks plays in Keane and he hits wide somehow!  Garratt makes a great save to deny a 2 - 0 goal lead!  Hooper hits the post and really should of scored.  Going to my normal tactic or we're going to get hammered.  It's 1 - 1!  Taylor crosses and Ward hits in a wonderful move.  That's better!  Reach has a great chance but nods wide!  That could cost them.  Oh damn.  It's a red card to Kasim.  4 minutes left and it's a very bad challenge.  Going 4 - 1 - 2 - 2 with no wingers.  If we can hold on I'll be happy.  Full time!
Post-match 4 - 4 - 2 wasn't the answer and we were lucky to draw, I'll take it 'cus we were second best throughout.

Home - Huddersfield Town
Pre-match They're 1st and they have Chuba Akpom, team scorer last year and 9 in 9 so far.  We'll see how it goes ^_^.  They've played 9, won 8, drawn 1.  Jason Steele may be a doubt though which is a plus for us.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 13th minute! Keane does brilliant and sets up Hyndman who slots in!  Should be 1 - 1, cross comes in and Akpom somehow heads over.  Again!  Should be 1 - 1 but Akpom hits wide!  This time it is 1 - 1.  Crawford gets played through and holds the ball up, simple pass across and Van La Parra has an open net to hit into it.  Half time, not losing so I'll take that.
Second half It's 2 - 1 in the 48th minute!  Loves cross is cleared only to Taylor who unleashes a volley, no keeper is saving that.  Love gets done and Huddersfield counter, for some reason Bunn tries to score a 30 yard screamer that goes closer to the corner flag.  It's 3 - 1 to Rotherham!  Newells freekick lands to the feet off Baldwin, he centers to Hyndman who hits in for his second of the day in the 71st minute!  73rd minute Vaulks on for Smallwood and McQueen on for Ward.  Nervous it's 3 - 2 in the 88nd minute!  Bunn plays in Cappelluzzo, Garratt saves but he hits in the rebound! That was so close!  Hyndman hits a 25 yard freekick and Coleman makes a great save to deny.  It's full time!
Post-match BRILLIANT second half.  Hyndman bossed the AP position, I decided RPM wasn't working and that was brilliant.  Keane may of not scored yet but he's holding the ball up and winning headers, it's working.  First team to beat Huddersfield in 10 games, Rotherham :).

Away - Middlesbrough
Pre-match I'd take a point.  Kind of bad that my player of the season Fry isn't even starting for them.  Same lineup from the Huddersfield game.
First half Nothing happened, half time.
Second half  Hinds, McQueen and Alfie on for the last 15 minutes for Keane, Ward and Taylor.  I'd take a draw and excactly what I'm looking for.  Full time.
Post-match Neither team could break each others defense.  Draw is fair and the result I wanted away.

[johnstonpickle]

Good signings and a solid enough start  hopefully you'll get to within an outside shot of the playoffs if it continues!

[SpillBlood]

October

Away - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-match Away and I'll take a draw.  Going to drop Ward to the bench and play McQueen.  Frecks is back and makes the bench.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 14th minute.  Neither side are keeping the ball well but we get the break.  Taylor crosses with his weak foot and it lands straight to McQueen.  He one-twos with Newell and then he centers for Keane to let rip on the volley.  It's 1 - 1 in the 24th minute.  Wolves pass well and we don't tackle, Garbutt crosses and Solanke is the one on the end of it to hit in.  It's 2 - 1. Taylor loses the ball again and Wolves counter.  Dicko plays in Solanke who slots past Garratt.  Going 4 - 4 - 2 for the second half.  Le Fondre is replacing Taylor and Frecklington replacing Hyndman as Frecks is playing on the right!?
Second half Dicko goes for a solo effort but his shot is just over, it'd of been a great goal.  Batth hits the crossbar from a corner!  So close.  Going to play a diamond and drop wingers.  Vaulks on for McQueen with 25 minutes to go.  Too easy and it's 3 - 1 to Wolves.  Ripsoli hits a very deep cross and Solanke hits in.  Not sure what Hendrie is doing in any of that defensive play.  Alfie misses a sitter!  Should of been 3 - 2!  Full time.
Post-match Fullbacks struggled but Taylor had an awful game imo and put Love under pressure.  It was a bad day at the office.

Home - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Frecks, Kasim and Vaulks start in the middle.  Ward is back on the left.  Nice to see Kasim back. Mattock and Fisher take the fullback positions.
First half We counter in the first 30 seconds!  Taylors cross is awful though and well over Keane.  Taylor goes on a solo run but his shot is wide.. he could of passed.  Fisher saves the day!  He clears the corner off the line!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 39th minute.  We counter well and Keane has options both sides.  Plays it Frecks who plays a ball over to Ward.  His shot is saved but Taylor hits in the rebound.  Half time and Mattock is coming off for Belaid.  
Second half Ipswich makes a mistake at the back and we counter.  Keane plays in Taylor who spoons wide.  Keane is injured so on comes the returning Murphy and Ward goes uptop.  Ipswich counter and Morris has a good chance but Garratt saves!  Big chance goes missing.  Do feel another goal in here somewhere.  Newell on for Vaulks for the last 10 minutes.  Kasims freekick is high and wide and it's full time!
Post-match A draw would of been fair.  Fisher, Ball and Baldwin played well.  The LBS both struggled on attack duty.  E.G Belaid goes into a perfect place to just hit the ball across and somehow even messed that up.  3 points though!

Home - Birmingham
Pre-match Resting Keane.  Ward starts uptop and McQueen on the left since he has more assists for me this season.  Brummy are 22nd, we should get a win here.
First half Even boring first half were either side are only threatning from people trying to get goal of the month.
Second half Should be 1 - 0.  Frecks make a great ball to Ward and his shot is saved.  First touch too heavy.  Brilliant work from Mattock on the left and Taylor somehow heads wide!  Close for Birmingham this time.  Corner comes in and Morrisons header hits the bar.  20 minutes left.  Alfie on for Ward, McCarthy on for Ball and Murphy on for McQueen.  What a save!  Ball over the top and Alfie takes it down beautifully, he takes it on and unleashes.  Kuszckaz gets down to keep it 0 - 0.  Brilliant from the PIG.  It's full time, Taylor should of won the game.
Post-match Not happy to of dropped points vs a struggling side.

Home - Nottingham Forest
Pre-match I'll be happy with a draw here.  They're 18th so we have every chance but they did the double over us last season.  Frecks going into the B2B position and Hyndman goes to the AP role.  Murphy on the left and Keane back uptop.  Oh, Mattock just got injured so Hendrie goes LB.
First half Taylor is causing so many problems.  He lays off Fisher and he crosses.  Murphy is on the end of it and somehow hits wide, he cannot believe he's missed it!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham. We counter well and Frecks passes to Keane, he just turns and smashes it, keeper has no chance.  Half time and we're the better side.
Second half Lica blocks the shot on the line!  Taylors corner comes on, Baldwin flicks on and Ball heads but Lica blocks.  Smallwood and Ward on for Kasim and Murphy with 30 minutes to go.  It's 2 - 0.  Hyndman hits a freekick from the edge of the box and it flies in after 62 minutes.  Last 5 minutes giving McCarthy a run out for Ball.  Full time!
Post-match We were by far the better team, smashing.  Forest only had 1 shot on target.

November

Away - Brentford
Pre-match Ward starts at LW but the same apart squad apart from that.  Brentford are 18th.  A point I'll be happy with.
First half 24 seconds in and Cummings heads wide, should of been 1 - 0! 2 minutes in though it's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Good passing round the box and Frecks shots deflects to Taylor who fires low into the net.  It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham in the 7th minute!  Hendrie crosses and it's headed back but only to Keane who unleashes a volley that the keeper had no chance of saving.  So close to 3 in the 15th!  Good counter and Ward switches to Taylor, his shot hits the post.  It's 2 - 1!  Jota plays in Sawyers whoi slots past Garratt.  Garratt should of done better, there wasn't much room to to shoot at.  Baldwin hits the bar from Taylors corner!  It's 2 - 2.  They counter from the corner and Lamah plays a nice ball to Jota who volleys in!  Cannot believe we're drawing we should of been clear.  It's 3 - 2 to Rotherham!  Kasims freekick is played to Fisher on the right, he crosses low and Keane hits in.  Half time, great game so far.
Second half Hat-trick for Keane in the 51st minute! Hyndman passes to Keane and it's a tame shot but very well placed and Bentley cannot get near it.  Hendrie is struggling and Belaid replaces him in the 52nd minute.  30 minutes to go and Newell and Murphy replace Ward and Frecklington.  Newell should of made it 5. Taylors corner is swung in and Newell runs and gets his head on it but it's over.  Full time!
Post-match What a game!  Contender for match of the season.  Buzzing for Keane.  Stats wise it could of gone to either side!

Away - Preston North End
Pre-match They're 24 6 points after 16 games with 0 wins.  I better not mess this up!
First half 1 - 0 to Preston!  11th miute and Browne scores a freekick from the edge of the area, top corner.  We're shocking so far, half time.  4 - 4 - 2 with Alfie coming on for Kasim.
Second half 2 - 0 to Preston int he 56th minute.  Doyle heads in Brownes freekick, what are we doing! 70th minute and we just are going for it, McCarthy on for Fisher and Smallwood on for Frecks.  This is embarrasing.  Full time, what a joke.
Post-match Been a couple of days since I loaded up FM and somehow it seems since the Brentford win my players forgot how to play, absolutely woeful.

Home - Sheffield United
Pre-match I've pretty much dropped the team that played vs Preston.  We'll see how this goes.  They're in 23rd... come on lads.
First half  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Vaulks hits a ball out wide and Murphy manages to keep it in, just.  His cross is met by the foot of Kaylen Hinds to hit in his first Rotherham goal.  Half time!
Second half 3 subs with 30 minutes to go.  Kasim on for Smallwood before he gets sent off.  Taylor on for McQueen and Keane on for Alfie.  It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham.  A bit of ping pong in the Sheffield United box after a corner comes in.  In the end it falls to Murphy in a good position to knock in.  Full time.
Post-match Murphy showing why he should be in the starting 11.  Much better then the Preston game.

December

Home - Newcastle United
Pre-match Somehow they're currently sat in 11th but it's Newcastle so not taking this lightly.  Any point(s) will do.  Just not getting hammered will do.  More of my normal starting 11 but Murphy starts at the AML slot where as Ward is on the bench.  Frecklington only makes it to the bench aswell.
First half So close! 9th minute Kasims freekick smashes the bar, thought it was in!  It's 1 - 0 to Newcastle in the 25th minute.  Cross comes in and it bounces off two players, Garratt doesn't catch only palms it, it's only half cleared off the line but Bamford hits in. That was so close, Smallwood gets tackled too easily, Bamford takes on Fisher and squares Anita.  25 yarder smashes the post!  Half time.  Belaid and Frecks are coming on for Kasim and Hendrie.  Wait, we're favorites?  Come on, it's bloody Newcastle.
Second half Slightly changed tactic so my wide players are wingers and to get the ball to them.  30 mins to go and Alfie on for Hyndman.  4 - 2 - 2 - 2.  Let's go for it, we have nothing to lose.  It's 2 - 0 to Newcastle in the 72nd minute.  Bit of luck really.  Anitas freekick bounces off the wall and into the path of Lazaar to hit in.  3 - 0 to Newcastle in the 82nd minute.  Keane is having a shocker and they counter from his mistake.  Gayle shows the two CBs up and hits in.  Full time.
Post-match I got my tactics wrong, absolutely.  But there's no way in hell even at home we should be favourites vs Newcastle!

FA Cup Draw!  I'd like to progress in this one for sure.

Home - Leeds United
Pre-match A few changes.  McCarthy, Frecks, Ward, Vaulks and Love come into the starting 11.  Ball, Hyndman, Smallwood, Keane make the bench.  Fisher is dropped. Bad weather here in Rotherham, will it effect the game?
First half Nothing's really happened.  We're the better side but there's no proper chances from either team.
Second half 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 46th minute.  Corner comes in and it's headed out but only to Frecklington, he passes to Baldwin who sets up Kasim to slot in the bottom corner.  20 minutes to go.  Hyndman on for Frecklington.  Keane on for Murphy and McQueen on for Taylor.  Full time.
Post-match Only 1 reason chance and we took it.  A win is a win, especially vs Leeds.

Away - Barnsley
Pre-match Alot of changes due to it being a Tuesday night game.  Only Garratt and Baldwin start from the Leeds game.
First half Quiet and my tactics haven't worked.  Going to try counter Barnsley for the second half.
Second half Great move from Rotherham and it was just asking for Forde to hit it in!  We've come into the second half booming.  Penalty to Rotherham!  Good attack and Forde crosses, Newell is fouled when leaping!  Keane steps up and it's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 56th minute.  Wow, literally a minute later Belaid messed up a simple chest of the ball and thanks to Garratt Barnsley didn't score! 20 minutes to go, Murphy and Hinds come on for Forde and Hyndman.  Last 5 minutes and Kasim comes on for McQueen with Newell going to the left.  Full time.
Post-match Exactly what I wanted from the second half.  We countered well as a team and didn't give them many chances.  Still wondering how Forde didn't score though.

We're selling out every game so I've asked for an expansion.

Would of liked a bit more seats but it'll do.  Hopefully the money will be a loan against the club otherwise I just made a mistake :D.

Away - Hull City
Pre-match Going to try Kasim in the AP role since he's been pretty solid in any position I've put him in so far.  Ward/Taylor/Keane are the top 3.  I'd be happy with a point here.  They have the likes of Kuki(on loan from Man Utd) and Abel Hernandez uptop.  They should be higher then they are.  They do have some injures but still.  On note, they just got beat 5 - 1 by Wolves so they'll be hungry for a win.  Can we exploit that?
First half 50 seconds and it's 1 - 0 to Wolves.  Freekick comes in and we head out straight to Kuki on the edge of the box who smashes it and Garratt can only just get a hand to it but it still goes in.  It's 2 - 0 to Hull.  Snodgrass scores a freekick from the edge of the area.  It's a red card!  Smallwood cynical challenge as Hull counter.  44th minute and down to 10.  Taylor comes off for Hyndman and we play without wingers.  We gotta play better.
Second half Another red!  This time to Hull.  James Weir recieves a red for two yellow cards.  It's 3 - 0 though.  Hernandez heads in Clucas' corner in the 63rd minute.  It's 4 - 0 and potentially goal of the month for Sam Clucas.  He isn't closed down well enough and curls one in on the edge of the area.  Defenders could of done ALOT more then.  Full time.
Post-match I knew it'd be hard but that was shocking.  Smallwood really did put us on the back foot.  Atleast we weren't Bristol City who lost 7 - 0 to Birmingham!

Home - Bristol City
Pre-match They just lost 7 - 0.  We just lost 4 - 0.  I have changed my backline in annoyance(except Garratt but nothing he could of done).  Let's get back to business.
First half Hyndman goes on a terrific run but his shot is wide.  It's 1 - 0 to Bristol City though.  Tomlins freekick hits the wall bounces back to him and he smashes in from the edge of the box.  How unlucky are we getting from these shots hitting the wall?  Should be 1 - 1.  Love is free in the box but his headed effort is poor.  He should of let the ball drop or headeda pass.  Another chance!  Passing build up and Ward has it in a good position, he passes instead of shoots and this sets up Keane but it's at the keeper!  Half time.  Absolutely going to go mental!
Second half 30 minutes left, going 4 - 4 - 2 with Alfie and Frecklington coming on for Ward and Kasim.  Keane is coming off for Vaulks and we go to a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1.  We have the ball and we're countering well, Taylor shoots!?  He should of put the ball into the box!  Another awful loss, better team who can't take chances.  Feel we need to change tactic here.

Oops!  I didn't read McCarthy contract properly and if he playes one more game he'll be on a 12k p/w contract!  Only a week 'til the window opens, try and get him shipped out ^_.

Away - Derby County
Pre-match Going to try 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 with Hinds in the AMC role.  Need to freshen up.  They're 21st.
First half We're winning the ball back well and that's pleasing.  It should be 1 - 0.  Great passing and Hinds sets up Taylor but's the post.  Close!  A mess up at the back lets Derby in and a long shot is parried onto the bar.  It's 1 - 0.  Taylor is acting like a winger again and sets up a cracking cross for Keane to hit in.  Half time and we're looking alright, Hinds isn't looking out of place.
Second half  Ince goes close!  Derby counter from Fishers awful throw.  Thats two now.  Hinds should of scord!  Good play and Keane plays Hinds in but smashes wide!  10 minutes left and Vaulks, Frecks and McQueen on for Hyndman, Hinds and Murphy.  Close!  Martin hits it from 20 yards and smashes the bar!  Full time.
Post-match A good win, the only chances Derby had we from our own mistakes(two throw ins).  Fisher even got MotM.

Home - MK Dons
Pre-match Going to keep it the same but McQueen starts as AML.
First half 2 minutes in and 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  They clear our corner but we pass well and Kasim sets up Hinds.  It's 2 - 0 in the 10th.  Good play from Rotherham and Taylors cross is met by Hinds.  Good save!  Fisher blocks Maynards shot and it rolls nicely to Joe Evans but Garratt saves.  Half time, Hinds is playing well!
Second half So close!  Keane plays in Hinds but Martin denies his hat-trick!  30 minutes to go and McQueen goes off, Murphy on.  Alfie and and Vaulks replace Keane and Kasim for the last 20 minutes.  Full time!
Post-match Looking really good.  Stats are much better, possession and shots on target wise.  What a show by Hinds and Hyndman is loving his DLP role.

January

Home - Reading
Pre-match Only two days since the MK dons game so a squad change.  Same tactic.
First half That's a goal.  Quinn runs centrally, moves to the left and smashes it to the top corner after 28 mins, hats off.  Half time, we're not playing bad at all, credit to the Reading defense.
Second half 30 minutes left.  McQueen, Keane and Hyndman on for Nmecha, Ward and Alfie.  Last 20 minutes going to go to my attacking 4 - 3 - 3, see if the Reading make a mistake.  Keane goes close but Moore blocks for a corner.  It's full time, full credit to Readings defense they were brilliant.
Post-match We didn't play bad at all, we couldn't break down Readings defense and a great goal by Quinn changed it.

Sheffield United bid for McCarthy!  But they want us to pay 3k p/w for the next two years.. what.  No thanks.  Got it down to 500k with no wages, that'll do lovely.

Home - FA Cup 3rd Round - Scunthorpe United
Pre-match They're a Championside side and I want to win this.  Strong side out.
First half 6 minutes in and 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Corner comes in and it's not cleared properly, back in by Murphy and Hinds lays off Keane and in the back of the net.  21st minute and 2 - 0.  Great team goal and Keane does very well, holds up, turns and lays off Hinds who hits in.  Half time and we're hammering them all over the pitch.
Second half What a save!  Random balls being hit and Murphy can't cope, a bit of weird ME action after Murphy heads it but van Veen unleashes and it should be in the net but Garrett makes an amazing save.  It's 2 - 1 in the 51st minute though.  Morris' corner is flicked on by Wisemen and Wallace heads in at the back post.  Scunthorpe are looking a different side this 2nd half.  25 minutes left Kasim comes on for Vaulks, Ward for McQueen and Taylor for Murphy.  It's 3 - 1 in the 74th minute!  Kasim hits in a freekick, lovely.  4 - 1 in the 77th minute.  Hinds heads in Taylors freekick.  Hinds is free and it was all too easy.  It's full time.
Post-match Wasn't expecting that result, cracking game.  Hinds is taking this AMC slot as his own!

Sending players out on loan.

He needs more game time, that's it.  He may have a future but we can't give him the time he needs.

He needs first team and he isn't getting it here.  He's either injured or just not in form.  

FA Cup 4th Round:

Gives us a chance to quality.  I've no idea how we're in poor form though.  Last 13 games, won 8 lost 5.  That's not poor.

Player in!

Really happy with this, was waiting for him to be released.  Going to retain him to AMC aswell to push for Hinds' spot.  He can replace Frecklington at the end of the season also, he's getting on a bit and declining fast sadly.

Away - Cardiff City
Pre-match This is going to be difficult, a point will be good.
First half It's all Cardiff but we do a great counter and Pereira has to make a great save to deny Taylor.  What's he doing!?  Mistake at the back for Cardiff, Hinds knocks it on to Ward, WARD JUST HAS TO PASS TO KEANE.  Literally, pass and it's a goal.  He shoots and it's a corner!  You know one of those goals everyone hates against you on Fifa?  We'd of scored one of those.  Hyndmans freekicks aren't getting past the first defender and they keep countering, it's a bit of a concern.  Ward though, come on lad.. half time.
Second half 20 minutes left and 4 - 3 -3 attacking with Alfie, Murphy and Smallwood on for Hinds, Ward and Keane.  It's a penalty!  Fisher throws the ball to Taylor and his shirt is being pulled by Timor.  Alfie steps up and... bottom corner!  1 - 0 in the 71st minute.  It's a red card.  Ola Aina is sent off for a second yellow after he fouls Murphy.  10 men for 12 minutes for Cardiff.    Should of been 2 - 0!  Taylors freekick in, Murphy flicks on and Ball somehow heads over!  It is 2 - 0.  Murphy plays through Hendrie, he crosses in and Alfie heads onto the bar and in!  89th minute.  Freak goal!  2 - 1 in the 90th minute.  Hoilett shoots from 25 yards out and it pings off Baldwin and into the back of the net.  Full time.
Post-match Really happy with that, we played so much better when I changed the tactic.  Alfie will be buzzing, scoring in general and 2 against his old club.

McCarthy replaced:

Familiar face!  Will be backup like McCarthy was.

Home - Scunthorpe United
Pre-match I've dropped Danny Ward and McQueen starts but if play aswell as we did against them in the cup, we'll be fine.
First half 6th minute 1 - 0 to Scunthorpe.  Wallace heads in Morris' corner.  Cracking save.  Fisher throws to Taylor who lays off Keane.  Keanes shot is tipped ontop the post by McGee.  It's 1 - 1 in the 16th minute.  Good attacking move and McQueen heads in Fishers cross.  It's 2 - 1.  Paddy Madden hits in van Veens through ball in the 21st minute.  Feel Garratt could of come to get that quicker.  It's 3 - 1 in the 39th minute.  Corner comes in and it's ping pong, it's not cleared and Mirfin hits in.  Pretty shocking so far.  We've had more shots, most possession and somehow miles behind.
Second half 30 minutes left, switch to 4 - 3 - 3 attacking with Hinds, Taylor and Keane off.  Smallwood, Murphy and Alfie on.  What the hell just happened?  Scunthorpe punt the ball up and Ball hits it off Madden and it sets him up to score, 4 - 1.. It's full time.
Post-match We were the better team in "stats" yet got hammered.  The back line weren't very good... at all.  When switching we just kept pumping to Alfie though that wasn't the point.  Just a terrible day.

Home - FA Cup 4th Round - Charlton Atheltic
Pre-match Can rotate some players here.  We have to play better then that.
First half Garratt makes a great save to stop us going down, we watched as they passed the ball around.  Half time and we are second best.
Second half 30 minutes to go and changing to 4 - 3 - 3.  Vaulks and Taylor on for Smallwood and Newell.  It's 1 - 0!  We pass well and Murphy heads in Loves cross.  Great ball from Birigimana to set Love up. Full time!
Post-match Clean sheet and a win. MotM?  Rawson.  We'll see how he does in the league.

FA Cup 5th Round:

We'll play either Leicester or Brighton at home.

Away - Fulham
Pre-match Happy with a point, expecting a tough game.
First half We've been the better side but that isn't saying much.
Second half 30 minutes left and going to switch formations.  Vaulks and Alfie on for Hinds and Keane.  1 - 0 Fulham.  Reed corner, it's only out to Ream who heads in.  It lands to Stearman and he has so much time, what is Love doing?  He's allowed to turn and shoot, it flies in the corner after 62 minute.  10 minutes left and Birigimana replaces Taylor and we go with a diamond in midfield.  See if we can get a draw.  Not even a minute later and it's 1 - 1!  We attack so well and Smallwood pokes through to set Murphy up(playing as my poacher).  Gotta give a shout out to Alfie for how well he controlled the ball.  It's 2 - 1 to Fulham in the 81s minute.  I have no idea how Aluko is onside, he's clearly offside but it isn't called and he runs down and hits in.  How is he onside!?  Full time.
Post-match Not happy with that.  I can't get how he's onside.  Unless my CBs are both playing him on, I can't tell.  Just, not happy with that.  I feel I need a new LB so bad but it'll have to wait for the summer.

Table at the end of January:

Really hoping we can get that play off spot.

[SpillBlood]

February

Home - Brighton and Hove Albion
Pre-match Gone for more of a normal starting 11 but I'm actually struggling to put players in the first 11/subs which I'd like and that's a good thing.  They're 20th and we're at home.  I expect a win!
First half What a ball!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 12th minute.  Balls chip through ball to Keane was a delight, was a good hit to finish aswell.  So close!  Keane has space and lines one off, his shot hits the bar!  Would of been a great shot.  It's 1 - 1!  Freekick comes in and Brighton have bodies, Grigore heads to Graham who knocks back in and Norwood gets his head to the ball in the 23rd minute to equalise.  Great play by Rotherham and another lovely ball to Keane but Stockdale saves.  Just before the break it's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Keane hits in Hyndmans through ball.  Half time!
Second half 30 minutes to go and 3 subs.  Birigimana for Hinds, Ward for Taylor who's bad a bad game and Belaid for Baldwin.  It's full time.
Post-match Keane was brilliant.  We could of been a bit better as a team, the 3 behind Keane struggled all game.  To be fair they pulled the fullbacks out for Keane but Taylor sometimes got too greedy etc.

Away - Sunderland
Pre-match Not changing anything, let's see how it goes.  Sunderland are above us.  CB worth 22million in Coates.  Just try and enjoy ourselves.
First half It's counter, counter, counter!  Sunderland go 1 up inthe 7th minute.  Cerutti does brilliant but instead of my CB running back he should be challenging him, let him cross for Joselu to hit in.  Close for SUnderland!   Hyndman misses the header(tbh, he has a jumping of 3) and Joselu heads it onto the bar.  Half time, I'll stick with it for the mo' but feel we may need a change.
Second half Poor defending and poor keeping makes it 2 - 0.  We never close down enough and Kharzi beats Garratt way too easy at his near post.  30 minutes left and 3 subs.  Ward, Birigimana and Smallwood on.  Hinds, Hyndman and Taylor off.  Switch to 4 - 3 - 3 attacking.  It's 3 - 0, we're getting hammered.  Jones' cross is headed in by Joselu.  Consolation goal!  Keane scores a goal in the 86th minute, first shot on target all game!  Full time.
Post-match Men vs boys, my fullbacks especially Hendrie were absoluteluy awful.

Away - Huddersfield Town
Pre-match Tuesday night game and we're going to get hammered, they've lost 3 in 31 games.  A point will be amazing.  Fullbacks and Taylor changed.  Taylor is so our of form.  Murphy goes AMR and Ward AML.  Wait.. Akpom is out!  We might have a chance, he's the key!
First half Hinds bursts through two players but Steele saves, would of been great!  Garratt makes a great save to stop Crawfords bending shot going in but why my players backed off the throw in I don't know.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Keane does brilliantly, shows skill and pace to take on his man and run down the right.  He crosses in and Ward hits in at the back post vs his old club!  Half time and we're doing well.
Second half Goal!  2 - 0 to Rotherham in the 50th minute!  Garratt counters by hoofing it up, Hinds takes down, runs and shoots low into the net!  Birigimana replaces Hyndman and Taylor replaces Murphy with 20 minutes to go.  Steele makes a quality save to deny Hinds, really good keeping.  He doesn't then though, it's 3 - 0 to Rotherham!  Freekick and Kasim lines it up.  He actually makes a short pass to Baldwin, he passes to Ward who plays through Hinds.  He shoots and Steele palms it into the net, 89th minute.  Full time!
Post-match Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.  Solid at the back, Love and Belaid were superb at the fullback slots.  Huddersfield weren't bad, we were just better.  Akpom was missing and it showed.  What a game.

Home - FA Cup 5th Round - Leciester City
Pre-match Only change is Smallwood to BWM and Kasim to DLP so Hyndman is going to the bench.  Just looking for a good game here.  Noooo!  Hinds is out for 4 - 5 weeks.  Step up Birigimana.
First half Mahrez goes close.  Freekick comes in and we clear out.  He picks it up and runs into the box and fires but Garratt is equal.  Murphy is causing so many problems for Fuchs.  Saying that Fuchs makes a mistake and sets Murphy up but he can't finish.  So close for Keane!  Smashes one for 20 yards and just hits bar, looks destined for the net.  Twice!  2 minutes later the same!  We're playing amazing here, it's asking for a goal!  Half time, keep it going lads!
Second half Penalty!? So harsh.  It's to Leicester, there's ping pong in the box and as it's cleared Murphy somehow fouls Huth.  Vardy steps up and no keeper is saving that, class pen.  It's alright lads, we have time.  56th minute, still early in this half.  Equaliser!  Kasim smashes a freekick in from outside the area, what a freekick.   Only 10 minutes left but Alfie, Taylor and Hyndman replace Murphy, Keane and Birigimana.  Can either team find a winner?  It should be us!  Cleared off the line!  Taylors header from Hyndmans corner is cleared by Ozazaki and it's full time!  
Post-match What a game!  We were brilliant!  So unlucky not to win and looking forward to the replay!

Really want to get through, we could beat Boro!

Away - Sheffield Wednesday
Pre-match Only change is Taylor on for Murphy.  It's the Tues but do not want to kill the momentum.  We have to beat the Owls.  They're in 19th!
First half Alot of fouls from either side in the first 20 minutes.  That's about all that's happened.  Perhaps the better side but nothing has happened so far.  
Second half This is poor for the fans and in the 48th minute Marco Matias somehow heads Ramirez cross wide, he should of scored.  50th minute and Hyndman replaces Birigimana.  It's 1 - 0 Rotherham.  Hyndman passes the ball into the net from Keanes through ball.  This really is poor football though.  Hyndman got tackled and Keane stole the ball before Weds even reacted.  It's 2 - 0 minutes later in the 71st minute.  Hyndmans freekick isn't dealth with at all and it lands to Taylor who smashes in.  Rawson and Newell replace Smallwood and Baldwin as they're booked.  Full time!
Post-match I thought all around it was poor but it's no wonder Sheffield Wednesday are so far down.  Only chance they messed up and they never got any sort of foothold in the game, it was win the ball back and hoof it.

Home - Middlesbrough
Pre-match No changes to the side but they're in second only lost 6 all season, it's going to be a tough game.  I mean they have Raheem Sterling in on loan?!
First half That would of been goal of the season, Sterling shows his class by taking two on and smashing it.  It goes over though.  Unlucky.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 29th minute!  Hyndmans corner is headed in at the back post by Ball.  It goes across the goal of the mouth, no one clears and the keeper doesn't react.  It's half time, not the best game.
Second half Why does Taylor keep holding the damn ball for no reason?  He's tackled yet again when he has options to pass too and they counter, Sterling gets played through and it's 1 - 1 in the 56th minute.   20 minuts left, Newell, Murphy and Alfie on.  Ward, Taylor and Keane off.  It's 4 v 1 counter!  It's a goal!  Alfie collects the clearance and pushes forward.  He has both wide players and Hyndman on his path.  He plays a quality ball through to Hyndman who shoots, Guzan gets a hand to it but it's in the back of the net in the 76th minute!  It's been an even game so not sure why Boro are pushing for it so much, I think it'll cost them.  No way!  It is 2 - 2!  We've been pushing for a 3rd but somehow Boro have a goal.  Sterling plays a ball thorugh and Morales gets there just before Ball can clear and pokes in.  10 minutes left!  Can anyone win?  I feel we should of had a 3rd!  It's full time!
Post-match Can't fault the boys at all.  They have class players worth alot more than mine.  Draw is fair it was a very even game.  Had a word with Taylor post-game that he's making too many mistakes.  I know he came on and played well vs Sheffield Weds but last 5 games he's been 6.88 overall.

Away - FA Cup 5th Round Replay - Leicester
Pre-match Come on lads.  We played so well last time.  No changes, let's do it!
First half Fellaini booked 6 minutes into the game.  Maybe I can use that to my advantage.  We should be 1 - 0!  Brilliant play, holding and waiting for movement. Ward plays in Keane and somehow he hits wide.  Leciester do go 1 up a minute later in the 12th.  Albrighton plays a brilliant ball to Vardy who centers for Okazaki who's alone in the middle to slow in.   It's 1 - 1!  Brilliant play from Rotherham.  Waiting and waiting for the right moment.  Hyndman plays in Ward who slows low past Zieler in the 19th minute.  Half time!
Second half Ozazaki nearly scored 15 seconds into the half!  They pump the ball up, Vardy flicks on and he smashes it off the bar!  It's 2 - 1 in the 46th minute to Leiciester.  Great move and Albrighton heads in Mahrez cross.  Vardy is causing us so many problems.  3 subs in the 60th minute!  Murphy, Newell and Alfie on.  Keane, Kasim and Taylor off.  Vardy should of scored.  Mahrez does brilliant down the left, his pace is too much.  Crosses in and Vardy somehow heads over.  Alfie!!! It's 2 - 2!  Belaid plays in Ward who crosses first time to Alfie who is unmarked to slot in!  73rd minute.  Can we see a winner?!  NO!  It's 3 - 2 to Leicester in the 82nd minute.  Fellaini nods in Albrighton corner.   I feel if I change anything they'll score again, I'll leave the tactc and hope.  It's full time.
Post-match I can't fault the lads.  No one in this divison plays with the speed and pace Leicester do.  We gave them a game and we can be proud of that.  Ward got our first goal but he made alot of mistakes when checking the analysis.  

End of month awards!  I came runner up as Manager, Hyndman was 3rd as Young Player and Keane was 3rd as Player.  That's a step in the right direction for sure.

March

Away - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Squad rotation, the lads need a rest with games coming so fast.  Murphy and Newell on the wings.  Vaulks and Frecks in the middle.  Birigimana at AMC(trying my best to re-train him there) and Alfie uptop.  Hendrie and Fisher get a chance at fullback.  They're a team we need to beat to get a play off spot.
First half Garratt keeps it 0 - 0.  Vaulks is complaining about first team football and he's started here.  Loses the ball when he could of made a simple pass.  McGoldrick is a great position to score but Garratt palms onto his bar and catches.  We counter and it's a great run from Murphy, he cuts inside but his shot is over.  Birigimana is injured in the 29th minute and being replaced by Hyndman.  Half time and we really need a better second half.
Second half So close!  Hendrie clears off the line following an Ipswich corner.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  A quick passing movement lets Hyndman play in Newell who slots in after 59 minutes!  That came out of the blue!  20 minutes left.  Baldwin goes into MC to replace Vaulks and Taylor on to replace Murphy.  It's 1 - 1.  Garratt will be dissappointed to of conceded at his near post.  Quick passing and Sears is in and slots low in the near corner.  Can any team find a winner?  I'd settle for a draw!  Too many balls in the air and we're not winning any.  We're very much on the back foot.  10 minutes left and going to try attacking.  I think they'll score if we leave it to counter.  Full time!
Post-match I'm happy with a draw.  You could tell we lacked the Smallwood/Kasim type in midfield.  We had to rotate though.

Home - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-match They're 4th with 59, we're 8th with 57.  This is going to be a tough game but if we can make sure Iorfa struggles we'll get something out of it.  Going to give Taylor attack duty to see if it helps him out.  He is really out of form.
First half Gosling gets played through but Garratt saves!  Gosling can't do anything with the rebound.  The bar!  Wolves cross and Solanke gets on the end of it but only onto the bar!  Bar again!  Corner comes in and Wolves hit the bar again!  We can't handle Wolves!  30 minutes in and might have to change this!  According to "stats" we're doing fine, watching key moments we're really not.  Wait.. we're up 1 - 0!  Ward crosses as Iorfa doesn't close down, Hause body isn't in the right position to react to the ball giving Keane the extra space to get onto the bounce and hit in after 32 minutes.  It's 1 - 1.  Dicko plays a sweet ball to Solanke who slots in.  Garratt should be doing better, gets a hand to it and palms in.  Half time.
Second half What a miss!  Lovely ball into the box for Wolves and it's only asking for a half decent shot.  Cavaleiro hits it and Garratt saves easily.  Shocking miss.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Taylor does the business down the right as he skins Garbutt.  He crosses and Keane collects, plays it across goal for Ward to hit in.  It's 3 - 1!  Rotherham counter and Taylor slots through to Fisher, he runs down cuts into the box and passes across where he finds Keane to hit in after 51 minutes.  They've subbed Garbutt who's attacking threat down the left has been a problem for us, suprised at that.   15 minutes left.  Hendrie on for the booked Belaid, Frecklington on for Hyndman and Newell on for Kasim.  Full time!
Post-match So much better in the second half.  Wolves could of won this game in the first half but full credit to Ball and Baldwin, they dealth with all of Wolves crosses.  They only completed 13 out of 53.

Away - Birmingham City
Pre-match They just came from a 3 - 0 win over Nottingham Forest.  They'll be on a high and it'll be a tough came.
First half Half time and surely it's only a matter of time before we score.
Second half 20 minutes left and going attack with 3 subs.  Alfie, Murphy and Frecks on.  Hyndman, Ward and Keane off.  They're not playing bad I just want fresh attacking legs.  We should be stealing this 1 - 0.  That's so close!  We counter and Belaid plays a great ball to Alfie, he runs down and the defenders are catching, his shot is JUST wide!  It's full time!
Post-match If we'd of won that game we'd of gone 2nd.  That might cost us at the end of the season.

Home - Nottingham Forest
Pre-match HINDS IS BACK!  They're 22nd.  I hope the front four have a riot here.
First half Hinds has lost the ball twice in 30 seconds and Forest counter.  Garratt pulls out a top save to deny Assombalonga.  We go close!  From that corner we counter and Taylor puts a ball into the box that Hinds hits.  Kyle Wealker-Peters is on the line to block!  Throw in and Taylor flicks on, Belaid gets and it's over.  Should been atleast on target.   Forest go 1 - 0 up.  They attack fast and Bendtner plays in Osborn who rifles in.  Not sure how the game is saying about Garratt, nothing he could of done.  We pegged them back it's 1 - 1!  Great build up and Belaid crosses, Keane flicks on and Hinds volleys into the back of the net.  Welcome back!  Cleared!  Bentdner hits it and Belaid hacks off the line!  2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Hinds passes to Ward who cuts in, takes on and hits in.  No challenge on him!  40 minutes in and Hinds has an assist and goal on his return.  Half time!
Second half 30 minutes left.  Belaid, Baldwin and Smallwood off.  Newell, Rawson and Hendrie on.  Odd one.  Hinds plays into Keane and instead of trying to turn he passes out of the Forest box?  So weird.  It's led to a red card though!  Kasim is fouled by Ben Osborn and it's his second yellow.  20 minutes with 10 men for Forest.  Full time!
Post-match Would of liked a bigger win but good win overall.  Welcome Back Hinds!  He was quality but Danny Ward was MotM!  He's been really good the last few games.  He's picked it up since the Leicester game.

Two old faces join the backroom staff!

This came as a surprise!

Home - Brentford
Pre-match The first of [/b]three games in six days![/b].  Going to be a season defining six days for sure.  Hardest game first.  Mattock returns for the suspended Belaid We're at home and Brentford are in twelth, we have a chance.
First half Brentford go 1 - 0 up.  Cross after the corner cleared, it like hits off Ward slightly and Barbet hits in from 8 yards in the 9th minute. How did you miss!?  Ward puts in a lovely ball to Taylor and he somehow heads clean over!  That should of been a goal, no question.  It's the post!  Cross comes in and Cummings runs in and gets his head on it!  Should of been a goal again for Rotherham.  Smallwoods corner is headed by Ball but it's not strong enough so Bentley can tip over.  It's 1 - 1!  Mattock heads in Taylors cross in the 33rd minute.  Half time.
Second half 30 minutes left and Alfie, Hyndman and Murphy on.  Hinds, Ward and Keane off.  None are playing well and were I usually sub the yellow cards I need fresh legs.  Last 10 minutes switch to 4 - 3 -3 attacking.  Lerma just got sent off? Baldwin puts the ball over to Kasim but it's pulled back and Lerma gets his second yellow in the 80th minute.  Not even sure what he did but we'll take the extra man.  Come on!  TWO players couldn't close done Vibe and he croses for Hofmann to hit in, shocking defending.  86th minute Brentford lead.  Full time.
Post-match Fuming we lost that.  The AMC/ST/AML slot suffered all game.  Stats wise we absolutely controlled that game.  They had 1 CCC, we had 3, they had 0 half chances, we had 3.  They had 9 shots, we had 21, 59% possesion.  Fuming as we're out the play off spots.

April

Away - Sheffield United
Pre-match 9 changes, only Garratt and Ball stay.  We have to do better.  They're 23rd and we need every point we can get.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Great team goal.  Newell does great down the left, crosses and Alfie collects who centers for Hyndman who has a massive gap to slot in and does that after 14 minutes!  It's 1 - 1.  Frecklingotns clearence is so poor, he doesn't need to hit it like he does and Sheffield United get a chance from it.  Lavery passes to Sharp and he's just inside the box and hits it in after 34 minutes.  Half time, Frecks might cost us the game here.
Second half Sheffield United should be 2 - 1 up.  Great ball in and Mununga is free at the back post but what a save from Garratt.  3 subs with 20 mins left.  Hinds, Keane and Ward on.  Murphy, Alfie and Vaulks off.  Hyndman goes deeper.  We gotta get that winner.  Ward is on the right as an IF.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Hyndman steals the ball from a throw in, passes to Keane who plays through Hinds.  He slots past long at his near post, keeper will be dissappointed but we're happy.  Should be 3 - 1!  Hyndman does class and takes his man on and slots in Keane who blasts wide!  Sharp knocks it off after a throw in for a goalkick and it's full time!  
Post-match We won, that was hard!  Have to be harsh to them and tell them it was a let off.  

Home - Preston North End
Pre-match Last of the games before we get a small rest.  Alot of changes again and McQueen gets a rare start as the AML.  He's been doing well enough in the U23s.  Hyndman is knackered but he starts.  We need to get revenge after that embarrasing lost last time.
First half The post!  Kasims freekick curls and pings off the post, Taylor can't get to it first.  Should of scored.  Hyndman showing his class puts a lofted ball over what plays in Keane.  He hits first time and Lindegaard palms onto the post.  He should of scored really.  SHOCKING DEFENDING.  A simple ball come sin abd Baldwin makes a total hash f heading it and sets up Hugill.  We're throwing this away. It's 1 - 1!  Freak goal really.  Keane passes to Hinds in a very crowded box, he hits it and it pings off the goalscorer Hugill into the back of the Preston net.  Lack kick of the half, it's half time!
Second half Rawson on for Baldwin.  We just need to take our chances.  20 minutes left.  Newell on for Kasim and Ward for McQueen.  Can we find a winner?  For no reason Ward tries a 35 yarder... we're in control what are you doing.  Full time.
Post-match Shocking again.  We had so many chances and the only chance they had came from a huge mistake from Baldwin.  We're now 4 points off 2nd when these games we should of won.  Out of the last 5 games we have 3 very hard ones, including vs Hull who are only 2 points behind us in 7th.  It's going to be difficult to keep our playoff spot at this rate.

Away - Newcastle United
Pre-match I've never beat Newcastle.  They're in 10th but don't expect to beat them again.
First half Half time, we've actually been the better side.
Second half We should be 1 - 0 up!  Keane plays in Taylor but it's slightly wide.  20 minutes left and change round.  Hyndman goes AMC and Hinds is subbed, he was tackled hard in the first half and it's knocked him.  Murphy on for Taylor, Ward on the right playing IF and Alfie on for Keane.  Full time.
Post-mach Stats wise, Taylor should of given us a win.  We contained Newcastle superbly it's a shame it couldn't of been 3.  We drop to 7th.

We lose Garratt for two weeks and we lose Hinds for a week and a half, that's a blow.

Home - Barnsley
Pre-match Forde starts in net.  Newell and Smallwood go into midfield with Hyndman as the AMC.  Win would be nice.
First half Massive mistake lets in Keane but Davies saves, should of scored.  So close!  Mattock of all people gets played in but his shot hits the post!  What's probably goal of the season from Adam Hammil.  Ward heats out and 25 yards he just volleys it into the top corner after 30 minutes it's 1 - 0.  It's 2 - 0 in the 2nd.  Scowen crosses it bounces off Winnall and Campbell hits in, lucky I guess.  We're shocking though.  Half time.  Going 4 - 4 - 2 attack.  Stats wise we're better but.. we're not.
Second half 2 - 1 in the 50th minute.  Mattocks cross is hit in after a good bit of play from Rotherham. 25 minuts left, Fisher goes RM and Rawson replaces Taylor and goes RB.  Alfie on for Ward and Kasim on for Hyndman.  Can we atleast get a point?  We can't it's 3 - 1.  Andrew Shinne just scored a 30 yard freekick.  That's two quality goals from Barnsley today. Full time.
Post-match Another poor game.  We'll be lucky to get in the play offs now.  They were 20th and we'll have some annoyed fans.

Away - Leeds United
Pre-match Garratt and Hinds are back, let's pick it up.  We've won all 3 games vs Leeds so far in this save, let's keep it going.
First half Keane does brilliant and bends a cross but Hinds nods wide, he should of scored.  1 - 0 to Rotherham.  We counter and Fisher up to Keane, Williams tackles Keane but we get a bit of luck with the ball still being with Keane.  This leave Hinds totally open 4 yards out with no one marking and onside, Keane crosses and Hinds heads in.  HOW DID THAT GO IN!?  It's 1 - 1.  Pachecho plays Doukara in and there's no room to shoot but Garratt palms into his net, awful.  COME ON!  SO LUCKY.  Ping pong in the box and Doukara hits it, pongs again, hits it and comes off Kasims back and in, the luck we're having is awful.  Half time and I yell at the team.
Second half 30 minutes left, attacking 4 - 4 - 2.  Newell, Alfie and Hendrie on.  Mattock, Ward and Hinds off.  COME ON MILLERS!  We get a bit of luck from Balls longball and Keane shoots instead of laying off Alfie! 5 minutes left!  He did it again!  Cross comes in and he heads off instead of flicking on!?  Garratt makes a great save to deny Doukara his hat-trick.  I am on overload pump ball up now tbf.  It's full time.  
Post-match This poor run has to end soon.  We're making dumb mistakes and missing great chance, how can I put that down to tactics?

Two games left, can we miss the play off?

Away - Bristol City
Pre-match We have to win, nothing else.  Belaid comes in for Baldwin, he's very much out of form.  Hinds is on the bench for this one.  We're 9th and Hull is out last game.  If we beat Hull we have a chance, but we HAVE to beat Bristol City.
First half It's 1 - 0.  Flint hits in Bolados cross.  We're struggling here.  Half time and going to my old attacking 4 - 3 - 3.
Second half  30 minutes left, 3 subs and a strange tactic.  If we don't win, we're not in the play offs, it's all out.  There's 1 in the 78th minute!  Ball heads in Belaids flick after Newells corner!  12 minutes to go, can we get a winner? NO!  It's 3 - 1.  Freeman goes to play in Bolado, Belaid blocks but only back to Freeman who plays in a better ball.  That's our playoff hopes lost.
Post-match Gutted, we'd played so well until the past month.  We were pushing for 2nd, now we're going to finish 10th.

Home - Hull City
Pre-match Whatever, let's get a win. Going to be hard, Kuki is a player too good for this league.
First half   Hinds plays in Keane who doesn't stay is well and shoots on his weak foot well over.  Another mistake... Freekick and Garratt palms onto his post and somehow doesn't collect before Dawson gets in to hit.  Not sure if that's some weird bug.  Wolves have hit the bar twice, we're struggling and it's half time.  Murphy on for Taylor.  Going to try Winger + IF/A.
Second half It's 1 - 1.  Kasim hits a freekick from just outside the box.  Ball wins the header from a corner but keeper takes.  10 minutes left, NEwell and Alfie on for Ward and Keane.  It's 2 - 1 to Hull.  Mason squares Elmohamady and he hits in from outside the box.  Full time.
Post-match Close game but still dissappointing.

That's mental.  The Preston game we were pushing 2nd and we go on an awful run and finish 11th.  Fans aren't happy I won't change tactic.  If you watch the games, the goals I'm conceded/attacks I'm missing isn't down to a tactic.  

End of Season

Table:

Not a bad thing!

It's time to sell some players and rebuild with frees and loans.  We can push for the playoffs but we really do need some stronger wide players, both defensively and attacking.

[SpillBlood]

Season 3

The team:

(+ Belaid but he's in the U23s with a serious injury)

Transfers:

Goalkeepers:

In:

Jamie MacDonald - he'll be cover for Garratt who's had alot of bids for him, all insults.  Every team throws in "winning the FA cup".  Like.. not gonna happen.

Florian Andreani - U23 Goalkeeper signed for a year.

Out:

David Forde - Retired and is among the U18 staff.

Defenders:

In:

Reece James - Solid LB, looked really good and had a great season for Wigan.  Starting LB and an improvement on Mattock and Hendrie.

Urtzi Iriondo - Cover to challenge James, on loan from Bilbao and only costing 1.8k P/W which is great.

Jordan Williams - Versatile defender signed free from Liverpool.  Can play CB/RB/CM/DM which to me is great.

Connor Roberts - Brought in to challenge Fisher, he's been injured so far which is a shame.

Baily Cargill - To play the LCB slot which he is doing really well.

Filip Dagerstal - Cover CB/MC where I felt I was light.  Looks good so far, Belaid being out and selling more midfields he was the right option.

Out:

Joe Mattock - To get cash for him I'm happy.  Was injured alot and wasn't cutting it.

Stephen Hendrie - Never really hit the ground running, didn't work for me.

Midfield:

In:

Borja Lasso - MC/AMC the Hyndman replacement.  Can play on the left if need be.  Had a slow start but looks good and only 24.

Ryan Hedges - Replacement for Murphy, backup for Ward.

Out:

Will Vaulks - Never really performed for me and wanted first team football which he was never going to get over Smallwood or Kasim.

Lee Frecklington - Age wasn't on his side and I let him go.

Strikers:

In:

Will Grigg - He's been great so far.  Was signed for nothing and worth a punt.  Good enough stats and didn't do too bad at Wigan.

Jordy Hiwula - Only 22 and has pace.  Interesting to see how he's going to play.  He's different to Keane/Grigg and it'll be useful.

Out:

Adam Le Fondre - Was only a year deal and wasn't going to change.  Wanted younger blood in.

 

Pre-Season + August

I don't think Pre-Season went great.  I know we won 3 out of 4 but we lacked in games, it's why I keep tweaking my tactic which is starting to work.   It's really not much different to the tactic I used at the end of last season.  Like I said then, it was the players missing chances and making mistakes.

Home - Derby County
Pre-match Pre-season was hit and miss to be honest.  Small tweak in tactic in pre-season and trying it here, we'll see how it goes.  
First half 1 - 0 to Rotherham!!! 17th minute Ward puts in a lovely cross.  Taylor rises unmarked and heads in!  2 - 0!!!  24th minute!  Iriondos freekick is flicked on by Smallwood and Cargill on his debut slots in!  "A tepid first half things can only get better".  We're 2 - 0 up, we don't care!
Second half  30 minutes left.  Lasso and Grigg come on to make their debut replacing Hinds and Keane.  Red card!  Grigg is fouled whilst dribbling by David Meyler who is booked for his second yellow!  25 minutees with 10 men!  Wow!  Should of been 3 - 0!  Corner comes in and somehow Ball heads over unmarked!  It's full time.
Post-match Even stats except the proper chances, we created them and put them away.  Cracking win and start to the season!

Away - Notts County
Pre-match Outfield 10 changed.  Expect a win.
First half 1 - 0 Rotherham after 25 minutes.  Forde hits in a cracking bending freekick.  26th minute it's 1 - 1!  Thompson corsses and Starkey heads onto the bar.  Snijders hits in the rebound.  Should be 2 - 1!  Grigg has a chance to shoot but it's at the keeper.  What the hell, that has to be a hug?  It's 2 - 1 Notts County.  Cross comes in and Garatt saves only using 1 hand palming onto himself into the back of the net?  That's... strange.  2 - 2 minutes later.  James scores in the 35th minute with a wicked cross that bends in.  What a weird game.  Half time.
Second half 3 - 2 in the 56th minute!  Grigg hits in Fordes cross!  25 minutes left.  Smallwood and Hinds on for Lasso and Birigimana.  It's 4 - 2 in the 80th minute!  Fordes cracking ball to Grigg and what a shot it is, outside the area bends in top corner keeper has no chance.  It's 5 - 2!  Newell crosses and it ends up at the back with Hedges who slots in for a debut goal.  5 - 3!  Snijders hits in Richards cross in the 90th minute!  Full time.
Post-match Cracking games, too man conceded and the AMC slot really suffered this game.  Still a win is a win!  Forde and Grigg combined lovely.

ELF Cup 3rd Round:

We absolutely should quality for the 4th round.

Wow, are they the team this year?  Reading just beat Brighton 7 - 1!

Away - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-match Grigg and Forde have to start, they were superb vs Notts County.  Going to be a tough game for sure.
First half Unlucky, Jordan Graham goes on a solo run and it's only just over.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Fisher is played through on the overlap by Kasim, he crosses low and Hinds hits in after 37 minutes.  Half time.
Second half 1 - 1 in the 51st minute.  We clear but it's crossed back in by Rispoli, Graham heads down for Lawrence smash in.  3 subs, Lasso on for Ward, Keane on for Grigg and Taylor on for Forde.  See if we can get a winner.  30 minutes to go.  It's 2 - 1 to Wolves!  Graham crosses and Boovarson hits in.  15 minutes left, can we equalise?  Full time.
Post-match Jordan Graham was just too good.  Can't complain at that.

Home - Swansea City
Pre-match Going to be a difficult game for sure.  Some changes and a small tactic tweak, we'll see how it goes.
First half So close!  Lovely play down the right from Rotherham.  Fisher crosses in and Hinds heads it onto the bar.  Swansea should of scored from a corner but Garratt catches.  Both teams are looking good going forward but they're lacking the cutting edge, it's half time.
Second half 30 minutes left.  Lasso, Grigg and Ward on.  Hedges, Keane and Hinds off.  Can we get the winner?   Heaton makes a good save to deny Lasso but Grigg could of played him in earlier.  Going to 4 - 3 -3 attack to try and get a winner.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 84th minute!  We counter and we counter well, Fisher crosses and Grigg is clear to tape in!  Red card!  Van Ginkel fouls Lasso from behind to recieve his second yellow.  Full time!
Post-match We won and won vs a team that has some quality players.  They had double our shots but most of them were solo efforts/long shots that never threatened.

Away - Birmingham City
Pre-match Small tactic tweak to see if I can bring the ST/AMC combo into the game more.  We'll see.
First half Solomon gets played in for Garratt saves!  Ohh what a hit!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Newell passes to Taylor who turns and smahses it from the edge of the power with real venom after 36 minutes.  Half time.  Smallwood and Cargill on for James and Kasim as they're booked.
Second half What a save.  Hinds chips the ball to the back and Taylor gets on it.  Lewis Price who never got a chance with me pulls out an amazing save.  Ward has had a bad game but a bit of luck and the ball is coming to him and he only has to head in but he heads straight to Price.  Seems that he's going to be subbed! 30 minutes lft and Hedges on for Ward.  Another sitter!  Newell does brilliant to play in Taylor and he puts the ball across goal, Grigg runs onto it and somehow hits the post!  We're playing very well but we need the second goal.  It's there minutes later.  74th minute and Newell plays a nice ball to Hinds who plays in Grigg who slots past Price.  It's 3 - 0!  77th minute.  Ball is cleared only to Smallwood who tries to let one fly.  It's blocked and a challenge is put in before he can hit again.  The ball lands to Newell though who turns and hits in.  Newell has been brilliant in the DLP today, he'll be MotM for sure.  Full time.
Post-match We were brilliant.  We could of had more.  Really good game.

Home - ELF Cup 3rd Round - Birmingham City
Pre-match 10 outfield changes again.  Hiwula is fit and he makes the bench and hopefully he'll make his debut today.  Let's see if we can carry straight on from the Saturday game vs Birmingham.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham after 27 minutes.  We do well down the left and Hedges plays a ball through to Borja.  He crosses and Keane pokes in.  Half time.  Hiwula is going to replace Forde for his debut!
Second half So close to being 1 - 1.  Aroso hits the bar from a corner and we manage to clear! 20 minutes left and Dagerstal and Kasim come on for Smallwood and Birigimana.  2 - 0 to Rotheram in the 75th minute.  Lucky goal really.  Borja puts in the corner and Hiwula runs in and gets his head on it.  The ball hits Adams, Hiwula tries to get to it but Kingsley is in the way.  Price can't gather and Cargill puts it in.  It's 2 - 1 in the 83rd minute!  Solomon centers and younster Odin Bailey hits in for his first senior goal, drills low past Garratt.  It's 3 - 1 to Rotherham.  Corner comes in but Cargill heads at a weird angle and no one can react.  Baldwin collects down the right wing and pases to Dagerstal who one twos with Baldwin.  Dagerstal shoots and Price saves but fumbles and Keane pokes in.  Full time!
Post-match Strange game, bit of luck.  We were the better side though.

EFL Cup 3rd Round:

That'll be a good challenge.  I wonder if we'll run into Hyndman.

We're currently sat in 3rd and hoping to keep this form going.  There's no reason we cannot push for the play offs or even promotion this time round.  We have some very good players.  We just have to make chances count and cut out the mistakes we saw last season.

[SpillBlood]

September

Grigg is injured for 4 - 5 weeks :(.

Home - Newcastle United
Pre-match We need form in this one.  I've managed to draw once vs Newcastle but lose three times.  They're top of the league with 4 out 4 with GD +8.  They've scored atleast 2 a game so far except 1 cup game, damn this'll be hard.
First half All too easy and Newcastle score in the 2nd minute.  Saivet(Yep, Henri!) slots in Ayoze and he smashes it in.  Our passing needs to be better.  It's 1 - 1, that's much better.  Good passing move and Keane plays Ward in down the left, he passes down the 6 yard box and at the back post find Taylor to slot in after 7 minutes.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham in the 26th minute!  Kasim wins the ball back and we counter.  Ball plays up to Keane and the attacking 4 play really well together.  Taylor crosses and Keane hits in.  Half time.  We've been really good after the first 5 minutes!
Second half This is football that'll get me into the premier league.  Yep, it's 3 - 1 to Rotherham in the 46th minute.  Hinds passes to Keane who unleashes one outside the box and Krul has no chance.  That's a red!  Surely!  Yes, he's off for his second yellow.  Keane gets played through and only Hanley to beat, he fouls Keane and on the 47th minute it's 10 men Newcastle!  And it's 4 - 1 to Rotherham!  Kasim hits in the freekick from outside the box.  30 minutes left.  Baldwin replaces Cargill and Lasso replaces Hinds.  We both have ten men!  Kasim gets a second yellow for fouling Ayoze with 20 minutes to go.  Newell makes way for Smallwood.  It's 4 - 2!  Shelvey plays a sweet ball to Ayoze on the left, he centers and Mitrovic hits in on the 80th minute.  Is this a come back?  It isn't, it's full time.
Post-match What a game, might go down as game of the season.  We were brilliant!

Away - Barnsley
Pre-match Want to get revenge!  Barnsley are 19th and we're playing well.
First half Two missed interceptions and Winnall is played through, Garratt makes a good save!  It's 1 - 0 to Barnsley.  Hinds doesn't track Scowen and Winnall plays him through.  Looks like he was wanting to the CBs to retreat for offside but they didn't.  Barnsley hit the post following a corner!  We have to up our game here.  It's 2 - 0.  Coureur crosses and Scowen hits in after 36 minutes.  We're sinking without a trace.  Half time and changing to 4 - 4 - 2 with all 3 subs.  Birigimana, Williams and Hiwula on.  Ward, Hinds and Smallwood off.
Second half What a shot, it's 2 - 1 in the 55th minute.  Williams passes to Keane who spins round his marker and smashes it in, keeper has no chance.  Close for Barnsley and it'd of been 3 if it wasn't for Garratt.  We go attacking for the last 10 minutes, can we get a draw?  It's full time.
Post-match Barnsley won't be down the bottom long if they play like that.  They were brilliant.  We need to play better to keep the promotion push going.

Home - Brentford
Pre-match A few changes.  Roberts will make his debut at RB.  James is back after having food poisoning and back at LB.  Dagerstal goes CB.  Kasim replaces the suspended Smallwood in midfield.  Lasso replaces Hinds at AMC.
First half 1 - 0 to Rotherham after 12 minutes.  Lasso plays a nice ball to Roberts on the right, he crosses and Keane volleys in! Unlucky! Ward crosses and it's cleared back to Ward, he crosses again and Taylor volleys it but only onto the bar.  It's 1 - 1 in the 24th minute.  Judge sets up Lee Chung-Yong who isn't marked well enough and hits in.  It's a penalty to Rotherham.  Hogan fouls Ball when the corner comes in but Keane misses the penalty!  Mawete stops it and gathers the loose ball.  It's half time.
Second half Macleod hits a freekick from 20 yard and hits the bar, unlucky.  It's all Brentford in the 2nd half.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham though!  James hits a cross from deep and Keane has left his marker and volleys in after 60 minutes!  Should be 2 - 2 but Garratt somehow saves Cummings shot, bad miss.  Should of been Keanes hat-trick.  Borja crosses from the left and Keane runs onto it and heads at goal but straight to the keeper!  It's 3 - 1 to Rotherham in the 73rd minute!  Corner comes in and it's cleared only to Kasim who passes back to James.  He crosses and it's not dealth with properly.  Taylor picks up and centers for Kasim to smash in.  15 minutes left and Hinds, Birigimana and Williams come on for Kasim, Ward and Lasso.  Full time.
Post-match Not sure what changed the game but after the first 15 minutes of the second half where we were getting battered it changed and we were the better team.  Good win.

Away - Blackburn Rovers
Pre-match Alot of changed due the Tuesday game vs Brentford.  Let's see if any of the lads push for a starting place.  Hedges and Hiwula are the wingers.
First half What a goal!  Kasim bends in a freekick from 30 yards after 3 minutes!  19th minute it's 1 - 1.  Josh Sims hits in Kanes cross.  21st minute it's 2 - 1 to Blackburn!  Brock-Madsen hits in Mahoneys flick from Dacks freekick.  It's 2 - 2.  Keane flicks the ball on and neither Blackburns CB or keeper gather.  Hinds runs in and volleys it into the net.  Half time and it's 2 - 2.
Second half What a hit.  Freekick hits the wall and ends up with Akpan who smashes it into the top corner from outside the box.  It's 3 - 3!  Kasims freekick deflects off the wall and into the back of the net.  10 minutes to go, can either side find a winner?  It's 4 - 3 to Rotherham!  Hiwula hits in Iriondos cross after it's helped on by Lowe tackling Hinds!  5 minutes left and subs on to defend this lead!  Ball, Williams and Newell on.  Hedges, Baldwin and Fisher off.  It's 4 - 4!  We clear and Kane just hits in a cross.  Mahoney somehow gathers turns and hits it.  That's awful defending from Ball, it really is.  Full time.
Post-match To most that'll be a classic.  Some quality goals in there.  Awful defending from us imo though.

Home - ELF Cup 3rd Round - AFC Bournemouth
Pre-match Will be a tough game, just want the lads to give it a go.
First half Penalty!  Lasso crosses in and Taylor heads back to Keane.  Wilsons foot is high on Keane.  Keane steps up and.... slots in the top corner!  1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 29th minute.  It's 2 - 0!  Quick passing from Taylor to Smallwood who plays in Ward who smashes in after 35 minutes.  Close!  Keane leads the counter and he crosses in but it's blocked.  He crosses again and Taylor heads at the back post.  Federici manages to get down to save.  SO close! James hits in a freekick and Ball gets his head to it.  It hits the bar!  Half time and we're playing great.  Williams replaces Roberts before he gets sent off.
Second half 20 minutes left and Hiwula and Hinds replace Lasso and Taylor.  Full time!
Post-match What a win!  That was awesome from us.  We dominated the game.  They had 5 shots, 1 on target, 0 CCCs.  We had 21 shots, 8 on target, 2 CCCs.  Feels good!

We can win this one!

Home - Millwall
Pre-match A couple of changes from the Bournemouth game but we played too well to change too much.  Hinds replaces Lasso, Kasim replaces Newell and Cargill replaces Baldwin on the bench.
First half Oh what a goal. 20 yard screamer from Will Keane gives Rotherham the lead in the 23rd minute.   Good hit and it's 1 - 1.  Jandro hits in from the edge of the area in the 29th minute.  It's 2 - 1.  Lovely passing from Hinds and Keane and Keane plays through Taylor who hits in after 33 minutes.  Newell replaces Ward as he's picked up a knock.  Half time.
Second half It's 3 - 1.  Hinds plays in Will Keane who shoots and Archer gets a hand too it but it still goes in.  It's 3 - 2!  Ngoy is played through by Thompson and he hits it with sheer power.  Garratt gets hand do it but it goes in after 53 minutes.  30 minutes to go.  Lasso comes on for Kasim and Cargill comes on for Dagerstal.  Can we keep the lead?  We can!  It's 4 - 2.  Borja Lasso hits in Taylors chipped pass.  It's 4 - 3! Jandro does James and carrys round, crosses across the goal mouth and O'Brien hits in at the back post after 76 minutes!  Mental game this one!  What a hit.  It's 5 - 3!  We're attacking, crosses coming in etc.  Fisher wins it back, lays off Hinds who smashes it from outside the area and in after 79 minutes.  Full time.
Post-match What a game.  That has to be put down as a classic.  It's amazing how well Hinda has done since I changed his AMC role to AP-S!  Keane has been brilliant this season since Grigg got injured, not sure how he's going to get back in!

Player of the month!

Young player of the month!

Sure it's the first time any of my players have won an award at Rotherham!  Let's keep it going!

October

Away - Hull City
Pre-match Tough game.  Only change is Lasso in for the injured Ward.
First half Thought it was 1 - 0 but Dagerstal is just offside! Gutted.  What a save!  Hull counter and they have some pace in the side.  Hernandez volleys in and Garratt saves!  Half time!
Second half 15 minutes left.  Hiwula, Newell and Birigimana on for Hinds, Keane and Lasso. We're playing alright was hoping to see Keane hit one in.  Full time.
Post-match Really wasn't a classic.  Both teams defended well.  I'm happy with a draw and a clean sheet.

Away - MK Dons
Pre-match Rotating the squad a bit.  Some need a rest and I don't want to pick up injuries when we have Leeds next.  Small tweak to put the left side as the supporting side and letting Hiwula play IF on the right.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 26th minute.  Roberts crosses, Hedges heads back in and Hiwula hits in!  So close! Birigimana tries to play Hiwula through and it's cleared back to him.  He smashes it but it's the bar he hits!  Half time.  Roberts is off for Williams due him being booked.
Second half Thought it was in!  Hiwula cuts in and no one can catch him, he shoots and it's JUST wide.  What a save.  Championship top scorer Kieran Agard gets played through and should score but Garratt gets a strong hand to it.  30 minutes left and Grigg returns for Keane!  Another great same from Garratt!  Hiwula only has to play it out to Williams and somehow loses the ball.  MK Dons counter and it's with Bowditch in a spot where Ward loves smashing them in, he shotos and Garratt saves!  MK Dons are pushing here.  Can we hold on? It's 2 - 0!  Such a scrappy goal.  Birigimana plays in Hiwula and he manages to get a foot on it with his pace.  He hits it against Walsh and it deflects to the keeper.  The keeper fumbles it and Hiwula hits the post with the rebound.  It falls straight infront of the net for him to hit in!  Close!  Lovely attacking play, Newell plays in Grigg and you're thinking shoot!  He plays a smart ball to Hiwula but Walsh makes the interception, if he didn't it'd of been 3.  Agard scores but he's well offside!  Ah come on he's done it again.  It's 2 - 1.  Long ball played over and somehow Iriondo messes it up.  Agarad centers and Ambrose smashes in the top corner in the 87th minute.  Can we hold on again? Full time!
Post-match Would of liked a clean sheet and a win is a win.  Williams and Cargill were solid at the back.

Just got this :).

Home - Leeds United
Pre-match We've got a good record vs Monk.  Let's keep it that way!
First half Should be 1 - 0 up!  Keane plays in Hedges and he somehow hoofs over.  Not just smashes, HOOFS.  That's much better from Hedges!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Hinds passes to him outside the box, he runs, turns and smashes off the post and in after 31 minutes.  Half time!
Second half It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham!  Ball heads in James' cross.  25 minutes left and Williams goes into midfield to replace Smallwood.  Hiwula replaces Taylor and Grigg replaces Keane.  Going to change to W-S and IF/A again.  Should of scored.  Our defense get pulled out and Chris Wood is just outside the box, free and he hits the post.  Had so much to aim for.  Full time!
Post-match I gotta be honest.  I don't think we played well.  But 2 - 0 victory over Leeds is something I'll happily take.  We play counter so we're not going to have as many shots etc but the defende was solid, that has to be said.  Just lacked in the wider areas/midfield.

Away - Brighton and Hove Albion
Pre-match They're doing shocking. 22nd after 12 games with 1 win.  We should be winning here.  I say that but they have too good a team to be sat 22nd.
First half Hedges is on the left side of the 6 yard box and his shot is too tame and Ward saves easily, good chance there.  It's 1 - 0 to Rortherham!  Quality ball through from Keane plays Hinds in and he smashes into the net.  Good change for Brighton from a corner, it's flicke don and Graham heads over.  It's 2 - 0!  Great passing from Rotherham.  Hedges to Hinds who plays through Keane who slots low into the corner.  It's 2 - 1!  Great counter by Brighton and Pugh is free on the left, he crosses in and Joao volleys into the net from 6 yards.  Half time!
Second half Should be 2 - 2.  Garratts give them two chances from poor kick out.  Brighton play the ball over the top and Graham volleys it but Garratt gathers easy.  That's so damn lucky.  It's 2 - 2!  Fisher hits it, it bounces off Pugh and sets up Graham to hit in.  OHH WHAT A HIT! Good passing from Rotherham but I can't see where the shot is coming from.  Kasim just chips it in from 20 yards out after 53 minutes.  61st minute, Hiwula replaces Taylor and goes IF-A and Hedges goes W-S.  Cargill also replaces Ball.  This is an edgy final 5 minutes!  We keep losing the ball in key areas and they counter but we're defending well.  It's full time!
Post-match Kasims strike wins us this game.  That was such a solid game!  A win is a win for sure!

Home - Cardiff City
Pre-match We've won 5 of our last 5 home games but with the ELF cup game coming up and this coming 3 days after the Brighton game I'm rotating all 10 outfield players.
First half Penalty!  Newell goes for a run into the box and Valery fouls him! 33rd minute, Grigg steps up and... slots into the left side!  1 - 0.  Half time!
Second half It's 2 - 0!  Hiwula heads in Iriondos cross.  Awful by Declan John as he misses his headed effort to clear giving Hiwula a free header.  Last 10 minutes Forde comes on for Newell.  Only sub I'm going to use.  Full time.
Post-match That was a poor game but its 3 points to the Millers.  Baldwin played very well at CB and might push Ball onto the bench.  OH!  We're top of the table, sweet!

Away - ELF Cup 4th Round - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Ward is back and goes into the starting eleven.  
First half Keane some brilliant.  Takes two men on but Hayes makes a top draw save.  What a save.  Nydam looks like he's going to pass but decides to shoot, it's going top corner but Garratt gets a hand to it.  Two subs at half time.  Birigimana on for Smallwood and Lasso on for Ward who has a gash in his leg.
Second half It's 1 - 0!  We counter and Birigimana plays in Taylor who slots low and it's helped in by Hayes in the 46th minute.  It's 2 - 0. Such a quick counter.  Pass to Taylor who hits a lovely ball to Keane.  Great first touch and second touch is in the back of the net after 54 minutes.  Red card!  What a horrible tackle.  Flynn Downes goes into Taylor from behind.  10 men for 30 minutes.  WHAT A GOAL!  Kasim freekick from 30 yards out.  Ohhh I'm uploading that one. Ohhh what a hit it's 4 - 0.  Lasso crosses and Hinds just volleys it into the net.  Full time.  What a second half.
Post-match What a result.  That was a brilliant second half.  I'd play the same team as we have Ipswich next but Birigimana has picked up a knock.  That goal by Kasim is so so good.  Better than this chip vs Brighton!

All I've changed is my RB to support and not attack and we've not conceded since, that's pretty interesting.

Tactic:

I use Counter - Flexible.

 

 

I'd recommend Kasim to any team that aren't top 6 Premiership, he's so damn good.

Will be my last update for a few days.  It's BLIZZCON! :D.

 

[Bedese]

Unbelievable start to the new season! What are the Team/Individual instructions you have on your tactic, if there are any?

[johnstonpickle]

Excellent progress made here dude. Took your advice on Kasim, so far he's struggling along with rest of the team though! 

[SpillBlood]

This didn't even show in my notifications.  I had to change tactic as with an update it just stopped working, I'll post that in a minute.  Kasim gels well with my squad, that's a shame! 

[SpillBlood]

November

Away - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Lasso starts at AML as Ward is injured and Smallwood goes into the middle to replace Birigmana who's also injured.  Other then that no need to change after thumping them in the cup.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Ipswich in the 41st minute.  We keep tackling but they get the ball back, they pass into the area.  Ward to McGoldrick who smashes in from 8 yards.  It's half time and we're playing awful.  Yelling time.
Second half What a save.  Ball misses the interception and McGoldrick is through.  Garratt saves!  30 minutes to change.  Williams, Grigg and Hedges come on for Smallwood, Lasso and Hinds.  Going 4 - 4 - 2.  Freddie Sears cuts in and smashes one from 30 yards and it's only just over.  We're starting to look better, had some half chances but nothing that'll get us a goal.  Oh what a goal by Cole Skuse.  Sheaf crosses in and he volleys it into the net.  2 - 0 in the 67th minute.  71st minute it's 2 - 1!  Quick passing, Keane to Grigg who turns and hits in.  Can we draw!?  The post in the 75th minute!  Hedges cuts in and it looks like it's going in but it's the post.  It's a red card to Ipswich!  Keane is tripped by Webster for his second yellow.  5 minutes left and Overload!  It's full time!
Post-match So poor in the first half and we didn't make chances to get the game in the end.  We're now 2nd.  We gotta pick it up for the Nottingham Forest game.

Home - Nottingham Forest
Pre-match Baldwin comes in for Dagerstal and Cargill makes the bench in Baldwins place.  Hedges stats at AML and Lasso goes to the bench.
First half Penalty!  We're putting balls into the box, passing through.  Keane passes to Taylor and he's chopped down by Dani Pinillos.  Players going mad at the ref, not like he dived with that.  Keane steps up and... it's in! Just in the 6th minute.  Evtimov got a hand to it.  Damn, Taylors injured in the 10th minute!  Hiwula replaces.  Scrappy game and it's 1 - 0 at the break.
Second half Close!  Hiwula switches flank with a lovely ball, Hedges crosses and Hinds gets his head to pit.  Evtimov somehow saves it.  It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham!  Good attacking move and we knock back out wide for Fisher to cross in.  Lansbury tackles Hinds and we get a bit of luck it falls to Hiwula to knock in.  Lucky again to make it 3 - 0 in the 60th minute!  James hits in the corner and it's headed onlly to Hedges, his volleys it onto Lichajs head and in!  Newell and Williams replace the booked Fisher and Smallwood in the 61st minute.   It's 3 - 1.  Lichaj smashes it over the top and Kazaiah Sterling gets onto it and slots low past the keeper.  Kasim hits the top of the bar with a freekick and it's full time!
Post-match Now that's much much better.  It seems we love playing at home and hate playing away.

Taylor is out for 6 - 7 weeks so a tactic tweak is needed.

Away - Sunderland
Pre-match 1st vs 2nd.  I'd be happy with a point being away.  I'd be over the moon with a win.
First half What a miss!  We counter and hold the ball very well in the Sunderland half waiting for the right ball.  Hiwula is played in and it's such an easy chance and he hits it on his weaker foot wide.  He could of easily hit with his left.  Half time.  Sunderland perhaps the better side but we had the best chance!
Second half 20 minutes to go.  We go 4 - 4 - 2 with Williams, Forde and Grigg coming on for Hinds, Hedges and Hiwula.  Newell saves the day!  Corner comes in and Djilobodji hits the bar!  It lands to Joseulu and somehow Newell gets across to clear before he can hit the trigger.  Last 10 minutes, attacking and expolit the flanks.  Keane goes on a solo run and hits it from about 20 yards, feel he could of played it right!  Full time.
Post-match Hiwula could of won us that game.  It was a hard game though and I'm happy with a draw.

Just checked after the game why James took a freekick over Kasim and it seems my set piece lists were somehow wiped, how odd.

December

Home - Sheffield Wednesday
Pre-match Roberts starts as Fisher is suspended.  Lasso starts at AML and Hedges makes the bench.
First half Sheff Weds have been the better team by far but neither side has has a good chance.
Second half Wednesday should be up.  James somehow messes up a simple pass and they counter.  Cross comes in and it's a bad shot.  Very close!  30 yard drive for Sheffield Wednesday and Garatt palms onto the post.  They hit the bar again after a mistake at the back!  Last 10 minutes we go 4 - 4 - 2 attacking with Hedges, Forde and Grigg coming on for Lasso, Hiwula and Hinds. Full time.
Post-match Really annoyed at one part of that game.  We were attacking well.  Forde has Newell to pass behind or Roberts on the overlap.  He just didn't do anything and lost the ball when we had numbers forward.  

We're really missing Taylor.  The tactic change isn't working at all.

Away - ELF Cup Quater Final - Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-match Switched to normal tactic and sacked off the inside forward role Hiwula was playing.  A couple of changes for the cup game.  Let's see how we do.  If we don't lose by more than 3 I'll be happy.  Tottenham have some first team players on, especially the back 5.  But uptop they don't.  Can we expliot that?
First half Should of been a goal!  Tottenham counter but we win the ball and we counter back!  Hinds plays in Griggs but his shot is straight at Lloris.  It's 1 - 0 to Tottenham.  Griggs pass to Hinds is awful and Tottenham counter quickly.  Son is causing alot of problems and his pace gets them into a cracking position.  He plays it back and Yunus Malli slots in.  They think Garratt got beat too easy, I don't.  Half time!
Second half Small tweak to let Grigg play as an AF.  30 minutes left, no tactic change yet but Hiwula, Cargill and Smallwood come on for Dagerstal, Hedges and James.  Tottenham have been no better than us.  Going to give Hiwula and IF role and Fisher an attacking fullback role.  Grigg goes close but not close enough!  Hiwula is more like a wide target man here and it's causing problems!  It's full time though!
Post-match Unlucky!  We just needed to finish our chances.

Away - Queens Park Rangers
Pre-match If we play like we did in that second half we'll win this.  2nd vs 3rd.  Ball is out of form and dropped for Dagerstal.  Ward comes into the AML slot now he's back from injury.  Birigimana is back and starts for Kasim and Lasso goes to the AMC slot for Hinds as they're both very tired.
First half  Keane picks up a knock and Grigg comes in the 35th minute.  Poor first half.  Changing Grigg to AF and see if we can do something!  Since I came back to this save we've really struggled to score.
Second half 20 minutes left and going attacking 4 - 4- 2.  Newell and Williams come on for Smallwood and Lasso.  WHAT A GOAL.  Will Grigg goes on a brilliant solo run and hits it into the back of the net.  Hats off Grigg, you just made QPR look like mugs.  15 minutes to go!  Can't believe it's not 2 - 0!  We attack well, cross comes in and cleared only to Newell who crosses back and Ward flicks it onto the bar!  Full time!
Post-match We do the art of defending well.  We're lacking that spark we had uptop.  Will Grigg was he magician today though.  Gave us a nice 3 points.

Keane is not also out!  Can Grigg show us how it's done?

Asking alot!

Home - Burnley
Pre-match Tactic tweak to try and get a more going uptop. I know we play counter but sometimes we run out of ideas too quick.  Hinds has been very quiet recently.
First half Tactic is not working but in the 45th minute we have a penalty!  Hedges hits in the freekick and Vucur fouls Smallwood!  Grigg steps up and.. blasts in!  1 - 0 in the 45th minute!  Half time!
Second half It's 1- 1.  Gray wins the ball and Burnely counter.  Affield is played in Iriondo being asleep as per norm(James suspended).  He crosses and Gray hits it, Garratt gets a glove to it but it goes in.  20 minutes left.  3 subs being made, Garill, Williams and Forde replace Hedges, Roberts and Iriondo.  I'd take a draw at this rate!  Full time!
Post-match We were poor but Sunderland are also only drawing so we're only 2 points behind.

Away - Charlton Atheltic
Pre-match Hiwula comes in at IF again, given the fullbacks option to join up more and made the AML spot an AP role.  We need to try something diferent.
First half It's half time, both tems have had shots, but no good chances.
Second half 46th minute and it's 1 -0!  Really nice pasing from Rotherham, cross comes in but Newell wins the clearence.  Hiwula, Hinds play well together and Hinds sets up Grigg who hits it from just outside the box.  20 minutes to go.  Lasso, Hedges and Smallwood on.  Kasim, Hiwula and Ward off.  It's 2 - 0!  We counter but mess it up!  We manage to counter again and James' cross is headed in by Grigg in the 75th minute!  Full time!
Post-match Much better.  Grigg was awesome again.  Defense were really solid aswell.  We're top but that's because Sunderland play tomorrow!

Away - Derby County
Pre-match Let's continue to play like we did vs Charlton!
First half Too easy.  1 - 0 to Derby.  Corner comes in, Keogh unmarked heads back in to an unmarked Rawson!  Deserved a goal.  Lovely play from Rotherham but Hiwula can only hit the post.  What a hit!  It's 1 - 1!  Good attacking build up and Hiwula plays it to Hinds who comes back onside and unleashes a thunderbolt from just outside the area.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Good move again, Hinds does brilliant.  Takes on his man and then plays a lovely ball to Grigg in the box who smashes in after 40 minutes.  Should of been 3!  Lovely football again and Ward plays it out to James, he runs into the box to recieve his cross but Ward hits the bar!  Half time!  Kasim is coming off as I want 11 men on the pitch by the end of this game for Smallwood.
Second half Penalty to Derby!  Baldwin handballs, he's been amazing recently having a shocker here.  It's saved!  Garratt denies Martin!  30 minutes left and Cagrill replaces Baldwin with Lasso replacing Ward.  Garratt makes a huge save denying Vyrda after a lovely ball splits open the Rotherham backline.  There's another goal in this game for sure.  Derby are on overload!  1 minute of normal time left! Oh there's the damn goal.  It's 2 - 2!  Anya has been really good today, he crosses in and Camara gets his head too it.  I want to blame Grigg for that, instead of holding the ball up he pumped it to Caron for no reason.  Full time!
Post-match Cracking game, 2 - 2 is a fair result.

Away - Bristol City
Pre-match Smallwood comes in for the suspended Kasim.  Hiwula and Ward go to the bench and Lasso and Hedges become the wide players.
First half Thought it was 1 - 0!  Baldwins headed is just wide though.  Thought I could see a goal before half time!  Ball played out wide to James, he crosses in and Grigg heads in after 34 minutes!  Should be 1 - 1, Roberts is free from a freekick but heads wide.  Half time!  
Second half It's 2 - 0 after 52 minutes!  Hinds heads in James' cross! 30 minutes left.  Williams replaces Baldwin, Birigimana replaces Newell and Hiwula replaces Hedges.  It's 2 - 1.  Roberts free again pokes it in at the back post from Palmers freekick!  25 minutes left.  It's a penalty to Bristol City!  Hinds fouls!  Not sure who but he's been sent off!  10 men in the 88th minute! It's 3 - 2 to Bristol City in the 90th minute!  Inside the box and Paterson curls it in.  Full time.
Post-match Worst subs I've ever made.  It killed us and we lost!  Sunderland are 5 points clear and we're only a point ahead of QPR!

Home - Reading
Pre-match We gotta bounce back here!  Taylor is back!  Hopefully he'll give us an extra option.
First half Bamfords had a couple of chances and not hit any of them in!  Half time, even half.  
Second half Can't see where a goal is coming from.  Hiwula, Keane and Williams come on for Smallwood, Grigg and Lasso and we go 4 - 4 - 2 for the last 30 minutes.  It's make or break.  We've done it!  84th minute!  James' corner comes in and Newell gets his head onto it, bounces off the bar and in!  Full time!
Post-match Never thought I'd see a goal there and Newell gets the win for us, crackin'!

January

Changing season expectations from mid-table to top-half so get me some more wadge budget.

Home- Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-match Alot of changes so I can put a good team out against Man City in the cup!
First half Hedges gives the ball away needlessly and Wolves counter.  Woodburn has it in the box and hammers it in after 15 minutes.  It's in and 1 - 1.  Good play down the right and Roberts crosses in, oh seems it bounces off a Wolves defender onto the keeper and in!  Own goal! WHAT A GOAL.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Smallwood smashes in a lovely goal from 25 yards, keeper had no chance!  That was the 47th minute and half time.
Second half That's shocking keeping.  Graham crosses in and Woodburn gets his head to it.  Garratt fumbles into the net in the 45th minute and it's 2 - 2.  Another screamer!  Hinds hits it in from 20 yards out to make it 3 - 2 to Rotherham in the 54th minute.  60th minute and Ward replaces Forde.  Hedges and Ward switch flanks.  Last 10 minutes and Grigg and Newell replace Hedges and Keane.  A 4th goal would be lovely.  Grigg should of buried it.  Lovely play and Hinds sets it up but knocks widee!  That's 4 though!  88th minute and Coady knocks out the corner but Hinds hits it in! Full time!
Post-match Beating Wolves is cracking, beating them 4 - 2 is even better.

Away - FA Cup 3rd Round - Manchester City
Pre-match If we don't get beat 5 - 0 or something I'll be happy ^_^.  Wow, City are playing their first team!  It's okay though as we have Will Grigg.
First half Really good skill by Danny Welbeck(yep at City) but his curling shot is just wide.  It's 1 - 0 to City in the 22nd minute.  Aguero chests in Zabaletas cross. 23rd minute it's 2 - 0 to Manchester City.  Sterlings corner is headed on, flicked back in and hit in by Lindelof.  Too easy, It's 3 - 0.  City counter and Aguero counters running down the right and passes back to Sterling who is unmarked.  CB should be covering there.  We're getting hammered like I thought we would.
Second half It's 3 - 1!  Will Grigg scores!  James does brilliant down the left and Grigg pokes in his cross in the 57th minute! 30 minutes left and 3 subs. Hedges, Lasso and Cargill on.  Ball, Taylor and Hinds off.  It's 4 - 1 to City.  Quality play and Aguero is at the heart of it all.  Welbeck plays a ball through to Aguero for his brace.  It's 4 - 2!  66th minute.  Throw in from James, Ward passes to Lasso, Lasso passes to Hedges to hits in.  City are great uptop, they're not at the back.  Nothing to lose, let's attack for 15 minutes.  Full time.
Post-match Good effort.  The Aguero show for sure.

Players out

Wolves came in and he moaned when I rejected there first bid.  I wanted more.  He's played really well this season but that money is silly for him.  

1.1mil of it goes to Peterborough.

Been injured, contract expires soon and he's on 5k p/w so getting any money is good.

Going to look abroad for younger/cheaper players to bolster my squad.

Away - Swansea City
Pre-match I have alot of injuries and some transfers coming in.  Still a strong squad out but we're lacking a midfielder on the bench.  They still have Siggy, he's his way to At. Madrid for 22mil!
The match Somehow this didn't save! We won 2 - 0 with Lasso and Grigg scoring.  Was a very even game with Swansea hitting the woodwork twice.  Should of probably been a draw so a win was cracking.

Taylor replacement:

It's a name familiar with Rotherham fans!  The scouts rated him higher than Taylor and he only cost 450k!  Going straight into the first team.

Home - Birmingham City
Pre-match Ward goes straight into the AMR slot but same team from the Swansea match.  Feel tight Keane isn't starting but Will Grigg is doing so well.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 2nd minute.  Lovely attacking football.  Ward already has an assist to his name as his cross back in is volleyed in by Lasso!  It's 1 - 1 in the 20th.  Cagrill messes up with Morrisons chipped ball and Asoro knocks it past Garratt.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham in the 23rd minute.  Lovely attacking football again.  Lasso with a lovely ball outside, Fisher crosses and Grigg hits in.  That's a goal and a half.  25th minute it's 2 - 2.  30 yard strike from Tesche hits the post and in.  25th minute and Ball replaces Dagerstal before he gets sent off.  What a save!  Ward plays in Grigg but Rais M'Bolhi gets a strong hand to it and it's cleared.  We're the better team but somehow drawing!  Morrison gets infront of Grigg to deny his brace.  Was a quality cross from Fisher.  It's the post!  Grigg gets his head on James' cross onto the near post.  How are we not winning!?  Half time!
Second half Penalty to Rotherham!  Shotton fouls Newell!  Grigg steps up and it's in!  66nd minute he gets his brace.  It's red.  Baldwin makes a stupid challenge for his second yellow.  Roberts and Hiwula come on and a tactic change.  We've been the best team.  I hope we don't throw it away.  Nope we score instead!  4 - 2.  Quick passing and Grigg puts a slicing ball through and Hiwula smashes it onto the bar and in after 87 minutes.  Full time!
Post-match We were brilliant.  We have a midfield suspended, one an international duty and two injured.  It's showing when Baldwin goes into the middle and gets sent off!

Work Permit Rejected:

Boo!  Phakamani Mahlambi would of been such an ideal signing for the team and he'd of been on a free!  Work permited rejected and rejected on appeal.  Looks like I'm going shopping again!

Away - Newcastle United
Pre-match Hard game!  If we draw I'll be happy.
First half Ahh!  That was nearly an own goal luckily it's a corner!  Newcastle seem to attack the same way we do!  What =/  It's 1 - 0 to Newcastle after Mitrovic hits in Ayozes pass.  We should of won the ball and we kinda did, I can only see Cargill being fouled in the build up!  Half time and annoyed to be losing to a goal where my CB is fouled.
Second half Putting Keane and Hiwula on for Lasso and Hinds.  3 Strikers on, get the ball down the wings with the fullbacks and get that ball into the box.  We're the better team and I cannot believe we've not made a good enough chance to score.  It's full time.
Post-match Bitter is the word.  We didn't make a good enough chances it seems somehow Lasso made a mistake for them to score.  It's all a bit of a mess to see what actually happened.

Urtzi Iriondo has gone back to Bilbao after wanting more game time.  I didn't give him a chance but to be fair he never played well.  Think he had 1 good game out of 10.

Two loanees in!

First is a left back to push for James' spot.  We have a future fee for 115k incase he turns out golden but he has a lack of determination which could be a problem.

Next is a midfielder who can play the AML spot if needed.  He's only in as rotation but he's either footed is a good option.

They're trying to sign my regen!  It's deadline day!  Crystal Palace and Southampton are both after my youngster.  Hoping I can bring a player through the Rotherham ranks, he looks alright for a 16 year old!

End of January:

So, the stats.

Baldwin took Balls place at the back.  It's generally Baldwin and Dagerstal at the back now.  Grigg is by far the best singing in my squad(sorry Hinds).  He's been so so good.

I mean he pulls goals like this out to win games.  

Pros/Cons!  And there's ALOT more pros! ^_

Formation:

More attacking I'd say.  We play Counter - Flexible.  Higher tempo with look for overlap.  We had to change as my last tactic just stopped working, I tried to reload back to the old tactic file but it'd had been corrupted.  This is working nicely though I have to say.  Especially the wide players not being played as wingers.

League table:

We're in second by 7 points even after losing to Newcastle.  I feel we can get promoted.  I mean getting Grant in is a big plus and havin' that money for the summer will be great.  We've got a stronger squad, especially with injuries coming back then we did at the start of January so we can push on.  We won't win the league but we should finish 2nd.  Sunderland are the best side and they're showing it, top 3 average rating in the league are two Sunderland CBS and a Sunderland winger.  Mannone is the most clean sheets with 16, we're 2nd with 12.

I'll hopefully have the league done by Sunday night :).

[SpillBlood]

February

Home - Barnsley
Pre-match Bradshaw is always a threat, he's done well very well this season and his value is nearly 10mil!  If we can keep him quiet, we can win.
First half We've been the best team by far.  We just needed the goal and it came in the 44th minute!  Kasim plays the ball out wide, Fisher plays a low cross and Grigg hits in!  It's 2 - 0 in the 45th minute!  Good passing, slick ball by Grigg and Kasim slots in!  Half time!
Second half Good save Garratt.  Barnsley win the ball and counter, cross in and Winnall gets a head on it.  Diving catch by Garatt.  Penalty!  Cracking play from Rotherham and James bends in a cross, Grant Ward is fouled in the box by Long.  Grigg steps up and.. scores!  3 - 0 and his brace in the 50th minute.  Should of been hat-trick!  Cracking ball to James, he crosses and Grigg heads it onto the post!  20 minutes to go.  Lasso goes into the middle with Danny Ward and Hiwula replacing Grant Ward and Hinds.  WHAT A GOAL!!! Ohhh, will that be goal of the month!?  Cracking passing from Rotherham and Hiwula chips the ball to Lasso, he only just volleys it from 25 yards out!  That might need an upload!! 4 - 0 after 86 minutes.  Full time!
Post-match AMAZING.  Grigg was superb again but that goal by Borja Lasso.  Oh my.  Oh my oh my!  I have to upload it, it's so good in my opinon.

Had to offer Grigg a new contract.  He'll be on 16k a week at Rotherham!  If we get promoted he'll get a bumper deal aswell.  But I'd rather pay my best player that then lose him for 4million!

Away - Brentford
Pre-match I actually agree with my assistant here.  I've dropped Hinds to the bench, he's in poor form.  Enzo Zidane will make his Rotherham debut.  Apart from that it's the same team.
First half Close but it isn't our game.  We counter and Smallwood crosses for Ward to get his head on.  It's a bit back and Ward is never going to score with it, he's not a TM at all.  Game thinks he should of scored.  KASIM FREEKICK! 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  30 yard freekick in the bottom corner after 22 minutes.  Kasim is free in the box and should of doubled his tally but keeper saves easily enough.  Half time and it's close.  Roberts replaced Fisher and Newell replaces Smallwood with Kasim goes BWM.  They're both booked.
Second half We're drawing in the 73th minute.  Sawyers hits one in from outside the box.  We've been the better side and it's only there second shot on target.  4 - 4 - 2 attacking time.  Zidane comes off for Keane.  15 minutes to save this game.  Full time.
Post-match We were the best team by far.  Best chances, everything.  Drawing is really poor.

New contract!  He's worth it!  20% of the sell on fee was locked in and I had to agree too it.  Either that or I'd lose him for 4mil.

Fisher is out for 3 weeks.  That's a huge blow.  Can Roberts fill his boots?

Home - Blackburn Rovers
Pre-match They're 22nd.  I expect a clear win.  Their top scorer, also their lone striker for today had scored a whopping 5 all season.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 9th minute!  Ward rises up and HEADS IN James' cross.  Go on Grant Ward!  Ward nearly doubled his tally in the 13th minute but hits the bar.  Ward scores a second header in the 21st minute!  James whips in a cross and Ward is free at the back to head in.  James scores a fluke goal in the 23rd minute!  His cross curls into the net!  I thought Ward got his foot on it for hat-trick but it's James' goal!  Half time, we've been brilliant.
Second half Blackburn hit the bar!  James gets done, cross in and Sims hits the bar!  Garratt doesn't collect it and we clear!  4 - 0 to Rotherham.  James goes to cross and it's cleared back to him, second time he crosses and Grigg half volleys in.  Blackburn attack so well and deserve a goal but Mahoney hits the post.  Diomande steals the ball and should score but hits wide!  20 minutes to go.  Williams is back from injury and replaces Roberts.  Ball replaces Baldwin and Zidance replaces Hinds.  Full time!
Post-match Awesome result from the lads.  Blackburn had a couple of chances to get back in it, half of them from our own mistakes.  James and Ward were superb.  Only 4 points behind Sunderland!  What happened there considering we threw away 2 points at Brentford!

Player out on loan.

He's joined them until the new year and I'm fine with that.  He's dropped down the pecking order alot and he needs to play football and actually stay fit.  He'll hopefully come back with some value next January.

Away - Millwall
Pre-match They're bottom of the table by 11 points.  They've won 3 in 31 and lost 22.  Rotation to rest players as it's a Tuesday night game.
First half Cargill plays a quality ball to Zidane!  He tries a cheeky finishes and messes up!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  Yuri Riberio makes his debut and puts the ball across.  Keane peaks up and hits in.  Millwall struggle with people attacking down the left and it's our strongest area.  It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham.  Zidane goes for a long shot and it's a corker.  Archer manages to stop it but fumbles.  Hiwula uses his pace to get there first and knock in.  Millwall haven't been bad at all as we've been giving them chances, they're just not doing enough with them.  It's 2 - 1.  Millwall attack well.  Gregory does brilliant and plays in Ngoy who slots in after 38 minutes.  It's 3 - 1 in the 41st minute.  Zidane plays it out to Ribeiro who crosses in and Keane gets his head to it.  Half time.
Second half Ward picked up a knock so Zidane goes AML and Hinds replaces.  Should be 3 - 2.  Gregory plays a lovely ball into the box but Ngoy free somehow heads awfully wide.  Gregory goes forward with pace and smashes one but it's wide.  Full time.
Post-match "Rotherham bossed this one from start to finish".  That's what I like to read.  Sunderland lost so we're only 1 point behind!  This is getting interesting.

Home - Hull City
Pre-match Always a hard team to play.  I'd be happy with a draw.
First half Lasso steals the ball from Wilson and runs all the way from just outside his own penalty area into Hulls area, he strikes and Marshall saves and knocks out for a corner, unlucky.  It's 1 - 0!  Lasso plays a beautiful ball to James on the left, he crosses in and all 3 defenders somehow miss it.  Hinds runs in at the back post to hit in after 26 minutes.  Marshall parries a nothing cross but Dunk manages to clear!  Half time!  Hiwula replaces Ward, he's struggling today and feel he may get sent off!
Second half Fluke goal for Hull!  Cross comes in and Dagerstal volleys it out.  But it's onto Jodi Jones and it goes into the back of the net.  That isn't deserved!  Ball is crossed to Hiwula and he should of done better.  Weak header, could of even done more with it.  20 minutes left.  Newell replaces Kasim and Keane replaces Grigg.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham in the 72nd minute!  Hiwula switches flanks perfectly.  James swings in a brilliant cross and Keane nods in.  Is that a bit cocky?  Abel Hernandez takes a long shot and Garratt saves with his foot and picks up xD.  Full time!
Post-match Very very even game.  Draw was the fair result but I'm happy with the 3 points!

End of month awards:

Of course it was goal of the month, it was sheer quality.  Can you see the goal above.

Been a good month!  Should of been all wins but we threw the Brentford game away.

March

Home - MK Dons
Pre-match They're in good form but we're at home so I want to keep this momentum going.  Newell replaces Smallwood.
First half Half time.  We're the better side we need to make that chance.
Second half 30 minutes left.  Hiwula and Keane replace Ward and Grigg.  Smallwood replaces Hinds and we go 4 - 4 - 2 attacking.  Overload for the last 5!  Full time.
Post-match Tactic change really didn't work.  That was a bore draw.

Away - Leeds United
Pre-match  We have to play better than the MK Dons game vs our rivals!  I want a win.  Smallwood back in.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Leeds United.  They cross, we clear, they cross, we clear, they cross Doukara heads into the top corner after 9 minutes.  Half time, we've been pretty poor to be honest.  Go mental at the team at half time.
Second half We can't even tackle properly, Hinds tackles, ball lands to Ayling who back heels it through and Doukara smashes it into the top corner.  It's 2 - 0 to Leeds.  WE HAVE to change this, it's awful football.  30 minutes left and Keane replaces Hinds and we go 4 - 4 - 2 counter.  Come on Millers, wake up.  That was too close, Ayling crosses and Armstrong hits the bar.  We need to change this, again.  We go attacking and Williams replaces Smallwood.  We cannot defend, simple ball over and Doukara nearly has his hat-trick.  I do not get what we're doing.  It's full time.
Post-match We were awful, we never turned up.  Leeds were better than us in every part of the pitch.

Home - Bright and Hove Albion
Pre-match Tuesday night match.  10 outfield players changed.  Really not happy with how we played vs Leeds and Gigg hasn't scored in his past 4 games.  They all need a rest to be fair.
First half It's 1 - 0 to  Rotherham!  Hiwula throws it to Fisher who passes back he crossesa and Yuri Ribeiro volleys it in after 36 minutes!  Half time.
Second half I'm sat here like, wow Brighton are making it really tough for us aren't they?  They give us too much room down our left.  Ward hits a ball through to Yuri Ribeiro who crosses and Keane hits in after 46 minutes.  60th minute and Hedges who's  not played for awhile replaces Danny Ward.  Full time.
Post-match Yuri Ribeiro.  Played 2, scored 1, assist 3, PoM 1.  He looks brilliant.  Happy with the win with all the changes and a clean sheet.

Away - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Keeping the same 11 out, they did well and we have another Tuesday night game coming up.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 2nd minute!  Hiwula cuts in and takes it past him back and passes into the middle.  Kittie tackles but Newell gets the ball passes back to Hiwula who hits in.  Should be 1 - 1.  Kittie gets played in and he's on the right side of Riberio but somehow boots well wide.  It's 2 - 0 in the 24th minute!  Wards freekick is headed on by Hiwula and Newell hits in low.  Half time!  Kasim replaces Fisher and Williams goes to RB.
Second half It's 2 - 1 in the 52nd minute.  We gave them the ball from a bad kick out and they attacked, well good passsing and Dragomir sets up McGoldrick.  It's 3 - 1 to Rotherham in the 54th minute.  Ward slots a nice pass to Newell who hits it from outside the area, it deflects and goes in!  Hedges replaces Keane in the 72nd minute and Ward goes uptop.  Full time!
Post-match Very good win.  Newell was impressive it has to be said.

Away - Cadiff City
Pre-match Tuesday night game.  Alot of changes.  Only Newell keeps his spot in midfield as Smallwood is suspended.
First half Good save Garratt!  Manga is free at the back from a freekick and gets his head on it.  Garratt parries and we clear.  HUGE mistake.  Either the M.E can't make its mind up on someone who has 10 pace but Kasim wins the ball, and pases back to Garratt and Immers steals and puts in.  Kasim had so much time unless it decided otherwise.  Odd goal, big mistake from Kasim/Garratt.   Borja gets played in and somehow hits wide, should of been 1 - 1.  It's 1 - 1 in the 40th minute.  Grigg ends his drought by heading in James' cross!  Huge mistake makes it 2 - 1 to Rotherham in the 45th minute!  Grigg tries a lob chip to Grant Ward and John heads clear.. only to Hinds who smashes low into the net.  Williams replaces Kasim at half time.
Second half I knew a goal was coming.  Immers scored his second.  Everytime we cleared it was back to them.  LuaLua crosses, Wickham chests down and Immers hits it in.  20 minutes to go, a winner?  Going 4 - 4 - 2.  Keane replaces Lasso and Ball replaces Roberts.  Williams to RB, Ball to CB and Dagerstal to midfield with 10 minutes to go.  It's full time.
Post-match Cardiff were probably the better side, we failed to even pass to each other at times.  I'd take the draw because it could of easily been a loss.

To win the league now I'd have to win the last 8 games since 1 is against Sunderland and even then I still might not.

April + May

Away - Nottingham Forest
Pre-match Going to shake it up a bit.  Fisher is fit and back at RB, Ball comes in at CB and Ribeiro starts due to James being suspended.  Kasim is dropped to the bench and Smallwood can now play is back in.  Hiwula and Danny Ward take the wide positions.
First half 47 seconds into the game and Ribeiro is booked!  We're the better side but Forest are defending well.  Hobbs hits the bar from a freekick but Garatt collects!  It's 1 - 0 Forest and that's poor from us.  There's no way that Lichaj should be able to pass but he plays a ball to Ritzmaier who crosses and Lica hits the back post.  Half time and I've gone a bit mental at them.
Second half Grant Ward and Will Keane replace Hiwula and Grigg with 25 minutes to go.  Lasso replaces Hinds with 20 minutes to go and I switch to attacking.  It's saved!  Riberio crosses and Keane flicks on.  Grant Ward volleys it but McGee makes a great save.  It's 1 - 1.  Godd passing and Lasso plays in Keane who slots low in the 87th minute!  Much better since I let us attack and put both full backs to bomb up the wings and Newell to help defend.  Full time.
Post-match We weren't at the races for a while there but glad we got a draw.  Ball didn't play well.  Stats wise, we had 3 clear cut chances, 23 shots, 9 on target.  They had 0 ccs, 6 shots, 4 on target.  It didn't feel like that at all.

Baldwin is close to setting the MotM record and James setting the assist record.  That's really nice to see.

Home - Sunderland
Pre-match Huge huge game.  If we win, we move 4 points behind Sunderland and we have a chance at stealing the title.  It's make or break.  We should finish second with ease, I want the title though!  Both Wards start!
First half Half time.  Sunderland have been the better side but not made a good chance.
Second half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 50th minute!  Ward swings in the freekick and Djilobodji makes a hash of it and Dagerstal hits in!  What a strike!  It's 1 - 1 in the 54th.  Ndong hits one from 25 yards and Garratt can only get a finger to it and it flys in.  30 minutes left.  Hiwula, Lasso and Keane on.  Hinds, Danny Ward and Grigg off.  Ward/Smallwood midfield.  Lasso at the AMC and Newell and Hiwula on the wings.  20 minutes left, go attacking, same formation that changed our luck vs Forest.  Last few minutes we go all out.  Full time.
Post-match Phew, we were lucky to draw.

Away - Sheffield Wednesday
Pre-match Huge game.  Kasim comes on for Newell as he's really tired.  Lasso replaces Danny Ward and Will Keane replaces Will Grigg.  James comes back from his suspension and I'm hoping he can make a difference.
First half Awful start.  1 - 0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the 3rd minute.  Ricardo Pereira is played in and slots low.  Midfield and defense were asleep.  Half time and I go bent.
Second half It's 1 - 1!  That's counter attacking football.  Lasso plays a lovely ball to Hinds, he runs about 25 yarss before slotting low into the net after 55 minutes.  NO!  I was about to take him off, Smallwood is sent off! 20 minutes left and a formation change to try and atleast draw, if not win.  Grigg replaces Grant Ward.  James cross hits the woodwork but the Owls manage to clear.  5 minutes to go but Hiwula replaces Keane.  Can his pace be the key?  Full time.
Post-match Smallwood cost us any chance of winning that, 4 draws in a row, what is going on.  QPR are coming up thick and fast and we might end up in the playoffs if we don't sort ourselves out.

Home - Queens Park Rangers
Pre-match Huge game now.  They're 3rd and we keep drawing.  We need to make this a win.
First half Is that serious? It's 1 - 0 to QPR after 3 minutes.  Ring hits in a cross even though 2 defenders on him.  Baldwin loses Depoitre he heads at goal and Garratt palms into his own net.  Millers, wake up.  Hi Kasim!  It's 1 - 1 in the 20th minute.  Smashes in a 20 yard freekick, Smithies gets a hand to it but too much power.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Good passing and movement in the box leaves a gap and Grigg passes to Hinds who slots in.  Half time.  Seems me telling them to show some passion worked.
Second half Grant and Danny Ward replace Lasso and Hiwula in the 61st minute.  It's 3 - 1 to Rotherham in the 73rd minute!  Throw in from James to Danny Ward, he passes back and first time come from James is headed in by Grant Ward.  QPR will be lived, he's not a tall guy and there were 4 defenders around him.  Full time.
Post-match Only 4 games left, that should put us 2nd in the Championship and getting promoted.  We weren't winners but Sunderland have class players.  Morgan Sanson and Didier Ndong have to be the best midfield parentship in the league.  Papy Djilobodji and Sebastian Coates are also the best CB pairing.  I mean Sunderland scored 16 goals in 4 games including 4 against Newcastle, that's quality.

Away - Burnely
Pre-match Monday game after the Saturday, horrible!  Burnley are 18th though.  I have to change alot of the team.  If we win, we go up.
First half 6 minutes it's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Lasso plays a lovely ball through to Cargill, he crosses low and Grigg hits in.   Half time!
Second half Bentley makes a great save to deny Grigg.  "Should of been a goal" but Grigg did well to even get it into that position.  63rd minute, Newell and Hinds replace Danny Ward and Enzo Zidane.  What a save!  Garratt stops Barnes' shot in what should of been 1 - 1.  We're struggling here and having to defend alot.  Williams is showing me why I should be playing him at CB today though.   It's over!
Post-match Happy to of beat Burnely with the side I put out!  Sunderland lost!?

Home - Charlton Atheltic
Pre-match If I win, I get promoted.  Good luck lads!
First half Awful first half.  Nothing has happened.  Come on lads!
Second half Going 4 - 4 - 2 attacking.  Keane, Grant Ward and Newell on for Smallwood, Hinds and Hiwula.  WHAT A GOAL.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham.  30 yard freekick from Kasim!  What a beauty!  You do not save those!  It's 2 - 0 in the 67th minute!  Keane plays in Grigg who slots in!  Should be 3!  Lasso plays in Keane but it's a tame shot.  It's 2 - !  Vetokele turns and shoots and it goes into the bottom coerner.  Garratt palms in, he should of done alot better.  It's 2 - 2 in the 74th minute!  Dagerstal gets done by Lookman, he crosses low and Vetokele gets his brace.  It's 3 - 2 in the 74th minute to Rotherham!  Keane gets played down the flank, he crosses low and Grigg hits in!  It's full time!
Post-match Will Grigg is awesome.  Sunderland lost AGAIN, we could be winners here!  Oh and WE'RE PROMOTED TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE! :D.

This looks a bit different!

Alot of players are asking for new contracts.  Tried to offer Will Keane one as he has a year left, he wants 30k a week, is he high?  He won't budge either.  Kasim is signing for 24k a week and I'm fine with that, he's a key player.

Away - Reading
Pre-match Title face is still on aslong as Sunderland don't win.  Interesting.  I just want the lads to go out and enjoy the last two games.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Reading in the 30th minute.  Bamford back hells it through to Asdrubal and he beats Baldwin and Garratt and hits in.  Garratt could of done better.  It's half time and we're struggling.  4 - 4 - 2 it is.
Second half 60th minute, Newell replaces Smallwood and Keane replaces Hinds.  Yell at the team to show some passion.  Lasso crosses for Keane but hits into the side netting!  It's full time.
Post-match We didn't show up and that's the title gone, Sunderland scored in the 88th minute.  

Home - Bristol City
Pre-match I'd like a win to end such a great campaign.
First half We're playing really well in the first 15, had a good chance we just have to make it pay.  Potential goal of the season I reckon.  Kasey Palmer just hit in a 35 yard screamer for Bristol City in the 14th minute when we're dominating.  That was a wonderful hit.  Grant Ward should of equalised!  It's blocked on the line!  Hinds shoots abd it's blocked, how didn't he score!?  How are we losing! Half time!  We've had 12 shots, 5 on target, 3 clear cut chances.  They've had 3 shots, 2 on target and they're 1 - 0 up.
Second half Last 25 minutes Keane replaces Hinds and we go 4 - 4 - 2 attacking.  Come on you Millers.  Another stop on the line!  Grant Ward half volleys and Paterson stops the ball at the near post as it beats the keeper.  Williams and Cargill replace Dagarstal and Baldwin for the last 10 minutes.  Garratt makes a great save to stop it being 2 - 0.  First chance Bristol City have had in this half.  It's full time!
Post-match I have no idea how we lost that.  A match we by far the better team.  What a goal by Palmer but still, we won't stay up not putting those chances away.

End of season:

Surely it's a bug that Grigg isn't signing of the season?  Hedges played 18, scored 1, assisted 2.  This is Griggs return.

Awards:

So deserved.  What a player he's becoming.

Was not expecting this!

Suprised no goals we scored or scored against us came in the top 3 of the season.

Table:

Post-season comments:

What a great season, absolutely buzzing.  Alot of the squad will stay but I need a new goalkeeper as I don't think Garratt will be after to cut it in the Prem and a new CB pairing.  Some players may leave due to being in the last year of contract and wanting too much money but I'm not going silly on new players either.  I'm going to look at younger English players maybe on a free or not being used like they should.  Also looking at youth players from foreign clubs with a bit of potential.  I want players with good teamwork and work rate.  Next year will be as hard if not harder than my first season with Rotherham but it's going to be an exciting challenge.  

Staff changes

I still had some of Stubbs' staff.  Holden and Doolan contracts have expired and won't be renwered.  Some new coaches and scouts have come in.  I mean, I just got this guy as my assistant!

My staff

[johnstonpickle]

Congrats mate!!

What a season, well deserved manager of the year award for pulling that off. I reckon you will have probably still had one of the lowest 3 budgets in the division too no doubt?! Be interesting to see what happens to Newcastle if they don't go up via the playoffs. Surely the parachute payments will dry out enough to have a massive effect on them!

Hopefully you can stay up, but even if you don't you'll have secured the club's long term future surely!

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

[SpillBlood]

Cheers man :).  I'm not sure about our budget but we could get in some decent players and I was able to pay 10k a week to players if need be so it was always sound for the Championship. 

QPR got promoted!  It'll be interesting to see what happens to Newcastle.  Only player I'm looking at from the Championship teams is Knockaert as Brighton were relegated.  Might be outpriced easily though.   Trying to set a budget 20 - 25k for first teamers and 30k max for key players.   Trying to keep any transfer fees as low as possible.  Garratt just signed a new contract as a rotation player though paving the way for a new #1.

Currently looking at the type of players such as Alfie Mawson, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Danny Ward(Goalkeeper), Walker-Pieters.  Those youth who can kick on or are good and can better kind of style.

[SpillBlood]

Transfers

For me, I haven't made alot of deals but without shipping players out which no one has interest in (E.G even no one wants Connor Roberts on loan for a season with zero wage) then I can't bring players in.  I'm not looking to spend much and I feel I've already spent enough.

So who are they?

My goalkeeper:

The only 'keeper I could find where my scouts were like, right, get him.  He has room to improve and can speak English.  Will he be a coup?

The CBs:

Alfie Mawson I'm really happy about.  He needs to be played and I believe he can become good.  He was cheap imo and over the season his value was skyrocket.

With Tosin Adarabioyo I think I've taken a punt but he has potential and another one who needs to be played.   I think his mental stats will go up over time and he a cracking CB worth alot more then I paid.

The fullbacks:

Who doesn't know Baines?  Fits in my tactic perfectly.  Signed on a year contract, experienced, really good signing for the team.

I struggled to find a RB and Fulgini was happy to come in on loan, I think he looks strong.  A fullback that can hump, head, tackle and cross.  He'll be starting for sure.

The midfielders:

Ben Sheaf was a steal.  I think he's worth alot more then I paid and he'll prove his worth over the season.  Still has potential I'm sure he'll be my first team this season.

Callum Gribbin was rotting for United and the lad needs games.  He'll turn up I'm sure.  I've never seen him fulfill his potential due to United not playing him and refusing to sell him.  I have Kasim tutoring him and he'll get game time.

Unless something happens, an injury or a random bid I cannot see any more transfers and I'm sat in July.  Our rep isn't helping us but I'd rather not splash the cash and then mess is up in the comin' year.  If need be there's still 15million to spend in January.  I'm still looking at Loftus-Cheek thinking should I buy?  But I have enough midfielrs and his passing/vision are only 13/12.  He's strong and has pace but he isn't going to get in over Newell or Kasim at the DLP spot.

[SpillBlood]

There's some crazy money being thrown about and the date is only the 20th of July.

Also believe this is the transfer record in my save.

[Bedese]

Congratulations on promotion! I love the look of some of your signings, particularly that keeper  

[SpillBlood]

I feel like I've jinxed myself.  We've lost Hinds for 3 months and that's a huge blow.  So I'm breaking my transfer record for a very very versatile player who can tutor my youngsters.  I think this is an awesome signing for Rotherham.

He'll be tutoring this guy!  My first good regen from the academy and I'm hoping I can make him a good enough midfielder to be a home-grown Rotherham player!

[SpillBlood]

Pre-season + August

We had a good pre-season.  Vs Banik we were the better side, we just couldn't score.

This is good to see.

Waiting for options to upgrade my facilities.  Will help the club alot.

Home - Liverpool
Pre-match Monday night game!  We're the last to play so alot of pressure but we're on TV so we can try and show off! Let's see how we do.  Gribbin starts at AMC and Judge at AMR.  We have a couple of injuries :(.
First half  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Grigg heads in James' corner in the 40th minute!  Half time.  "Tepid first half".  That'll do for us!
Second half Smallwood replaces the booked Sheaf and Hiwula replaces Gribbin with Judge going AMC in the 62nd minute.  Can see a goal here, not sure who too.  And it's to Liverpool 1 - 1 in the 70th minute.  Poor kickout gives Liverpool the ball and Vlasic hits in Manes cross. 10 minutes left, attacking 4 - 4- 2 with Dany Ward rreplacing Lasso.  It's a penalty!  To Liverpool, Adarabioyo handballs a corner.  That's annoying.  Vlasic hits in for his second.  Sturridge should of made it 3.  It came from Auderos goalkick again.  Full time.
Post-match That wasn't good enough.  We lost due to our mistakes.  Subs didn't play well either.

Should win this one

Away - West Ham
Pre-match Ward is back and goes AMR.  Judge goes to AML and Lasso goes AMC.  Ball and Baldwin start at DC, Mawson goes bench and Adarabioyo is dropped.  We're away so I'd take a draw.
First half I thought Ward missed a sitter but Cresswell made a great tackle.  Ball is free at the back from James' corner but heads at Sommer.  Half time.  
Second half 30 minutes left.  Danny Ward, Hiwula and Will Keane replace Lasso, Grigg and Grant Ward.  Going to let Sheaf defend so Fulgini can attack. PENALTY AGAIN.  Baldwin fouls even though Audero collected the ball! Guidetti steps up and it's a rocket in the top corner in the 81st minute.  Full time.
Post-match Baldwin cost us a point.  We weren't great but a draw would of been fair.

Home - Sunderland
Pre-match A team we need to beat.  A couple of changes. Adarabioyo and Mawson at CB, Baines at LB. Judge goes AMC and Lasso AML.  Smallwood goes CM-D and Sheaf makes the bench.
First half Sunderland score!  Thankfully offside.  It's 1 -0 in the 8th minute!  Good passing movement between Judge, Lasso and Grigg.  Lasso plays it through to Grigg who hits in!  Oh come on.  Lasso loses the ball well too easy and then Suk gets played in, his shot is tame but beats Audero, that was awful keeping!  Half time.  Smallwood goes off and Sheaf and I have a go.  Silly mistakes cost us.
Second half It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham!  Ward blocks and counters brilliantly down the right, he crosses in and Grigg manages to knock in.  He literally throws his body at it so Coates can't clear.  65th minute Danny Ward comes on for Judge and Lasso goes AMC.  He redeems himself!  Sunderland should score when Danny Ward loses the ball but Audero makes a great save.  There's still in a goal in this match for sure.  Suk gets played in but hits the post!  Phew.  Last 10 minutes Baldwin replaces Mawson.  It's 2 - 2.   Fulgini has had a bad game and his cross finds no one.  They go down their right and Baines doesn't go to the ball or attempt to defend.  He then gets caught and they one two round him, cross in and Burgui hits in.  5 minutes, can anyone find a winner?  It's full time.
Post-match Silly mistakes again.  We have to sort this out.

Home - ELF Cup 2nd Round - Bolton Wanderers
Pre-match 11 changes, match fitness and see who can push for first team.
First half So close!  Hedges smashes one from outside the area and it pings the post.  30th minute Sheaf replaces the injured Williams.  By far the better team yet it's 0 - 0 at the break.
Second half 30 minutes to go.  Mawson and Grigg replace Keane and Baldwin.  20 minutes left, go attacking.  It's 1 - 0.. to Rotherham in the 78th minute.  Gribbin hits in a freekick from the edge of the area.  It's 1 - 1 in the 92nd minute... Penney hits the corner in and Ryan White gets in.
Extra time first half We counter, Gribbin passes to Grigg who takes on his man and slots low.  Where would we be without Grigg.
Extra time seocnd half It's 3 - 1 to Rotherham.  Grigg heads in James' cross.
Post-match We hammered them yet it took 120 minutes to get through!

This will be hard :(.

Away - Leicester City
Pre-match Fisher starts and Gribbin goes AMC since he played well vs Bolton.  Can we get our first win before the international break?
First half Sporar misses a glorious chance for Leicester.  Close again but Audero makes a good save vs Munir.  Half time and we're being hammered.  0 shots.  Going to my old 4 - 3 - 3 attacking with Lasso coming on for Gribbin.
Second half No!  We attack so well and Grigg gets played in but hits the post!  10 minutes left and go 4 - 4 - 2 attacking.  I'd rather have 3 points then 1.  Full time.
Post-match  We were lucky to draw.  My tactic is struggling in the away games.

Eh? Is this a bug? We signed him on a free, not from West Ham?  Arsenal signed him from West Ham?

End of Transfer Window:

We didn't sign anyone after Judge and no big money moves that I could see either.  We'll see how the team goes.  Roberts did go to Burton on loan for 5 months.

The team:

September

Home - Crystal Palace
Pre-match Small tactic tweak and Newell starts at DLP.  See how we fair.
First half Quiet first half.  We've actually had shots but no team had had good chances.
Second half Palace score and I'm shouting, he's gotta be offside!  He was.  Close!  Grant Ward heads into the side netting from James' cross.  20 minutes left.  Keane, Gribbin and Lasso on for Judge, Danny Ward and Will Grigg.  Audero makes a great save after Palace counter from Lasso taking too long.  It's full time.
Post-match Even game.

Game of the season?

Away - Manchester City
Pre-match Not sure how to set up here.  I need to have bodies when we counter.  Even 4 - 4 - 2 sounds tempting.  Yeah I've decided, we need two uptop so 4 - 4 - 2 it is. Oh and we play them next in the cup also :(.  Hopefully morale is okay afterwards.  Their lineup is incredible.  I can only dream of having a side half as good.
First half What a goal!  James hits a freekick in from 30 yards in the 5th minute!  It's 1 - 1 in the 14th minute.  Aguero blasts through two defenders and smashes in.  It's 2 - 1 to City.  Kompany heads in Verratis corner after losing his marker Keane.  Going to attack fo the last 15 minutes of the half.  Half time.
Second half Keep attacking. Oh come on, we can't even throw to a player in red.  Passing is shocking, it really is.  Audero makes a good save to stop it being 3.  Small tactic tweak and Lasso replaces Newell and Danny Ward replacing Keane, Keane has been pretty poor. No!  We counter so well and Grigg shoots but Hart palms it onto the post! It's full time!
Post-match Stats wise, we got hammered.  Chances wise, unlucky not to draw.  Good effort.

Home - ELF Cup 3rd Round - Manchester City
Pre-match Try the tactic we used vs Palace, see how it fairs.  Alot of players changed.
First half Sterlings solo effort makes it 1 - 0 to City in the 33rd minute.  Audero could of done more it says, the lads done alot already.  Half time.
Second half 46th minute Welbeck hits in Sterlings cross to make it 2 - 0.  Keane should of scored!  Koci saves his tepid shot.  Ward and Smallwood replace Gribbin and Sheaf.  Keane should of scored twice! This tweak is making us alot better.  15 minutes to go, Hedges replaces Keane and Danny Ward goes uptop.  Audero makes a great save from a corner and City hit the follow up wide.  It's full time.
Post-match Keane =/.  Not good enough.

Home - Queens Park Rangers
Pre-match Team we have to beat as we're rockbottom.  I'm running out of ideas how to give this team ticking though.  Go back to my original counter tactic that worked so well last season.
First half  22 seconds and it's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Great play from Kasim and James down the left, James crosses and Grigg heads bar and in!  It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham!  Tosin Adarabioyo scores!  Kasim hits the freekick in, Grigg flicks on and he heads in at the back after 16 minutes.  Ohh nice hit lad!  3 - 0 to Rotherham in the 30th minute.  Grant Ward is open, passed to and outside the area lets one rip and it flies into the net.  It's 4 - 0 to Rotherham!  Kasim hits in one of his trademark freekicks from 25 yards!  Smallwood and Mawson off, Baldwin and Sheaf on at half time, they're both booked.
Second half What a save!  QPR counter and it's 2 v 1.  Walcott centers, Woodburn hits and Audero saves!  Full time.
Post-match Will Grigg show.  What a performance from Rotherham.  MotM goes to Adarabioyo!

This win puts us 15th.  1 point above the drop.  It's very tight at the bottom!

End of month awards:

Freekicks :).

[SpillBlood]

October

Away - Aston Villa
Pre-match They're 6th and it's alot to ask but their side isn't that much better than ours in my opinion.  We could steal a point for sure.
First half  That's awful from Rotherham.  It's 1 - 0 to Villa.  We can't even tackle.  Smallwood and James fail to win the ball from Poulsen.  It ends up with Amavi on the opposite flank and he crosses in and Poulsen heads in.  It's half time.  We have to do better.
Second half We go 4 - 4 - 2 with Newell, Keane and Judge coming on for Mawson, Wad and Lasso.  15 minutes to rescuse a point.  It's full time.
Post-match We had shots.  We had no good chances and always second best.

Home - Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-match Changing it up.  9 different outfield players from the Villa game.  Only Grigg and Audero stay.  Hedges got his first goal for Wales and Hiwula isn't fit so he'll start at AMR.
First half Tottenham are passing so well.  Ball falls kindly to Son but Audero manages to save.  Gribbin gets played in but he hits first time and it's too tame!  That's too easy.  It's 1 - 0 to Tottenham.  Eriken hits outwide to Walker whos onside, crosses in to Dudu at the back to tap in.  Half time, we gotta change this to get mroe chances.  Ward replaces Hedges aswell.
Second half  Oh what a save.  Baines crosses and Grigg volleys.  Nardi gets into the top corner to save and Tottenham clear.  Keane and Judge replace Gribbin and Grigg.  15 minutes to go!  It's 2 - 0.  Nacho is totally free.  He crosses and Son nods in with ease.  Full time.
Post-match We actually played better in the second half. Their second goal we just got caught out of position.  Going to take my tactic change and use it in the Everton game, see if it works.

Away - Everton
Pre-match Basically want to attack down the flanks as we always have space we don't use.  It's hard to explain.  We'll have our RB waiting and we don't use him.  So putting exploit both flanks on.
First half Ounas cuts in and shoots, really good save from Aurano keeps it 0 - 0.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Ball played out to James, he crosses in and Ward knocks in after 12 minutes.  It's 1 - 1 and I was waiting for a foul on my keeper.  Corner comes in and Cahill knocks back, oh second looks Borja hits it off Mori to go in?  Bit strange there.  Half time.  Changing Grigg to an AF.
Second half That's much better from Rotherham.  We pass quickly, it's all down the middle.  Judge to Lasso to Grigg, good first touch and hits low.  Rico gets a hand to it but still goes in.  It's 2 - 2 minutes after.  Funes Mori hits in a 30 yard freekick.  You do not save those.  Baldwin and Sheaf replace Mawson and Smallwood.  Everton should score but Audero catches the header, good chance.  Full time.
Post-match Good effort.  We really struggle with set pieces.

Got the option!

November

Home - AFC Bournemouth
Pre-match  Small tweak, this will be a hard game for sure.
First half It's 1 - 0.  We've given them a good game but Coric gets played through and slots through.
Second half They're clsong down everything and it's causing us problems.  That's too easy.  Long ball played over to Schmid and he's onside.  Low cross and Lapadula hits in.  It's 2 - 1.  Alfie Mawson heads in Kasims freekick.  Come back on!  30 minutes to go.  Keane, Hiwla and Sheaf replace Ward, Grigg and Judge.  It's 2 - 2!  We counter well and Keanes ball is quality.  Sheaf is through and smashes low for his first Rotherham goal.  15 minutes to play!  I'd be so happy with a draw though we could win.  Steve Cook hits the bar from a flick on from a corner!  Ahhh.  2 minutes to go before added time!  It's 3 - 2 to Bournemouth!  A great ball from Lapadula and Cook is inside, he smashes it in.  It's full time.
Post-match So close, we just gotta make sure those long balls don't ruin us.

Away - Southampton
Pre-match If we keep the effort up from the last game, we might steal a win here.  They're only a spot above us.  Southampton has started with players who have knocks?
First half Redmond does wonderful and puts a cross in.  Somehow Austin heads over.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Good passing and Gribbin plays through Hiwula who hits first time in the near corner after 21 minutes.  Half time!  Good game so far, very even.
Second half It's 1 - 1.  Boufal puts a cross low into the box and Rodriguez scores.  We always concede the same.  Keane replaces Grigg after 50 minutes.  Boufal makes a very good run and Audero makes a good save, Fulgini gave the ball away too easily.  Rodriguez just missed a sitter.  Made from us hitting stupid long balls for no reason.  Smallwood and James replace Baines and Kasim with 10 minutes left.  Full time.
Post-match Even game, wondering when our next win will be.

Away - Norwich City
Pre-match This is a must win, even away.
First half Both sides trying and we get the first proper effort.  Lovely flick from Gribbin and Grigg is through and he knocks wide.  Half time.
Second half Sheaf fouls Borini and it's a penalty in the 54th minute.  Borini steps up and.. it's saved!  30 minutes left, Keane, Newell and Grant Ward replace Danny Ward, Hiwula and Grigg.  Can we get a goal?  Audero makes a superb save to keep us in it after Wards awful pass.  Last 5 minutes, we go attacking.  Ball falls to Grant Ward in the box but he hits wide!  Full time.
Post-match Emil Audero you hero.

End of month award:

Out of the blue, he's been alright I guess?

December

Home - Stoke City
Pre-match Hinds is back!  We've missed him!  Can he make the difference?  Stoke are only a point above.
First half We attack well and Grigg plays through Hinds but Pickford makes a great save.  We're had two good chancnes and we're only 6 minutes in, will this come back to haunt us?  What a great save.  Lasso waits and pings a lovely ball to Grigg.  He shoots and Pickford saves onto the post.  Can we get past him!?  Pickford pulls off another fine save to deny Hiwula after the ball drops to him from the corner.  Freekick comes in and Mawson heads it.. somehow wide!  It's half time and we're hammering them, how aren't we winning?  14 shots, 7 on target, woodwork once, 3 clear chances, 3 half chances.  They've had 2 shots, 1 on target.  We've had 73% possession!
Second half We get a goal and it's an own goal!  James crosses and Shawcross reacts by sliding in.. into his own net after 48 minutes!  30 minutes left.  Keane, Judge and Ward on for Grigg, Hiwula and Hinds. FREAK GOAL.  Stoke equalise.  Cross comes in and it's a mess, keeper palms, James hits it off Sobhi and in.  We like to hit it against other players to score ffs.  How are we not winning?  It's 2 -1 to Stoke!?  Wollschield heads in Schaubs corner.  Wow.  20 minutes to save this.  Full time.
Post-match Fuming, we threw away watch should of been a good win!  We had so many chances and we're now 19th.  I can't see up staying up with these mistakes.

I'd like to win this one!

Away - Watford
Pre-match Let's get a win maybe?  I like my defense, I like my central midfield.  The rest are making silly mistakes and cannot finish!  Changing the wingbacks to fullbacks, see if it helps.  Removed the short passing for mixed and got rid of the look for overlap, sometimes we take too long.  Given the lads a team meeting to boost morale.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 2nd minute!  We attack fast and Lasso plays in Hiwula who hits in!  Should of been 2!  We win the ball and counter, Grigg sets up Lasso who hits tamely at the keeper. It's 1 - 1 in the 36th minute.  Gray does James, crosses in and Pereyra heads in.  The 6 foot AMC made my 6'5 CB look like a mug.  Half time, even game.
Second half Fisher makes a mistake and Berge is it but hits wide.  Borjas missed two chances now!  Played in and keeper saves.  Gribbin is replacing him after that.  Can't not put these chances away.  It's 2 - 1 to Watford.  Ibai hits in a 25 yard freekick.  Smallwood replaces Kasim and Keane replaces Grigg.  Can we get an equaliser?  Now Keane misses a sitter!  Judge wins the ball and crosses in, first time hit from 8 yards out is Keane and it's at the keeper.  Good move from Watford and Gray shoots low but it's saved to keep us in this.  Fuming we're not getting a point.  Another good chance for Watford and Audero is keeping us in this.  Full time.
Post-match We can't have that many chances and lose, we're going down.

We have Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal next.  That's going to ruin morale.

Away - Chelsea
Pre-match Gulp #1.
First half Half time, we're keeping them quiet.
Second half Willian gets played in but smashes the bar.  60th minute Gribbin and Keane replace Hinds and Grigg.  SUCH good football from Rotherham but Hiwula hits the post!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!!! We attack so well, Keane plays a lovely ball through to Gribbin who takes on his man and hits in!  76th minute!  He's got 2!!! Judge plays him through and he smashes in.  We're beating Chelsea 2 - 0 at Stamford Bridge!!!  Full time!
Post-match AMAZING.  Gribbin you superstar!  If we play to that standard, or the standard of even the Watford game but actually finish.  We'll stay up.  Buzzin'.

Away - Liverpool
Pre-match Gulp #2.
First half He's done it again!  Quick counter from Rotherham and Keane plays through Gribbin who makes it 1 - 0 after 18 minutes!  It's 2 - 0 to Rotherham in the 19th minute!  Gribbin brace!  He latches onto Tierneys awful backpass and hits in before Matip gets there!  20th minute and it's 2 - 1!  Good football from Liverpool, Grujic plays through Markovic who hits into the far corner.  It's a penalty to Liverpool.  James fouls Markovic in the 40th minute.  Grujic steps up and hits in.  2 - 2 in the 40th minute.  Audero keeps it 2 - 2 in the 41st after Adarabioyos bad pass!  It's half time.  Balwdin and Baines replace Adarabioyo and James.
Second half HAT-TRICK HERO.  Gribbin scores in the 54th minute after Keanes lovely through ball!  3 - 2!  It's 3 - 3 in the 65th minute!  Judges poor pass lets Liverpool counter.  Ki plays in Mane and he hits in.  Grant Ward replaces Alan Judge with 25 minutes to go.  Liverpool should be winning but Audero pulls off a great save!  15 minutes left, will either team see a winner?  NO!  Gribbin makes a huge mistake with such a poor pass and Liverpool have the easiest of counters, ball over the top and Mane hits in to make it 4 - 3!  It's 5 - 3, they counter to easily from Kasims freekick.  We tackle but they win it back, the defending afterwards is so poor that Markovic is at the back alone to tap in.  Full time!
Post-match Argh!  My keeper is on 4.7 btw.  Defense really weren't good there.  Tbh only Keane and Gribbin were.  Good match but 4.7, ouch.  We made a few mistakes and it cost us.

Away - Arsenal
Pre-match Gulp #3.  Small tweak in the middle.  Smallwood comes in and goes CM-D and Kasim DLP-S.  Last two games I've had DLP-D and AP-S.  Gribbin is actually my IF here and Hinds is fit to play AMC.
First half Audero makes a great save to deny Griezmann.  It's 1 - 0 to Arsenal.  Girezmann plays in Vazquez and he slots in.  WHAT A HIT.  It's 1 - 1.  Mawson hits a long ball up and Keane takes it very well, takes his man on, lays off Hinds who smashes it in from outside the area after 19 minutes!  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham in the 28th minute!  Keane plays in Hinds to shoots in.  Arsenal are not marking Keane and giving him so much space.  It's 2 -2 in the 40th minute. Berardi to Griezmann who takes on his man and hits in.  Half time!  Sheaf replaces Smallwood.
Post-match What a goal again by Hinds!  We pass well, Keane again to Hinds and outside the area smashes it into the top corner.  Keeper has no chance.  Keane gets a lucky ball to him but his first time shot is wide!  If the man could just finish!  It's 3 - 3.  Baba crosses and Berardi at the back heads in.  15 minutes left.  Baines and Ward replace Gribbin and James.  To get a draw would be awesome.  BORJA COST US THE GAME AGAIN.  He's being dropped for a long time now.  He wins the ball from a counter, just spends so much time on the ball he loses it.  Arsenal counter, Griezzman centers and Vazquest hits in.

Audero has injured his wrist and will be out for 2 weeks, can Garratt fill his shoes?

Home - West Bromwich Albion
Pre-match If we take the way we've played into this game, we should win, surely?  Problem is it's only 2 days after the Arsenal game so I've had to change my starting 11.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 2nd minute.  Sheaf crosses, Griggs first effort is blocked, his second effort flies in.  Penalty to Rotherham in the 6th minute!  Nkolou handled!  Grigg steps up and his brace!  Top corner it's 2 - 0.  It's 2 - 1 in the 20th minute.  We're passing for ages, no one makes a good run or has a shot.  1 tackle and we're carved open, Leko crosses and Balotelli hits in.  Half time.
Second half 60th minute.  Hinds and Hiwula replace Ward and Judge.  That's 3 - 1 to Rotherham in the 67th minute!  Good passing, good movement and Hinds plays in Hiwula who slots low in.  Williams staking a claim for RB starting spot as he clears a shot off the line!  It's full time!
Post-match Alot better.  I switched my AP to winger and put the FB-A to FB-S.  It seemed to work.  We're 17th!  For the moment, Southampton need to play but it's a positive effort for sure.

I forgot to mention.  Fulgini picked up a bad injury and was out for 2 - 3 months.  Fisher isn't exactly setting the world alight at RB and after the win I don't see why I shouldn't give Williams a try.

Home - West Ham United
Pre-match They're doing really well.  We're at home and I'm not changing the side!  We're now 18th, can we get back to 17th or even 16th?  West Ham have one hell of a side.
First half We look very shakey and give the ball away.  West Ham attack and Calleri hits the post!  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Hiwula steals the ball from Palencia, cuts inside and slots past Sommer who gets a hand to it but it still goes in after 15 minutes!  Hey, it's snowing!  It's 1 - 1.  Calleri crosses in Ayew hits in at the back post after 23 minutes.  West Ham were knocking.  It's a red card!  Havard Nordtveit fouls Grigg for his second yelloww in the 38th minute!  Half time.  Even game.  Danny Ward is replaced by Gribbin and Baines by James.
Second half What a hit!  Hiwula gets his second goal.  Newell passes to him and he cuts in slightly and just smashes it from outside the box.  2 - 1 in the 63rd minute.  It's a red card!  Sheaf picks up his second yellow and it's 10 men each, tactic change!  Ball replaces Hinds and we go 4 - 1 - 2 - 2.  15 minutes to see it out.  Guidettis freekick is really close!  Obiang fouls Newell and that has to be it!  Full time!
Post-match Cracking result, we're 16th but teams below have games in hand.  We're going forward for sure.

End of month award:

Ofc he did, he was brilliant.

Current table on January 1st.

[johnstonpickle]

Fantastic season so far, got some real fight in your team here!  

[SpillBlood]

January

First thing is I've terminated Angel Fulginis loan.  He's been injured alot and wasn't very good when he played.

Home - FA Cup 3rd Round - Nottingham Forest
Pre-match Strong squad out.  Hedges starts AML.
First half Lovely passing from Rotherham.  Keane plays in Gribbin who is onside and he smashes in the top corner.  1 - 0 after 9 minutes.  Half time!
Second half Grant Ward replaces Hiwula wth 30 minutes to go.  Full time.
Post-match We were by far the better team, we just didn't score as many as I'd of liked.

Loan in!  I have a future purchase of 2.3mil if he plays well.  He'll be going into the starting 11 as I hopefully have a player leaving.

This will be tough!

Home - Manchester United
Pre-match Gulp #4.  Audero is back and goes straight into the sticks.  I'm going start Gribbin, my players like to score vs there former clubs.  Heck, James might even score ^_.  They start with an odd line up, they have some injuries so missing Rashford etc and Balde Keita is their striker, he'll prob be good with that pace and can play with either foot.
First half Keita is played through but its wide!  That's a sitter.  He hits in this time though.  Pogba hits a lovely ball to Mkhitaryan who crosses and Keita hits in low after 24 minutes.  Half time.  United are battering us.
Second half It's 2 - 0.  We can't get close.  Mkhitaryan passes to Keita who smashes it post and in from just outside the box after 53 minutes.  25 minutes leeft.  Judge, Hinds and Keane replace Murphy, Gribbin and Grigg.  Full time.
Post-match That went as well as expected.  They're by far the best team we've faced.

Player out.

Yes, he scored one quality goal for me apart from that I feel he makes more mistakes then good plays.  He isn't cut for the Premiership and 7M is a very inflated price for him.

Away - Sunderland
Pre-match They're 8th, doing really well.  Couple of changes.  Newell and Baldwin both start.
First half Audero makes a great save to deny Asoro, how my CBs play him on I'll never know.  Audero makes another great save to deny Asoro after Newells mistake. Half time, we're getting battered really.  
Second half 15 minutes left I switch to 4 - 4 - 2 attacking to try and steal the spoils.  Judge, Ward and Keane on for Hinds, Murphy and Hiwula.  Full time.
Post-match Sunderland were the better side and they have good players, I'll happily take the draw away from home.

Away - Crystal Palace
Pre-match Same side, going to try exploit the fact they played a couple of days ago.
First half What a save, cross comes in and Audero manages to save Afobes header.  Had a couple of chances but not sure who on earth will score the first goal though.  Oh, we sneak a goal in just before half time.  Grigg has the ball in the corner, passes to Hiwula who passes to Hinds and he volleys in.
Second half What a goal fluke goal!  Hiwula crosses in from Newells pass but it looks more like a shot and goes into the top corner to make it 2 - 0 after 52 mins!  Massive chance goes for Palace.  James throws in and Bernard steals, passes to Sefevoic and he misses a huge huge chance. 25 minutes left, Keane and Judge replace Murphy and Grigg.  Smallwood replace Kasim for the last 15 minutes.  Judge misses a tight shot! Good chance though, free at the back post after Hiwula crosses.  He scores this time for his first Rotherham goal.  We counter well, Keane to Hiwula to Hinds to Judge who smashes in.  3 - 0 after 76 mintues.  WHAT A HIT.  It's 3 - 1 in the 77th!  Afobe just smashes it from 20 yards out into the top corner, pure power.  Full time!
Post-match Really good win, we played well!

Home - Leciester City
Pre-match Sheaf replaces Kasim and Judge replaces Murphy.
First half Grigg plays a great ball for Hinds but Zieler makes a great save.  Hiwula should score but Zieler makes another great save.  We're knocking at the door.  Half time.  Smallwood replaces Sheaf before he gets sent off.
Second half Penalty!  Caulker fouls Adarabioyo after Judge hits in the freekick.  Grigg steps up and.. slots low in the 58th minute! 1 - 0.  Keane replaces Grigg in the 59th minute as he's injured.  Vardy should score, Musa crosses after a mess in midfield and he heads wide!  Vardy now hits the post!  Audero makes a great save to deny Musa!  They're coming at us, can we hold on?  How did he miss!  Judge crosses and Hiwula somehow hits wide!  It's 2 - 0 in the 91st minute!  Keane passes to Judge who hits in from outside the box.  Full time!
Post-match Glad we got it over the line!  Both teams had chances.

Home - Manchester City
Pre-match Kasim back in midfield.  Keane starts and Gribbin replaces Hinds.  Hopefully we don't get too battered.
First half It's 1 - 0 to City.  Verratti swings the corner in and Audero comes to catch and misses, it goes through both defenders and Otamendi hits into an open net after 11 minutes.  It's 2 - 0 in the 22nd minute.  Another set piece mishap.  Adarabioyo heads to De Bruyne who lays off Pizzaro who smashes in.  Half time and we're getting done.  Smallwood replaces Gribbin and switch to 4 - 3 - 3.
Second half What on earth.  Lindelof crosses, it hits Kasims heels and goes to Isco he shoots it's pinged again and somehow James fouls De Bruyne and it's a penalty.  Aguero steps up and slots into the corner, 3 - 0 in the 52nd minute.  62nd minute it's 4 - 0.  Our defending is awful.  We cannot come close.  De Bruyne crosses, Rafa heads back and Isco hits off the post and in.  25 minutes, switch to 4 - 4- 2 and Mawson and Baines replace James and Adarabioyo.  Rafa hits a long shot and smashes the bar!  Full time.
Post-match We were second best all over the pitch, outplayed by a superior team.

Conor Roberts returns from his loan.  He's going to get a run in the first team, can he cement his place?

Birigimana returns!  He

Hinds is also out for 4 - 5 weeks.  With Grigg and Hinds out it's going to be difficult.

End of Window:

Koke went to United for 57mil!  ALso Lewis Cook to Liverpool for 33.5mil!  Maybe we'll get him the future when he wants first team football xD.

February

Away - FA 4th Round - West Ham United
Pre-match Trying a new tactic.  4 - 4 - 1 - 1 to make us more compact.
First half West Ham dominated us but it's 0 - 0 at the half.
Second half It's a red card!  For some odd reason Kasim fouls Powell for his second yellow.  Powell doesn't even have the ball! Hiwula and Smallwood replace Ward and Gribbin and we go 4 - 1 - 2 - 2.  No wingers.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!?  69th minute.  West Ham corner, Baldwin kicks up to Keane, he plays a quality ball through to Hiwula whos burst of pace can't be coped with by West Ham, takes it round the keeper and slots in.  It's full time!
Post-match How on earth did we win that!?  Only 1 clear chance in the game and we had it.  That was fully unexpected.

This is winnerable!

We've also now lost Gribbin and Newell to injury!

Away - Queens Park Rangers
Pre-match They're 20th and using my normal tactic again.
First half What was that header?  We nearly give QPR a goal before the half.  Sheaf heads the ball back into the box to Walcott.  I know they were at Arsenal together but bloody hell.  Half time.
Second half Going more direct passing and faster paced.   Danny Ward replaces Murphy and Williams replaces Judge.  Going 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2, no wingers.  Somehow Josue is played in and should go 1 - 0 up but smashes the post!  Havin' to switch some players.  Keane is injured.  Ward goes uptop with Hiwula, Williams comes on, he's in midfield, Sheaf AMC.  Kind of a mess really!  Danny Ward played in, turns and hits but Smithies saves!  That was a chance.  Full time.
Post-match Even game, no one could find a way through.  We picked 3 knocks this match though.

Home - Aston Villa
Pre-match I'd take a draw.  Out of 4 strikers only Hiwula is fit and I prefer him at AMR.  We'll see.
First half  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 5th minute.  Murphy does so well down the left and crosses low, Hiwula is free to hit in.  It's 1 - 1. Ayew heads in Poulsens cross.  They only had that attack because of James' very poor clearence, he isn't in good form.  It's half time.
Second half Hiwula plays in Judge but his shot is saved!  He should score.  Gribbin is back, he replaces Judge and Grant Ward replaces Hedges.  Should be 2 - 1 to Rotherham.  Gribbin plays in Hiwula, he has time and he hits wide!  Full time.
Post-match We were the better side and we of had 3 points.

Home - FA Cup 5th Round - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-match I'd like a win here!  Keane and Grigg are fit enough to make the bench.
First half  It's the bar!  Gribbin is layed off and his shot from the edge of the box pings the bar.  Gribbin hits the bar again with a 20 yard shot!  It's a red card.  Tymon fouls Ward for his second yellow after 26 minutes.  It's 1 - 0 Rotherham!  Murphy crosses and Ward heads in after 32 minutes.  Half time.  Baines replaces James.
Second half It's a penalty to Rotherham.  Conor Coady fouls Gribbin!  Baines steps up... and Darlow saves! Lovely passing between Murphy, Gribbin and Hiwula and Gribbin hits the bar for the 3rd time! Gribbin shoots and I think it's palmed.. onto the bar!  It bounces down and Grant Ward hits in for his second!  Keane replaces Hiwula in the 60th minute.  It's hit hat-trick!  Murphy hits a lovely ball over to Ward and he escapes his marker and nods in after 68 minutes.  It's a second red to Wolves!  Murphy is a handful for Coady and in the end his fouls him! Full time.
Post-match 5 times we hit the woodwork!  What a game though, we dominated.  The 3 of Murphy, Ward and Gribbin were awesome.

Well the run was fun :(.

March

Away - Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-match If we give them a game, I'll be happy.
First half Lamela is causing us all sorts of problems.  It's a penalty.  Lamela crosses in and Fisher souls Son.  10th minute, Son steps up and hits in.  1 - 0 Tottenham.  Audero makes a fine save to deny Kane.  Lucky goal it's 2 - 0 in the 14th minute.  Eriksen crosses and Mawson hits it off Kane and it goes in.. again, how many goals do I concede like this?  20th minute it's 3 - 0.  Alli plays in Son and he hits in.  Is this going to be a cricket score?  Baldwin makes a huge mistake luckily Audero saves Eriksens shot.  Half time, going to go mental.  Gribbin has been awful so he and Grigg come off for Judge and Keane.
Second half Cross comes in and Kane heads it, he should score but Audero catches easily.  Keane crosses for Murphy and he heads to Lloris, sitter aswell.  Full time.
Post-match Tottenham weren't that good, we were just terrible!  United and City were alot better.

Home - Everton
Pre-match They're only just above us, a couple of changes.  I think I have a chance.
First half Deulofeu goes on a great solo run and Audero has to make a great save to deny!  Cahill should score at the back but Audero saves.  We need to turn our possession into chances!  He should score!  James corner comes in Adarabioyo is free but heads over!  Half time.
Second half Grrr.  It's 1 - 0 to Everton.  Roberts gives the ball away needlessley and they counter.  Deulofeu gets played in and scores.  20 minutes left.  Grigg for Keane, Gribbin for Hinds and Smallwood for Sheaf.  It's 2 - 0 in the 90th minute.  Such a simple clearance from Conti steps up Raul and he hits in.  Full time.
Post-match Everton made the better chances, we had 1 real chance.  We can't win games like that.

Away - AFC Bournemouth
Pre-match We try again.  Couple of squad changes.  3 teams on 27 including us and then Southampton on 26th in 19th, it's getting close.
First half 33 seconds and we concede.  They pass round us and we can't get a foot in.  De Silverstri crosses in low and Coric hits in.  1 - 0 to Bournemouth.  It's 1 - 1.  Grigg plays a superb ball to Hinds who runs down and smashes in after 17 minutes.  Mawson makes a mistake and Bournemouth somehow mess the attack up!  We were lucky there.  Half time!
Second half What a sitter!  We pass really well but some fortune Hinds has the ball in the box, he hits the post! 15 minutes left.  Gribbin, Sheaf and Keane replace Grigg, Murphy and Smallwood.  So close!  Bournemouth counter Hinds poor ball, cross in and Audero saves and the rebound hits the post! Phew!  It's full time.
Post-match Not a bad result considering.

Looking at the final games.  We have the 3 big teams in Chelsea, Arsenal and United and then 5 teams around us.  We should be getting atleast 10 points, could that keep us up?

Away - FA Cup 6th Round - Manchester United
Pre-match Just, give the fans the moneys worth.
First half 2nd minute it's 1 - 0 to United.  Cross comes in, Mawson heads out.  Audero is out of positon and Schneiderlin hits in from edge of the box.  2 - 0.  Corner come son, Schneiderlin flicks on and Bailly gets in.  Grigg replaces Keane and we go 4 - 4 - 2.  Might cost us but no idea how else to score.
Second half 3 - 0 to United in the 49th minute.  Corner comes in, Bailly collects, bit of ping pong in the box and Fosu-Mensah hits in.  Keane plays in Grigg and he hits the bar!  4 - 0 to United.  Cross into the box, Rashford to Guerrieiro to Chong who hits in.  Try a different tactic and Sheaf replaces Keane.  I'm out of ideas, they're better in every area.  It's 5 - 0.  Cross comes in and we head out, Keita collects on edge of box and hits in.  We cannot deal with the crosses. It's full time.
Post-match We got hammered and they have reserve players on.

Home - Southampton
Pre-match A must win, after the United game, will we turn up?  Going to change my wide players to winger, my AMC to a AP and my forward to Poacher, see how it works.
First half G. Ward is played in, it's a tight angle but he shoots with pace not precision and it's saved.  And we concede from a corner.. again.  Swung in, Austin flicks on and Virgil half volleys in after 24 minutes.  Penalty!  Brooks brings down Will Grigg!  Grigg steps up and.. hits in!  1 - 1 after 29 minutes.  Ward is in again and Forster is equal to him again!  Hiwula replaces Ward at half time.
Second half What a miss!  Murphy gets goalside, onside and played in.  He hits wide!  20 minutes left.  Gribbin on for Murphy and Keane on for Grigg.  WHATTT AAAA GOALLLLL!!!!  Hinds crosses outwards and 15 yards out Kasim just volleys with sheer power into the back of the net! 76 minutes.  Can we win!?  Austin misses a good chance with Audero catching his header.  It's 3 - 1!  Gribbin crosses, Keane flicks on and Hiwula heads in after 79 minutes!  Get in.  Should be 3 - 2 but Virgil heads onto the bar! MASSIVE RESULT.  FULL TIME.
Post-match What a win.  That tactic change paid off.  5 clear cut chances.  It's been a long time since I've seen that.  That Kasim goal has to be up there for goal of the month.

April

Home - Norwich City
Pre-match Hopefully carry the momentum.  Danny Ward starts as Gribbin is injured.
First half Norwich should score but there in form striker heads over!  Half time.  Smallwood replaces the injured Kasim.
Second half I think we should of scored.  Corner comes in and it's cleared only to Hiwula, he passes in to Adarabioyo, not alot of space but enough, he shoots and it's straight at the keeper.  60th minute Keane replaces Grigg.  Judge replaces Hinds with 20 minutes to go.  Can either side find a winner?  Full time.
Post-match We had the better chances, we should of won that really.

Away - Stoke City
Pre-match Another must win, they're right behind us on points.  I might regret this but starting Keane.  He's been involved in 25 games, 9 assists, 0 goals.
First half Really good movement from Stoke and there shot hits the post, unlucky.  It's 1 - 0 Stoke.  Poor from Mawson.  Shaqiri hits in the freekick and he just heads it back to him, first time cross and Carrillo hits in at the back post. Half time.
Second half 20 minutes left.  Grigg, G. Ward and Smallwood on for Keane, Hiwula and Smallwood.  It's 2 - 0.  Chandler crosses in, no one can defend and Audero misses his diving catch and Shaqiri hits in at the back post.  2 - 1 in the 82nd minute.  We have a chance!  Really good passing from G.Ward and Hinds to set up Grigg.  Full time.
Post-match We really needed to win that but we are away.  We're 16th by 3 points and a far superior G/D.

Home - Watford
Pre-match Going to be a difficult game.  A point would be good.
First half Quiet first half.
Second half It's 1 - 0 Rotherham in the 51st minute!  Murphy does brilliant down the left, crosses in and Grigg volleys in.  So close!  Watford have a long shot, pings the post but luckily Wass is offside for the rebound.  Danny Ward replaces Hinds and Sheaf replaces Kasim with 15 minutes to go.  Save!  Gray is in, he should score and Audero saves!  Dammit it's 1 - 1.  Deeny plays in Penaranda and he slots in.  Can we get the draw? 3 minutes left.  Full time!
Post-match Not happy to throw it away in the 87th minute but a draw isn't awful.

Away - Manchester United
Pre-match Do we have to endure this again :(?
First half Ball over to Grigg, he does really well to control and De Gea makes a good save.  It's 1 - 0 to United.  Kokes corner and De Vrij heads in. It's a penalty! Mawson fouls De Vrij!  Mata steps up and.. it's saved!  Half time.
Second half Out of ideas.  Baldwin, Hiwula and Keane replace Grigg, Mawson and Ward.  It's 2 - 0.  We can't get close.  No tackles, anything.  Passing round, Rashford sets up Mata who is 6 yards out and hits in.  Full time.
Post-match Atleast it wasn't 5 - 0 again.

May

Home - Chelsea
Pre-match Hiwula comes in for G. Ward.  Just don't get battered here and we might be okay.  Chelsea are in poor form though.
First half Should be 1 - 0 to Rotherham in 45 seconds.  James' corner swings in and Adarabioyo heads it at Begovic.  Penalty!  Rugani fouls Grigg!  He steps up and... Begovic saves! 2 chances, this might cost us our status in the prem! Kovacic does brilliant and Audero makes a top save to deny him.  Half time.  Even game but we've had the best chances!
Second half 20 minutes left.  Sheaf, Danny Ward and Keane replace Grigg, Murphy and Hinds.  HE SCORED, HE ACTUALLY SCORED.  Awful passing from Chelsea gives Danny Ward the ball, he crosses and WILL KEANE SCORES!  74th minute!  Full time!
Post-match That might be us in the prem for another year.  THE DOUBLE OF CHELSEA. That is awesome!

See why I was so happy?

Away - West Bromwich Albion
Pre-match They're 6 points behind.  Even a point will keep us in the league!
First half Audero has to make a good save to deny Fischers long shot!  Dendoncker should score but he hits the bar! It's half time.  WBA are probably the better side so far.
Second half 30 minutes left.  Sheaf replaces Smaloowood and both Wards come on to replace Murphy and Hiwula.  It's 1 - 0 to WBA.  Fischer shot is blocked and luckily falls to Janssen to hit in.  20 minutes left, go out all attacking.  Another woeful header from Adarabioyo.  He heads to Tete for some weird reason, he crosses in and Yacob finishes for 2 - 0.  Full time.
Post-match This might cost us.. 1 game to see.  We were pretty bad.

Home - Arsenal
Pre-match Can only try our best.  We should stay up due to our GD and Stoke can still go down, we'll see.
First half So close!  Grigg and Hinds 1 - 2 and Girggs shot it saved onto the post.  Murphy crosses and Grigg collects, he should score.  Arsenals first chance is a goal.  Bellerin crosses from the right and Ozil runs in and hits in.  Half time, can't believe I'm losing.
Second half He's onside!  It's 1 - 1! Hinds hits to Murphy who heads over to Grant Ward who hits in after 49 minutes! It's 2 - 1 in the 50th.  Griezmann hits a freekick, pings off the post and Bellerin taps in the rebound. Keane and Danny Ward replace Grigg and Hinds.  It's 3 - 1.  Ball over the top and Ozil is somehow onside, that's really poor.  He cuts back to Berardi who hits in easily.  It's 4 - 1 to Arsenal.  Another ball over and Silva is onside, unmarked and he runs into the box and hits in.  It's full time.
Post-match We crumbled.  BUT we're staying up!  Late drama, it's Stoke who are going down! Not WBA!

End of season:

How close is the table?!  Other seasons I'm sure we'd be down.  Alot of work to be done for next season.

Now, I have to figure out how to proceed with next season.  Tempted to try a totally different formation.  This started to work and we had chances, most games.  We need new strikers who can jump, that's for sure.  Alot of transfers inc I feel.

The bank has never looked so healthy!

 

This is crazy!  I'm Rotherham!

Stadium expansion:

[oneronaldo]

12 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

The bank has never looked so healthy!

 

This is crazy!  I'm Rotherham!

Oh yeah, Rotherham are loaded now

 

[johnstonpickle]

Brilliant season. A few sprinkles of quality might help you to consolidate nicely! 

Really looking forward to see how you spend all that money!! 

[Bedese]

Top stuff. TS is now minted  

[SpillBlood]

1 hour ago, Jupjamie said:

Top stuff. TS is now minted  

Was minted

[BoxToBox]

[SpillBlood]

The Andy King Season

Yes, I had to call it that.  He's a brilliant player and he's now a Miller!

New deal!

Transfers:

Rotherham spending this much in a season is insane but my god, what a team.

So let's go into more detail.

What's with all the ins and outs?  First, I hate wide players currently.  I cannot in the life of me get wide players to be as effective as other players.  So, my formation has changed massively.  Massive thanks to @shep171 and his Little Wonder formation you can find here.  I've bought players to fit that formation, used it in pre-season and watched my side play quality football.

This is my pre-season:

I mean, look at the stats from the Dortmund game and I didn't have my main strikers on.  Last season they'd of ruined us.

The team:

Goalkeepers - First choice: Emil Audero Backup: Ben Garratt and Jonathan De Bie.

Right back - First choice: Fabiano Backup: Maxime Colin Rasmus Jonsson

Center backs - First choice: Emil Bergstorm, Tosin Adarabioyo and Krystian Bielik.  Backup: Manilo Di Masi and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

Left back - First choice: Reece James. Backup: Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

Defensive Midfielder: First choice: Yaser Kasim and Bruno Zuculini Backup: Krystian Bielik and Manilo Di Masi

Midfielders: First Choice: Giannelli Imbula, Kaylen Hinds and Andy King! Backup: Ben Sheaf, Jeff Hendrick, Callum Gribbin and youngster Steve Townsend.

Strikers: First Choice: Jamie Vardy and Andre Gray.  Backup - Tammy Abraham, Will Grigg and Ole Martin Thodesen

Even at 31, King still looks the part and at 33 Vardy still looks brilliant.  He's currently tutorting Thodesen who I've been after for a couple of seasons.  Both Thodesen and Abraham are being trained as DLF.

The players out:

Some players that fans really like but they didn't fit this tactic and weren't good enough to keep us up.  Smallwood as a DM wouldn't of worked etc.  We needed new blood.  Players who are better in the air and stronger will help us alot. Grigg isn't good enough for this tactic but he's a cult hero for me, he's scored goals to keep us here and he should be a club icon really!  I didn't want to sell Mawson, he was supposed to be played here but when Palace bid he kicked off I rejected it so I let him go.  Bergstrom is his replacement.  I was looking at Michael Keane but refused to pay 14million for him.

Overall transfers:

It was really hard finding the players to fit the tactic.  I had two really good strikers incoming to play with Vardy but both failed permits.  Daniel Amarty was the plan for DMC and he was on a free!  But he failed a work permit.  I had a RB who wanted 50k a week, a B2B midfielder wanting 60k a week.  Both quality players but not worth the wage.  This should be quite a good season.  It's not even like I have a planned out first 11, the core of the squad is strong for sure.

Personally think the first touch and passing of the squad has improved alot, same with work rate.  I went for players with higher work rate and teamwork then I had.  I don't think the team report has updated fully though.

Right, I have man flu so I'm going to watch the Dreamhack Hearthstone tournament and crack on with the season!

[BoxToBox]

Thodesen looks an absolute steal.

[SpillBlood]

August

We should win this one.. surely?

Away - Newcastle United
Pre-match Newly promoted, let's see how the new tactic goes!
First half Close!  Vardys first touch is brilliant, he plays down to Gray who plays back and Krul makes a brilliant save to deny.  It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 21st minute!  Gray passes to Vardy who hits in!  It's 1 - 1 in the 25th minute.  Perez hits a sweet ball over the top and Henriquez hits in.  Half time!  Both fullbacks are subbed.
Second half So close!  Newcastle clear a cross and King hits from outside the box onto the bar!  Vardy can't get the rebound.  They clear, we attack and a Gribbin long shot hits the bar!  WHAT A GOAL.  Jamie Vardy!  Gribbin sees Vardy free to run, hits a ball up and Vardy runs up, takes on two and hits in after 51 minutes.   60th minute and Hendrick replaces King.  We counter and it's 3 of us vs 1 Newcastle player, Imbula shoots instead of feeding Gray and it's saved!  Full time.
Post-match Phew, that was close.  We hit the woodwork 3 hits and we had more chances, not clear cut but Jamie Vardy was brilliant.

Home - Aston Villa
Pre-match Colins starts but Borthwick-Jackson is injured so James keeps his spot.  Hendrick starts over King.  Villa are a good side, but playing at home boost our chances?
First half It's half time, we've dominated but not made that chance.
Second half Gray misses a great chance, Vardy crosses Gribbin heads down and Gray shoots, but hits the post! It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham!  Vardy crosses to Gray and he's outside the area, smashes it hits the bar and hits Gollini in the back to go in!  Penalty! Gray does really well, Hendrick crosses to Vardy and Golaniga fouls Vardy with a high foot.  Vardy steps up and.. he hits high and wide!  20 minutes left, Zuculini, King and Tammy replace Gribbin, Imbula and Vardy.  That was close!  Villa freekick, flicked on, headed, Audero saves and James clears off the line!  It's 2 - 0 Rotherham!  Good passing, Tammy sets up King and he drives in low!  Full time.
Post-match "Full time and Rotherham recorded a richly deserved victory, they were outstanding at times".  That's what the commentator said, that's really good to hear.

New player.  We were getting him in Jan but I've paid 20k to have now. Has potential, can we make him better?

Away - ELF Cup 2nd Round - Fleetwood Town
Pre-match Massive squad rotation!
First half Adarabioyo heads in Thodesens corner in the 2nd minute!  It's 1 - 1 in the 8th minute!  Bell plays a wonderful ball over and Viktorsson hits in a good strike.  It's 2 - 1 in the 18th minute!  King heads in Thodesens corner!  Half time, Gylfason replaces Jonsson.
Second half It's 3 - 1 in the 50th minute.  Sheaf hits in Tammys through ball!  It's 4 - 1 in the 58th minute.  The passing beteen Gylfason and Thodesen is great, Thodesen plays a ball through and Tammy hits in.  It's 5 - 1 in the 59th minute.  Thodesen hits in Hinds' through ball.  30 minutes left.  Townsend replaces Hinds.  It's 5 - 2 in the 68th minute.  McLauglin does brilliant, crosses and Viktorsson heads in.  It's full time.
Post-match Really good match.  Thodesen was awesome.

Away - Chelsea
Pre-match They'll want revenge and we can't use last seasons tactic.  Will this one work aswell?
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 2nd minute.  We counter and Kante manages to win the ball, his back pass is awful and Gribbin reaches before Rugani and hits in!  It's 2 - 0 in the 3rd minute.  Imbula does awesome, plays in Vardy and he hits in.  It's 3 - 0 in the 6th minute.  We pass so well and Hendrick plays in Gray who plays in Gribbin who gets his second.  Hat-trick hero.  It's 4 - 0 in the 22nd minute.  Vardy plays a lovely ball in and Gribbin runs down and hits in after 22 minutes.  28th minute.. it's 5 - 0!  Gribbin hits a lovely ball and Christensen misses the header!  Gray is in and hits in!  Half time, oh my.
Second half It's 5 - 1 in the 67th minute.  Oscar does brilliant down the right, crosses in and Carlos Lopez, a regen hits in.  20 minutes left.  Tammy, Thodesen and King replace Hendrick, Gray and Vardy.  We do so well and Courtois makes a good save to deny #6.  Full time.
Post-match Brilliant.  Bloody brilliant. 11 shots, 11 on target.  That's a great stat.

End of window:

So, Saul goes to PSG for 72million!  Firmino left Liverpool to go Dortmund a season ago.. he's gone to Manchester United :o.  Everton spend 47million on Amadou Diaware and Tottenham sold Hakan Calhanoglu for 43mil.  Mental.

End of month award:

Fully deserved.

September

More moneys!

Home - Norwich City
Pre-match Hopefully we can keep the form going.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Norwich in the 13th minute.  Bielik loses the ball in his own area to Naismith, he crosses low and Diamanatakos hits in.  14th minute it's 1 - 1 though!  James crosses in and Gray heads into the top corner.  Norwich should score but Diamantakos somehow hits wide! It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham though in the 28th minute!  Hendrick heads in Kasims freekick.  Half time.
Second half 60th minute.  Tammy and King replace Imbula and Vardy.  It's 2 - 2.  Colins awful pass lets Norwich counter, Cleverley plays in Borini who hits in.  Fabiano replaces Colin, don't want him to lose his head and get a second yellow.  15 minutes to go, can anyone win!?  Gray and Tammy switch roles, 10 minutes left.  Full time.
Post-match Not good enough, some bad passing cost us.

Away - Middlesbrough
Pre-match Fabiano is going to play a RB.  Keep the same team.  Feel bad King isn't starting but everyone is playing really well.
First half It's 1 - 0 to Rotherham in the 23rd minute.  We keep the ball and pass well.  We pass out right, Fabiano crosses and Vardy hits in.  Half time.  King replaces Gribbin.
Second half 2 - 0 in the 63rd minute.  Awful throw in from Middlesbrough, Imbula steals, passes to Gray, he gives to Vardy who turns and hits in.  20 minutes left.  Zuculini replaces Hendrick and Thodesen replaces Gray.  It's 3 - 0.  We keep and pass really well.  James is overlapping and the pass is made.  He crosses, Vardy collects, lays off King who hits in after 74 minutes.  Middlesbrough hit a corner outwards and Lass Bangoura picks up, dribbles and unleashes a shot.  Audero makes a good stop to deny.  Full time.
Post-match Very good team effort but Vardy was awesome!  We're top of the league after 5 games!

Away - ELF Cup 3rd Round - Queens Park Rangers
Pre-match Rotation!  Some players need fitness.
First half Thodesen is through but Long makes a great save, he probably should have scored though.  It's 1 - 0 to QPR.  Bit of luck but Colins header was woeful.  Aboubaker hits it, bounces off Garratt and Dowse hits into the open net.  What a save from Long!  Tammy to Towsend, he centers for King and Long saves!  We shouldn't be down at half time, but we are.
Second half Oh come on Garratt.... Musonda hits a low long shot, Garratt only palms onto the post and it goes in.  Should of been an easy enough save.  35 minutes left.  Grigg, Vardy and Hendrick on for Townsend, Tammy and Thodesen.  Grigg does so well but Long saves his shot.  Can we beat Long today?  Vardy and Grigg 1 - 2 with each other and Vardy hits in, 2 - 1 in the 62nd minute!  Game on! It's 2 - 2 in the 63rd minute!  Colin crosses, Grigg picks up, takes on his man and hits in!  It's 3 - 2 to Rotherham!  Grigg again!  King backheels and Grigg hammers it in!  Full time.
Post-match What a come back!  Wow, Will Grigg!

We'll see some old faces!  Smallwood, Hiwula and Fisher went to Bristol City.

City got wrecked!

Home - Bournemouth
Pre-match Maybe I should start Gray but I'm going to put Vardy and Grigg upfront together after that performance from him!  King starts in the CM-A role, he has done well when I've put him there.
First half Unlucky!  Vardy crosses and King hits it on the half volley, smashes against the bar!  What a save from Areola, we counter and Vardy runs from our own half but his shot is saved.  Vardy picks up the ball and we attack, passing through it's Grigg who sets up King and he slots in to make it 1 - 0 after 35 minutes.  Areola makes a huge save to deny Vardy after he steals the ball at the back!  Half time, we've been really good.
Second half 47th it's 2 - 0 to Rotherham.  Good passing and Grigg to Vardy.  Vardy backheels through to Hendrick who hits in.  60th minute.  Gray replaces Grigg and Zuculini replaces Kasim.  Gribbin replaces Imbula for the last 20 minutes.  Full time.
Post-match Very nice win and we go back to the top.  I love this tactic.

The table so far with this tactic in use:

[SpillBlood]

October

Away - Watford
Pre-match They're doing really well.  We'll have to be at our best to get a result.
First half Deeney should score, we tackle and it goes back and sets him up.  He hits wide! How didn't we score? Freekick, Bieliks header is saved.  Hit back up and Bergstorm should head in easy, he hits the bar!  It's 1 - 0 to Watford.  They attack and Pereya hits out wide to Santos, he crosses low and Delaney hits in after 17 minutes.  It's 1 - 1 in the 20th!  Really good passing and Hendrick tries to hit one! It's blocked and the ball lands to King who volleys it into the net.  It's 2 - 1 to Watford but no, Deeney is offside!  It's 1 - 1 still.  This time it is 2 - 1 to Watford.  Defense opened too easily, Santos hits a long ball over the top and Deeney takes down and hits in after 36 minutes.  Half time.
Second half Lovely move and Lopez saves Kings shot, close! 30 minutes left.  Gribbin, Thodesen and Grigg replace Imbula, Vardy and Gray.  The forwards haven't had a good game.  It's 3 - 1 to Watford.  Deeney hits in Santos low cross.  My bad, I should changed it at half time to close Santos down, he's caused problems.  90th minute we hit the bar but it's full time!
Post-match Stats wise, we were better.  We didn't put our chances away where Watford did.

We've just lost Hendrick for 2 months =[.

Home - Manchester City
Pre-match Aslong as we give them a game, I'll be happy.  Few changes.  Zuculini, Tammy, Adarabioyo and Gribbin start.  Sheaf, Bielik, Gray, and Gray go to the bench.
First half Bruno Zuculini scores against his former club!  Cross comes in and Stones heads out to Zuculini who hits in!  It's 2 - 0!  Vardy does awesome and crosses in for the oncoming Tammy!  He smashes it in after 11 minutes!  It's 3 - 0 after 20 minutes!  James up to Vardy who passes to Gribbin and plays in Tammy for his 2nd!  Hat-trick hero!  29th minute we counter and make City look like mugs.  Vardy to Zuculini to Gribbin to Tammy and he slots low in.  Half time!  Brilliant.
Second half It's 4 - 1 in the 60th minute.  Cross comes in and Aguero heads down and Rafa hits in.  65th minute.  Gray replaces Vardy, Sheaf replaces King and Di Masi replaces Kasim.  It's 4 - 2, too easy.  Quick pass over the top from Rafa and Aguero slots in.  Full time.
Post-match Tammy Abraham was awesome.  My subs were a bit poor though.  Second half wasn't anywhere near as good as the first.  Beating City is still great.

We've lost Gribbin for 3 weeks.

Away - Liverpool
Pre-match They're below us by one spot.  It's at Anfield.  It'll be difficult.
First half Grujic drills a half volley from 30 yards and Audero saves onto the post!  Too easy, 17th minute Liverpool go 1 - 0 up.  Zuculini is tackled by Henderson, he hits a long ball up and Preciado hits in at Auderos near post.  Audero makes a brilliant save to stop Berands shot, should be there second.  It's 2 - 0.  Luan gets on the end of James' awful back pass and hits in after 25 minutes.  What an awful hit.  We attack, quick passes and Tammy is in and he shoots wide.  That has to be a red card!?  It is!  Henderson makes a horrible challenge on Zuculini!  43rd minute Liverpool go down to 10.  Gray replaces Tammy and Bielik replaces James with Bergstrom going LB.
Second half It's 2 - 1 in the 69th minute.  Kasim hits the freekick, Imbula flicks on and Adarabioyo hits in.  Can we equalise? 10 minutes left and Hinds replaces King.  It's 3 - 1 to Liverpool.  Awful defending, Bernard passes through and Preciado hits in.  It's full time.
Post-match Jeez, we sucked.  We missed good chances and defended poorly.

Home - ELF Cup 4th Round - Bristol City
Pre-match Few rotation.  Some injuries so Gylfason starts at LB.
First half We've dominated, just not made a good chance.
Second half Good chance but Grigg hits wide.  This time he scores.  1 - 0 in the 54th minute. 60th minute.  Townsend and Gray replace Thodesen and Zuculini.  It's 2 - 0 in the 87th minute.  Towsend plays in Gray, takes his man on and hits in.  Sweeney should score but Garratt saves!  Full time.
Post-match Good win, we played well.  Wasn't as easy as I'd liked.

Let's get revenge!

Home - Arsenal
Pre-match Hoping for a positive result.  Anything better then the Liverpool game.
First half Too easy.  Ball up to Chamberlain, he crosses low and Griezmann hits in after 18 minutes.  King should score, we counter really well and he's on the edge of the box and shoots high and wide.  It's 1 - 1.  Good passing, Imbula bursts into the box and crosses, Vardy gets up and heads in after 33 minutes.  It's 2 - 1 to Rotherham and it comes with a bit of luck.  We attack well but Vardy gets tackled, Jones smashes off Vardy and it falls kindly to King and he hits in.  Half time!
Second half  Awful!  It's 2 - 2.  Ball up from Arsenal, CB leaves for Audero, he kicks it against Alexis and he taps into an open net!  Grigg repalces Gray and Di Masi replaces Fabiano with 25 minutes to go.  It's 3 - 2 to Rotherham!  Arsenal are on the edge of our box a couple of minutes, passing waiting for a gap.  They knock it out to the left and we tackle Gaya, counter up to Grigg.  Pass around ourselves waiting for an opening.  Kasim hits a wonderful ball to Hinds who plays in Vardy who smashes in, he's JUST onside.  What a save.  Hinds passes back, not sure whether it was meant for Bielik or Audero as it went to neither.  It's at Griezmanns feet and he smashes it but Audero saves!  What a left off!  Arsenal corner come sin, it's flicked on and Mertesacker should score but he heads over!  Can we hold on!? 2 minutes left!  Full time!
Post-match What a bloody crazy game!  Vardy was superb!

One month later the table is a bit different!

[SpillBlood]

November

Away - Sunderland
Pre-match They're a good side, I'll do well to win.
First half Ohh it's 1 - 0.  Gray crosses to King on the edge of the area and he volleys it in with sheer power after 13 minutes.  It's 2 - 0.  Vardy plays a lovely ball to Gray, he dribbles and slots in after 32 minutes.  Bergstorm makes a great last minute block to keep it 2 - 0! Half time.  Di Masi and Zuculini replace Imbula and Kasim.
Second half That's so greedy! Mallahi beats James and it's 2 v 1.  Bergstorm goes to close down and instead of passing to his team mate he shoots very wide! Last 20 minutes Tammy replaces Vardy.  It's 3 - 0.  Lovely passing from Rotherham, we make so many passes before Gray to Hinds plays in Tammy and he hits in.  That's lovely football.  It's 4 - 0!  Corner comes in from James and Slattery beats Tammy to the ball but heads in his own net!  He has to me a Miller heading in a goal like that!  It's full time.
Post-match We were brilliant.  Gray and King were top notch.

Had to argue my case but

They gave me this no questions asked

Home - West Bromwich Albion
Pre-match Let's keep it going!  17 day gap I think it is?  Some rustiness for sure.  Hasselbaink has been mouthy in the press so I really want to win.
First half It's in!  Gray crosses, Vardy heads and Sirigu palms onto his bar, it bounces down and in after 6 minutes!  2 - 0 in the 21st minute!  Fabiano crosses and Vardy runs in and knocks in for his brace.  Penalty!  Tete takes down Vardy!  40th minute Vardy steps up and.. hat-trick!  Half time, awesome.  Gribbin is back and he's coming on for Hinds.
Second half  Penalty!  Gribbin plays in Vardy and Nkoulou fouls him!  Vardy steps up and.. Sirigu saves in the 49th minute! 60th minute Zuculini replaces Imbula.  Should be 3 - 1.  Nicolai Muller does awesome down the right, skins James and crosses.  Hassan has so much to aim for and basically passes to Audero. Hassan scores in the 62nd minute though!  He heads in Djuricics cross.  Tammy replaces Gray with 20 minutes left.  It's 3 - 2!  Cross comes in, Hassan hits, it bounces back to him and it manages to go in the bakc of the net!  Can WBA equalise?!  They should be Hassan hits the post!  The crossing is causing problems, James is struggling.  It's 4 - 2 though!  Bergstorm hits a lovely ball up, Vardy takes, dribbles and slots in after 88 minutes.  Full time.
Post-match Vardy was amazing yet again, what a player.

Away - Crystal Palace
Pre-match Let's see if we can keep it going.  We've scored the most goals in the league so far, that's awesome.
First half Palace should be 1 - 0 up. Wilshere crosses and Slimani heads it but Audero saves.  Penalty to Rotherham!  Maguire fouls Bielik.  Vardy steps up.. can he make it 2 in 3?  It's in!  It is 2 in 3.  1 - 0 after 28 minutes.  What a hit!  Gray passes to Vardy, he picks up and he just let's it fly from 25 yards out.  Keeper has no chance.  2 - 0 in the 30th minute!  It's 3 - 0 in the 39th minute!  Fabiano crosses and Gray heads it, looks like he tries to flick on but it's a great header to go over the keeper and in the corner!  Half time, awesome.
Second half Gribbin, Zuculini and Di Masi come on for Hinds, Imbula and Kasim with 20 minutes to go.  It's 3 - 1 in the 82nd minute.  Seferovic steals the ball from Fabiano, bursts down, takes on Bergstorm and Bielik and slots in for Slimani to hit in.  Should be 4!  James corner', Bergstorm heads to Bielik and he heads over!  Gribbin has a long shot and it's over!  Full time.
Post-match "What a display by Gray" um what about MotM with 2 goals Jamie Vardy ^_?

End of month award:

Deserved.

Tammy wants first team, but I can't give it him with these two in form.

I mean look how the league has changed again!

December

Home - ELF Cup Quater Final - Liverpool
Pre-match First team, I want revenge!  We've never beat them, infact we've lost all 3 times.  But we're in form, at home and I want the ELF Cup!
First half Yes!  4 minutes in, Hinds plays in Gray and he smashes in!  1 - 0.  Should be 2!  It's Gray who plays in Hinds but hits wide!  Half time, we've been the better side.
Second half It's 2 -0!  They were about to be subbed but Imbula sets up Vardy and he slots in after 72 minutes. 15 minutes left.  Di Masi, Zuculini and Borthwick-Jackson replace James, Bielik and Kasim.  Goal!  It's 3 - 0 to Rotherham!  Great passing, waiting and Gray passes back to Hinds and he hits it first time just inside the box into the top corner, keeper no chance after 81 minutes.  Phew!  I think Fabiano slips and it lets Luan in, he should score but Audero makes a great save.  So close to 4!  King has the ball in space, shoots and it's the bar!  Full time!
Post-match We hammered them, hammered.  That's bloody awesome.

If we get past Manchester United.  There's a chance we can win this.

I fancy a win here though!

Home - Swansea City
Pre-match Let's keep the form going, they're 18th.
First half We're the better team but struggling to get any shots on target.  King has a knock so at galf time Zuculini replaces.
Second half 46th minute Vardy is injured :(.  Tammy replaces.  We go close, really good passing and Gray plays in Hinds but his shot is saved.  Close again, Kasim hits a freekick and it smashes the bar.  30 minutes left, Grigg replaces Gray.  Last 20 minutes, we switch to fluid, try and get a goal.  It's full time.
Post-match Swansea defended well, we couldn't break them down.

Vardy is out for a month.  December is the worst month to be aswell.  Can Tammy show his worth?

Home - West Ham United
Pre-match Borthwick-Jackson starts at LB and Zuculini replaces Imbula in midfield.
First half Same again, dominated but no shots on target.
Second half  It's 1 - 0!  Zuculini does look offside but it's given, good passing and Gray heads in.  No, he's onside, 100% onside!  58th minute.  20 minutes left.  Gribbin, Grigg and Colin who's back from injury on for Hinds, Tammy and Fabiano.  It's 1 - 1 where's the marking?  Corner comes in and Sule is at the back free, he heads out to Svendsen who just lays off Sule and he volleys in.  12 minutes left, can any team win?  Full time.
Post-match Even game, we need to get back to our winning ways though.

Away - Southampton
Pre-match Some roation here.  Got some players who need rest for the Manchester United game.  This is being play on Weds after Sat and United is on Sun.
First half It's red.  Maxime Colin chops down Kalulu after 11 minutes.  That's awful.  This will be hard.  Sheaf goes RB.  It's 1 - 0 to Southampton.  Freekick, Cabaye hits out wide, Troupee plays in Redmond and he smashes in.  It's 2 - 0.  Borthwick-Jackson loses the ball after dewelling.  Clasie crosses and Boufal hits in.  Half time.  Bergstorm comes on for Thodesen and Gray for Grigg.  Get the extra man in midfield and 1 uptop.
Second half 3 - 0 it's an own goal.  Redmond crosses and somehow Di Masi just Leeroy Jenksins into the ball, it bounces off him and in.  So close!  Gray dribbles and hits it, just wide.  Reece Oxford smashes one from 30 yards!  He hits the bar!  Full time.
Post-match It'd be harsh to blame Colin but getting sent off after 11 minutes really cost us.  Fined him a weeks wages.

Home - Manchester United
Pre-match GLHF.
First half Audero makes a brilliant save to deny Firmino!  Half time and it's an even game.

Second half Audero makes a huge save.  Cross comes in, we head out and Denis Suarez hits on the volley, he gets down to save.  THAT HAS TO BE RED!?  It is ! Umitti makes a horrible foul on Gray.  40 minutes to go!  25 minutes left and 3 subs to try get something going.  Gribbin, Zuculini and Grigg on.  Hinds, Tammy and Imbula off.  What the hell was that!?  It's now a red card to Rotherham.  For no reason Fabiano fouls like a complete moron!  Subs used, Zuculini going RB! No way!  Grigg plays in Gray, he's 1 on 1 and De Gea saves.  That should of been a goal and win.
Post-match I guess a draw is fair.  We had the best chance and we didn't score.

Home - Newcastle United
Pre-match Tammy and Gray switch roles.  Let Gray attack.  Sheaf has to play RB, they're both suspended.
First half Dominated but no shots on target again.
Second half Woodman makes a good save to deny Gray, some our passing is very odd.  We're knocking on the door but we can't find a way in!  Thodesen and Grigg replace Tammy and Gray with 30 minutes to go.  It's 1 - 0!  King finds Thodesen and he crosses, Grigg heads in after 71 minutes!  We should score!  Thodesen swings in the corner, Bergstorm heads down and Kasims shot is very tame and into the hands of Woodman.  Full time.
Post-match MUCH better second half but I don't think Gray and Tammy can actually play together.  MotM was Sheaf at RB!

Home - Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-match Grigg starts over Tammy.  Will Gray and Grigg work? Zuculini starts for Kasim, he needs a rest.
First half It's 1 - 0 Tottenham.  Some poor passing, Cornet does Sheaf and crosses low for Kane to hit in.  Half time, we gotta play better second half.
Second half Gray shoots and it takes a deflection but only onto the post!  30 minutes left.  Tammy, Thodesen and Gribbin on.  Hinds, Gray and Grigg off.  Full time.
Post-match We hit the woodwork twice, that could of been a different game with a bit of luck.

Home - FA Cup 3rd Round - Ipswich Town
Pre-match Alot of changes, some players need rest.
First half Better team, just need to make the chance.
Second half Own goal but Thodesen claims.  Great ball from Hendrick to Thodesen, he crosses and the keeper makes a hash of it and it goes in after 56 minutes.  Great save!  Townsend plays in Thodesen but Bialowski makes a huge save to deny.  Audero denies to keep it 1 - 0 in the 91st minute after we gave the ball away cheaply! Full time.
Post-match We had some reserve players in but we should of played slightly better.

Going into January the table looks like this.  We've had a bad December and Vardy was a huge miss.  If we quality for the Champions League I'll be buzzin'.  Will there be reinforcements?  There are some VERY good players transfer listed :o.