FM24: Rotherham United. We need a rebuild!

[SpillBlood]

After a year break from Football Manager.  My "yearly" Rotherham United save is back and my word, it's going to be the biggest job yet!



The database.



The normal introduction.







Is the squad good enough to be stay up? Possibly.  We do have squad issues though. 

We have an amazing GK in Viktor Johansson who'll be key for us this season.

Our best right back is out on loan at Peterborough and I'll be bringing him back in January.  Peltier is our best fulllback and Dexter Lembikisa, a 19 year old on loan from Wolves is our best WB.  I would not like to see him playing at RB for us, he isn't good enough defensively.  Blackett is a better CB and should make a brilliant partnership with Humphreys.

Bramall has blistering pace at LB but not alot else.  Our cover at LB is Seb Revan, a 19 year old from Aston Villa, is he good enough? In real life, he's looked decent enough, on the game? Absolutely not.

Our strength should come in the middle of our midfield.  The first summer record singing in Christ Tiehi, he's a solid ball winning midfielder, we have Cafu who is more creative and Rathbone who is our box to box.  Lindsday when fit can cover the midfield.  Odoffin can cover DM/CM and RB and Sam Clucas will be a good sub.

Our wide players are interesting.  Fred Onyedima has buckets of pace and should be one of our best players, it depends if I can get him firing.  Arvin Appiah is still young, has potential and has good pace aswell.  They'll be the main players out wide.  Andre Green can cover both flanks.

Uptop we have our record signing Sam Nombe, Jordan Hugill, Georgie Kelly and Tom Eaves.

Grant Hall, Shane Ferguson and Jamie Lindsay are all injured for 3 - 4 months.

I need to figure out what formation we want to play.  It's either 4 - 3 - 3 or 5 - 3 - 2.  Probably both as we don't have enough depth out wide and we actually have some alright bottom championship defenders.  I would like to make a Nombe + Kelly/Hugill parternship aswell.  We'll see how pre-season goes, if we need to add any depth to our team, I say that when we have no finances to play with.  Matt Taylor did bring alot of players in the summer, breaking our record signing twice.



An out of favour Rotherham player Tolaji Bola is wanted, he'll only save 2k wages but he can bring in 100k.  I don't mind Bola in real life but he isn't even registered in the team so selling him doesn't seem too bad.

Maybe we'll look at what free players are out there or what the loan market can bring.
 

[SpillBlood]

Another thing about Rotherham United, something that is an issue in real life and even more so when we enter the game.

The lack of backroom staff!





I'm getting suggestions who to bring in!  Can I afford anyone? No .

This will be on hold until next season unless I can find some very cheap coaches.

[warlock]

9 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

unless I can find some very cheap coaches

Any coaches will be better than none .

I've enjoyed your previous saves with Rotherham so it's good to have you back. Good luck 

Edited December 19, 2023 by warlock

[SpillBlood]

Pre-season

We didn't even play bad against Villa, we had a couple of good chances and they didn't exactly hold back unleashing Moussa Diaby against us but supposedly fans were leaving early and I was to tell my players I wasn't happy with the performance, alright then.

I totally messed up against Shrewsbury, cruising, Cafu injured so I brought on another striker, lost our shape and yeah, my bad.

The rest I've been messing around between two tactics, both are working, I think I prefer 3 5 2 which will be interesting as I've never played with a formation like that before.  I've always prefered 4 - 4 - 2 or 4 - 3 - 3. 

So I've been working with this formation.  It's also the first time if I recall correctly I've had two uptop on attack duty but it's been working so far.



I've been liking the match engine and watching the play from our midfield.  This isn't our first 11, just who started against Worksop.  Clucas has been brilliant as an AP-S, covering for the injured Cafu. 

We haven't got Cafu or Bramall for the opening game against Stoke so Bola is still at the club and I reckon he'll still be here until January as I plan to have a bit of a rejig in January when it comes to players, returning players, loans etc.

At the end of August I will have a staff update, I've sacked my assistant and coaches and have started to bring in much better quality, two of them I just need to wait on work permits.

Matches in August



I'm hoping to get 4 points out of this, I'd love to go to Stoke and bring back 3 points.  I can't see why we can't get a home result against Blackburn and maybe a point against Sunderland.  I don't expect to do much against Leicester but we can try our best.

It's time for my first competitive game of the save!  Will us building morale against lower opposition in friendlies helped? Only one way to find out!

Edited December 20, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

August



I reckon we just edged the opening game of the season, Odoffin hit the post and Ben Wilmot was sent off in the 83rd minute but the end result was a draw.  We just needed a little bit more class.

The Blackburn game hurt, Odoffin did put us up and I thought we were getting the three points until Lewis Travis equalised in the 88th minute and Dominic Hyam charged in to head the ball home in the 94th to give Blackburn all 3 points.

It was the Clucas show at The Stadium Of Light.  Two goals and an assist, he was the difference in a very close game.

Leicester were probably the better side but we did hit the woodwork three times!  We were so close to edging the game but a draw at home to Leicester is a big result!





We're 15th and I don't mind that, we're keeping it tight, three clean sheets but I do need to figure a way to get more from my strikers.  I'm thinking maybe a mezalla instead of an advanced playmaker may help.  We'll see.

Carabao Cup



We managed to get a home win against Stoke after Hugill headed home after our draw earlier in the week.



Nombe got his first Rotherham goal and I was really happy with this, we played players for fitness, I had Revan at LWB, Bola at CB, Onyedinma at RWB etc, it wasn't a first 11 or players in their natural position.



Hopefully it brings in some money 'cause that's a big ask .

End of Transfer Window

It's actually bad news, I checked the clauses on my loan players, those I thought we could replace in January will be here for the rest of the season.  Some of them are taking up wages I could really spend on better players.  Bola stayed as I need him for cover.  The squad we started with will be the squad until the end of the season.  There may be a couple of changes in January but there would need to be interest first.

This shows the battle we have this season.



Here's the top half.



And then us.



Staff



We've made good improvements to our coaching team, we've brought in some better scouts but I don't feel the need to bring in recruitment analysts etc.

New Record



Considering he still makes a good rotation player for us, we'll no doubt see Peltier finish the record at 37 years old.

Next Month



I'm hoping we can get a Huddersfield win and a Cardiff draw, anything else is a good result.  Some tough games but then again this is a very tough league this year.

 

Edited December 20, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

September



We were 2 - 0 down to Norwich and it was looking bleak.  I changed my CM roles to both Mezzala, a couple of instruction tweaks and wow, what a difference it made.  Hugill pulled one back and Rathbone equalised in the 80th minute, we were unlucky not to go on and win.

I changed to the same tactic in the away game at Huddersfield and even though we had less possession than normal, we hammered them 4 - 0!  What a result!  Blackett opened with a header, Hugill scored a pen, Nombe got our 4th and Super Sam Clucas got our 4th just after the break. 

We took our form into the away game at The Den.  Rathbone opened the scoring after 5 minutes and Hugill doubled our lead after 20.  Millwall tried to point a come back in the second half with Zian Flemming pulling one back but we managed to take all three points back to Rotherham.

The Preston game was close, so so close.  It could have got either way, we had the possession but both teams had chances, Clucas set up Hugill in the 14th minute for an all important three points.

We'd just suffered a heavy defeat to Manchester United, morale wasn't what it had been and we had some players out.  Hugill had been sent off against Manchester United, Morrison got injured and is out for a few weeks and Clucas needed a rest.  Hall came in and nearly gifted Cardiff a goal within minute, Cafu did his best impression of being a footballer and Kelly can't hit a barn door.  Both teams were awful but Perry NG scored a freekick for Cardiff to take all 3 points.

I'm hoping we can pick up morale in our next game.

We're 9th after 9, that's brilliant.





Carabao Cup



Yes, we lost 5 - 1 but we played well with 10 men and I would have loved to see our efforts with 11.  I can't fault the players, I can fault Hugill. It was strange with fans leaving early and telling the team after that atleast they gave it all they had and they seem to switch off.  5 - 1 against Manchester United with 10 men isn't that bad, it could have been so much worse on another day.

Next Month



I'm hoping we can get 6, if not 9 points here.  I'd be happy with 7.  Just need us to get back to winning ways after losing the last two games of September.

[SpillBlood]

October



Brilliant month.  We were so close to a full green month!

Former Rotherham loanee Zak Vyner put Bristol City ahead after 27 minutes but Rathbone again got himself on the scoresheet and equalised in the 40th minute so we went in at the break equal.  Second half we were so much better, Nombe getting a brace in the 47th and 48th win and sub Grant Hall scoring his first Rotherham goal in the 89th minute to seal the victory.

We were 3 - 1 up against Southampton and we threw it away!  Nombe put us ahead after 6 minutes, Rathbone doubled our lead after 25 but they pulleed one back through Che Adams but that man Nombe gave us the two goal lead back.  Kyle Walker-Peters scored in the 44th and Adam Armstrong in the 45+1 to equalise.  That flank with those two was too good, it was so hard to stop.  The second half could have gone either way, we both hit the woodwork but Carlos Alcaraz put Soton ahead in the 82nd minute.  They just had too much class but what an attempt.

Georgie Kelly replaced Nombe who had picked up a knock the day before the match.  Kelly broke his duck and put us ahead against Ipswich Town after 19 minutes and the points looked pretty much done until former loanee George Hirst equalised in the 83rd minute.  I was a bit annoyed with myself as I'd make some questionable subs just for fitness as we have three games in the space of a week.  Thankfully Captain Sean Morrison headed home in the 88th minute to the points were ours.

It was a similiar script against Coventry City.  Hugill put us ahead through a penalty after 30 minutes, they scored the next minute but a huge call from the liner to give offside.  After that it was all us, I made subs as we had Sheff Weds just days after and Josh Eccles headed home in the 79th minute to equalise, Coventrys first shot on target!  Georgie Kelly got his second of the month after 85 minutes, headed in Shane Fergusons freekick.

It took 10 minutes for that man Nombe to put us ahead against Sheffield Wednesday but then we just let them attack.  Gassama pulling one back for Wednesday after 24 minutes.  They got a scolding at half time and after the break we were the better team, we just didn't put our chances away and it ended up in a bitter draw.

Huge month though, more points than I expected and a healthy looking table.  We're in a play off spot just 2/3s of the season left .



Viktor loses his top three spot in clean sheets.



Next Month



I'd be happy with 4 points.  QPR are 23rd and we're at home so I really hope we can win that one.  The others are tough games.

[willemvandoorn15]

Good luck, i hope u dont end up in the prem too early, struggle a lot and lose the fun in the game.

[SpillBlood]

2 hours ago, willemvandoorn15 said:

Good luck, i hope u dont end up in the prem too early, struggle a lot and lose the fun in the game.

Right now I'm hoping the same, we're floating in the play offs because some of the other big teams are struggling and alot of managers are being replaced where we're flying high.

[SpillBlood]

November



Another brilliant month! 

Nombe gave us the lead against APQR after 20 minutes.  Rathbone put us two up at the stroke of half time.  It was that man Rathbone against scoring in the 55th to give us all 3 points.  QPR had 2 shots, none on target.  Dykes headed over their only good chance of the game.

What a game against Watford!!! Oli Rathbone goal, Oli Rathbone assist from Lembikisa, Oli Rathbone goal and then in the 96th minute, Oli Rathbone goal.  This is a new feature for me and the first time one of my players has won it.  Oh yeah, they did win a penalty in the first half but they tried a panenka and Viktor laughed at it as he caught the ball.



The Leeds game was looking to be a bore draw before Cresswell headed in after Kelly misjudged the flight of the ball in the 82nd minute.  Nombe equalised in the 83rd after a huge mistake in the Leeds defense left an open net and a pass to Nombe to hit home, I was buzzing .  Sadly, Shackleton hit a long range shot in after 92 minutes for Leeds to take home all 3 points.

The Hull match was a  great spectactle for the neutral.  Seri put Hull ahead after 2 minutes, Rathbone equalised after 11, Hugill put us ahead but Slater pulled one back after 30 minutes and we went in level at the break.  Odoffin was robbed of goal of the month after he scored a 30 yarder, I event shouted out loud wtf .  Incredible hit.  Rathbone again scored to give us our fourth in the 84th minute and Connolly scored a consolation in the 90th.

And he here is again.



What a month.





Rathbone was rightly Player of the Month.





Nice guy.



Still think Odoffin was robbed .  After seeing the replay of Grays goal, both of my players were absolutely robbed!

Next Month



Alot of games, going to need to rotate.  Leicester and Boro have both got new managers, could be an interesting but difficult month. 

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by SpillBlood

[warlock]

You'll have to be careful if you're going to avoid that promotion 

[SpillBlood]

December



A month with injuries and rotation but a very good month.

A mad game against Birmingham, they were 2 - 0 up within 27 minutes and I thought to myself, we might lose this one, to Rooney, really?  Odoffin pulled one back just before the half time whistle and then Clucas equalise just after half time.  Ex-Rotherham loanee Conor Coventry put Birmingham back ahead but Kelly set up Appiah for his first Rotherham goal in the 78th minute and Kelly stepped up himself to give us the win after 93 minutes .

Nombe put us ahead againt Swansea but Jamal Lowe pulled it back in the 37th minute to enter the half even.  Tiehi scored a real belter for his first Rotherham goal and then Oli Rathbone was sent off in the 62nd minute for a secone yellow!  It didn't matter though, we were still in control against managerless Swansea and Kelly scored our 3rd in the 83rd minute to seal all 3 points.

Close game against West Brom to start with.  Blackett headed home after 40 minutes and Kelly scored our 2nd from the penalty spot after 48 minutes.  Ex-Rotherham player (I swear in the last two posts I've had so many ex-Rotherham players score against me) Semi Ajayi pulled one back through an assist from... another Ex-Rotherham loanee!  All 3 points belonged to Rotherham!

Clucas set up Hugill in the 23rd minute against Plymouth to give us a win, a scrappy game.

A good draw against Leicester, we lost Bramall early on through injury and had to play scrappy.  A draw away is a very good result.

'Boro just got the better of us.  Nothing to separate the teams.  Howson put Middlesbrough ahead after 7 minutes and Lindsay equalised in the 63rd.  Greenwood found a winner from outside the box in the 93rd minute to take all 3 points back to the Riverside.

Considering we had to sub Blackett, Rathbone and Hugill against Sunderland through injuries.  Nombe scoring the winner in the 69th minute and us keeping a clean sheet is a big win.

We may have an injury crisis incoming and January we will need reinforcements.  We're without some key players.

I really don't want to get promoted this season we'd finish bottom if we did.

G'wan Kelly.



FA Cup Draw

A game we really need to win!

Youth intake



Excellent intake shows how bad our youth level is.

Next Month



We have tough games and injuries, it could be a bleak month.

Edited December 23, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

9 minutes ago, warlock said:

You'll have to be careful if you're going to avoid that promotion 

I think I'll be alright, some key injuries so I can see results dropping off and Norwich have picked up form.  If I get Southampton in the play offs I've lost anyway .

[SpillBlood]

January

Awful in the league, brilliant in the cup.

I made a huge error, I cancelled alot of loans before the Blackburn game, so my players were still absolutely knackered from the Sunderland match or injured.  We had no chance.  Blackburn battered us for 90 minutes.

We were dire against Stoke, we looked like we'd never played a game together though we'd just scored 5 in the cup.  Moraes scored in the 40th minute and Burger in the 43rd and the points went to Stoke.

'Boro was frustrating.  Poor again but we came out trying in the second half, problem is we were offside for two goals that was just poor to be offside.  Freekick is hit, goalkeeper saves, Tiehi hits in and he's offside, poor.  Kelly pulled one back in the 97th minute through a pen but it wasn't enough.

Ipswich was even worse, they went ahead after 4 minutes through Khadra, Hugill equalised and then Morsy was sent off for a terrible tackle.  We struggled against 10 men, Clucas put us ahead but Broadhead equalised in the 93rd minute as their GK headed the ball to him as our new loan striker missed the ball, two games he's made two mistakes, I'd have been better off with Eaves.

We've dropped down, probably for the better though.





FA Cup



New players/loans came in and battered Sheffield Weds, was brilliant.



We're either against Wolves or Nottingham Forest next.

Deadline Day



Krafth is a huge signing, Fiorini has been alright before he picked up an injury and Daferner has been awful.

He's a huge signing for us.  Why I needed to get rid of bad loans, to have wages to bring in this sort of player.

In



Kioso has also been recalled from his loan

Out



Green didn't get played, Cafu wasn't my sort of player and I wanted to cash in and get his wage off the books.  Bola wasn't playing.

I sent Appiah, Revan, Fred back to their parent club to save wage.  They weren't needed and it was alot of wage.

Eaves may be going to Ireland and we may be getting in a CB for free.

We're still bottom of the wage table.




Next Month



We need to get our form back and win a league game.  I can't see why we can't get 6 points in Feb.

Edited December 23, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

February



Brilliant month.

Considering how complimentary I'd been about Southampton last time we played, they were awful.  It easy and they had one shot on target all game.  Cluclas, Rathbone and Tiethi all on the scoresheet with Tiehis strike netting his goal of the month .

We had a lucky escape against Leeds!  Gnonto found a loose ball and space and put Leeds ahead after 3 minutes.  We couldn't deal with them, they were too quick and good for us.  Out of nothing, Fiorini squares the ball to Kelly who slots in after 73 minutes to equalise, our only shot on target.  Leeds had the better chances but it was a draw.

We may have fouled them a little to stop play aswell



Roles reserved against Hull.  Our xG was 3.03, we had so many chances with Cohen Bramall heading over when he basically had an open net to head in.  Nombe put us ahead after 63 minutes and I'm thinking I know Daferner isn't doing that well but we're holding our shape.  A bad decision later as I subbed him off for Hugill, Hugill gives away a silly freekick and Morton hits the freekick in after 90 minutes!  Frusrtration!

Another easy game against Watford.  They didn't have a shot on target.  Hugill put us ahead after 27 minutes and Rathcome came off the bench to be set up by another sub in Bramall to make sure all 3 points belonged to Rotherham after 85 minutes.

A quickfire double put us two ahead against QPR.  Hugill scoring in the 13th and 18th minute.  Duke-McKenna scored a good effort to pull one back for QPR after 19 minutes.  Bramall made sure the game was sealed after making in 3 in the 90th minute.

Looks like we're play-off bound.







FA Cup



Look at the xG difference, we FM'd them .  A mistake at the back, Daferner pressed and got his first Rotherham goal by hitting into an empty net, it was brilliant to watch .

We either have West Ham, Bournemouth, Villa, Palace, Leeds or Man Utd in the next round.

Next Month



Should be atleast 6 points, I'd say 9 but I don't know where they're going to move the Huddersfield game too. 

Need to make sure we actually beat Sheff Weds in the league!  Just got a few tired legs out there after ET vs Forest.

[SpillBlood]

March



Incredible month!!!  Especially since Clucas has been injured for the month and his replacement Ferguson is injured for 5 months.  It's been a bad month for injuries.

We weren't at our best against Sheffield Wednesday with some tired players but Emil Krafth was the difference.  A low drive from outside the box on 57 minutes gave us the win.

We had the better xG against Coventry but in reality we cancelled each other out.  A draw it was.

A fantastic result against Norwich, away, down to 10 men after 12 minutes after Cameron Humphreys was sent off but they didn't create any good chances.  I went more attacking later on, changing my Mezzala pair from support to attack, Linsday found Georgie Kelly in the 75th minute to take home 3 points.

We weren't even at our best against Preston but they offered nothing.  We finally got our first goal after Kelly headed in Krafths cross and Krafth himself doubled after 70 minutes after he hit in Bramalls cross.

Another player of the week

There's a small chance we can sneak a promotion spot, which we do not want.





FA Cup



Aston Villa were awful at the back!  I didn't expect a win at all but they were poor.  We made it to the semi final of the FA Cup!

Tough game but the easiest draw since the other two were the Manchester clubs .

Senior Affliate

Talking of Manchester



Our finances are shocking, I'm looking to sell a few players in the summer and if we can bring in some of the City youngsters with no wages, that'll be a huge help.  We have one currently in Lewis Fiorini who I wouldn't mind keeping, so to have him for free would be great.

Next Month



So many games, we have injuries, suspensions and tired players.  I wouldn't even say we have any hard games left now apart from the FA Cup so this could be a good month.  I can honestly see us finishing 2nd, heck if we do finish 3rd, I might even somehow throw it.  I can't get promoted, I'll just finish rock bottom of the Prem with the players I have, I think two players are honestly capable of playing in the Prem, two.

Just depends on who can stay fit through an 8 game month.  We'll see.

Merry Xmas everyone!
 

[SpillBlood]

April



Brilliant month with a bad ending but it's probably for the best.

We were 1 - 0 down to Millwall, they'd only had one shot on target and did all game, I went down and made changes or it looked like we'd lost.  Sam Nombe came on and got himself a hat-trick, two of them in stoppage time.  Huge win.



A cracking goal from Rathbone was the different at Plymouth.  It came in the 75th minute and ended though we had chances, we couldn't put them away.

West Brom were awful, no wonder they're struggling.  Nombe, Adams and Rathbone all on the scoresheet in an easy game.

Swansea weren't much better.  Nombe got himself a brace and Adams headed home as went 3 - 0 in at half time.  Kelly scored late on to make it 4.

Viktor was out for the Huddersfield game and Phillips started.  Daferner opened up the scoring after 10 minutes, Kelly doubled after 27.  Thomas pulled one back for Huddersfield from the penalty spot.  Fiorini after assisting two got himself on the scoresheet in the 61st minute.  Wharton got his first Rotherham goal after 68 and Fiorini assisted another goal as Hugill scored our 5th in the 89th minute.  Firoini is class.



In a way, I may have sabotaged our game against Birmingham to make sure we didn't get play offs but regardless we still should of won, Nombe missed a sitter late on that should have scured all 3 puts.  Daferner put us ahead after 14 but Stansfield equalised after 31.  An ex Rotherham loanee Tariqe Fosu put Birmingham ahead after 70 minutes but Lembikisi equalised after 81.

We were terrible against Bristol City, I mean, I did rotate but we were poor, Bristol have beaten both us and Norwich in recent games.  Benarous scored after 42 minutes and Sam Bell doubled after 56.  I made alot of changes and Krafth pulled one back after 84 minutes but that's our first loss in 16 league games.



Thanks to the FA Cup run we did beat our unbeaten record though.



We play Cardiff in the last game of the season.  In an ideal world, we beat them, Leciester take 6th and we have to play them in the play offs.

Player and Young player of the month .






I'm hoping we can keep Fiorini next season.



.

FA Cup



Super sub Georgie Kelly.  Another 10 men story!  Leeds couldn't hit a barn door!!!



Haaland to get 10?

Youth intake



Nothing to see here .  None of them will make the cut.

Next Month



Play offs and an FA Cup Final.  MASSIVE season.  I really hope we don't win the play offs though, City can gift me the cup .

[SpillBlood]

Last Day of the Season









Stoke will be a very tough game for us, which all in all is not a bad thing.  If we did win the play offs, it'd be because we're beaten the teams that could play in the Prem.

At the other end of the table.



I wonder how much I can get Rudoni for .
 

Edited December 25, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

First Leg



That was so so so close, both teams should have scored more.  Hugills finishing was the difference.   Moraes did score in the 88th minute for Stoke but he was JUST offside.

Adams and Viktor were solid at the back.  Look how good Viktor has developed .



Adams was actually a signing in early Feb.  He's been solid as for us.  13 apps, 3 goals, 1 assist, 7.18 rated.  Has experience for Hoffenheim and Basel.

Right, a proper Merry Xmas to anyone who has read, sadly I can't get the second time game played today as I need to go visit family .

Edited February 8 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Second Leg



We were the better side with some class finishing, on top the final against Leicester it is!  A team we haven't beaten and have done alot better under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.  It will be a tough tough game.

FA Cup



I didn't expect anything else . We had no Fiorini as he can't play against parent club and Bramall was suspened.  We didn't get a shot on target, just Tiehi smashing a long range shot against the crossbar.  We did brilliant to reach the final.



It's the play-off final time!

[SpillBlood]

Play-Off Final.

So... did we do it?



Sadly, we didn't.  Adams went off injured and we struggled after that.  Brilliant season though!

On a positive.



Viktor is going to the Euros .

Edited December 26, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

End of Season



Well we started with our Chairman retiring, I guess he'll be passing it on to his son.

Nevermind, we've had an update and we could have a takeover.





Quite shocked at this one, especially in the second half of the season he was cover at LWB.



Two awards for Lembikisa .



One of his two brilliant thumps.



Absolute class, hoping I can keep him this summer but I may need to look to cash in as his value is about 15mil!!!





Be able to get a couple of good players in with that I reckon.  There is a CM on a free my scouts are raving about, he does have some weaknesses but he has a good left foot and we need to replace Clucas.

[SpillBlood]

End of Season #2





Of course Emil is signing of the season, he's class .



Only a C+ when I was supposed to try and avoid relegation .




 

Thankfully we have some money back in the club.



Pretty much, just Fiorini in for Clucas after January.



I can't believe Dexter is winning so much.  He is a handy player being able to play RWB and LWB for me.



Time to try and make this squad my own, get rid of deadwood, get in some good loans from City and improve the team!

Edited December 26, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Is this a boxing day joke!?

[SpillBlood]

Sadly, he pulled out but we have a new Chairman that isn't exactly uh.. exciting.

Edited December 26, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Season 2 - 2024/2025



Pre-season went well even though I didn't actually play any, I was too deep into finding actual players for the team.

The squad so far:



If you know anything about the 2023 Rotherham squad, you'll see most of them aren't there.  I didn't want to lose the likes of Blackett, Odoffin or sell Hugill and Tiehi but they priced me out on contracts.  A couple wanting 15k+ a week, others 20k+ a week, it wasn't happening.  I got some good money for both Odoffin and Hugill and I've broke the transfer record on a single transfer.  I still need some depth but let's get into who is who.





Loaning in from parent club City just hasn't been possible.  They either wouldn't loan me the player or the player wouldn't come.  The players that would aren't championship level so I've had to look abroad to get in depth.  We do have a a 22 year old DM coming in to play backup to Stjepanovic.

155k for my Clucas replacement, he does have some issues but my scouts wouldn't stop telling me about him.



A better backup than Phillips.



Davis is a risk, he has injury problems but if I get him going, I think he'll be a real assest to the team and a replacement for Hugill.



Blacketts replacement.



Lindsays replacement.

For 850k I think van Hooijdonk is a steal, I'm looking forward to him and Davis uptop.



Cheap squad player

I'm paying a bit of wages but Iroegbunam should be a good rotation option.



I'm actually planning on starting Koumetio and training him up, he was cheap, I love his jumping reach and he's only 21!



Cheap cover for Krafth.

Cheap LWB loan option to push Bramall.

The 4th Swede in my team and another Striker to put pressure on starting two.



I honestly think 1.5mil is a steal.  Play him, improve him, sell him for 15+mil.  For 20 he looks absolutely brilliant for me.

We're about to kick off the league but our transfers aren't over.  Nombe is moaning he wants 20k a week so I'm trying to sell, we need more depth.  It's been a harder window than I imagined but I do feel the team is stronger overall.

Staff



We've had some staff poached so I've brought in some new faces, trying to improve the team the best I can, we're looking very good in the coaching department.

Fixtures



Alot of games without my full squad .  Let's see if they gel and we can get a good few wins under our belt.

Edited December 26, 2023 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

August

Good start to the season!

We were cruising against Coventry, 3 - 0 and looking good, van Hooijdonk had got himself a brace on his debut with Rathbone scoring out 3rd.  Sakamoto pulled one back in the 59th minute and then Ben Sheaf pulled another back in the 91st!  Nerves came in but Tim Iroegbunam scored a great goal to make it 4.

Portsmouth didn't stand a chance.  Rathbone scoring in the 63rd minute and van Hooijdonk in the 67th for all three points.

We didn't play our best against Wigan.  Adams headed in two Bramall corners to give us the win.  Defensively solid, attackingly struggled.

We were the better side against Luton so it was a shame to draw.  Brown gave them the lead after just 3 minutes but van Hooijdonk equalised after 15.  Gaspar put Luton back after 27 but Rathbone equalised in the 35rd.  We kept going at them but we couldn't get the ball in the net again.

A great strike from Rathbone after Karacic stole the ball and set him up was the differnce against Preston.

Johansson was injured for the Palace game, he may have been the difference.  Adams gave the ball away needlessly against Crystal Palace, they countered and Eze put them ahead in the 41st minute.  van Hooijdonk equalised in the 43rd minute but a mistake from Scales at the back saw Palace take all 3 points after Sobolev hit in after 65 minutes.

Look at Bolton go!





Carabao Cup



Their manager came out after and went "Rotherham aren't as good as they think they are".  You had 1 shot off target all game .



A mad 3 minutes!



Tough game next.

End of Transfer Window




Why on earth would I loan out my best CB .







I mean, the name of this thread is rebuild, so 17 players seems alright .



We've creeped up the wage table.

Players I brought in on deadline day.



Mr. Versatile and it'll help us.



Not been impressed with some of the new CBs at LCB and Burke is a better player with Premiership experience.



He is injury prone but he's here as a squad player with pace to burn.  Nombe won't be playing much, he's out of favour after moaning over and over why he thinks he should be paid 20k a week...



We're got a good squad and I can't see why we can't push playoffs again.

Next Month



I'd like to think we can get 6 points here!

[SpillBlood]

September



Iirc, out first green month!

Tough game against Stoke.  Mehdi Leris gave them the lead after 10 minutes, Keinan Davis pulled one back and Leris was there to give Stoke advantage again after 37 minutes.  van Hooijdonk equalised in stoppage time of the first half for both sides to gin equal.  The winner came through van Hooijdonk scoring a 51st minute pen, phew.

'Boro didn't register a shot on target and I thought it was going to be 0 - 0.  Kapic put us ahead in the 58th minute and I made some changes which saw goals.  Karacic made is two in the 77th and Sarr finished the scoring off in the 83rd.

What a come back!  Taira scored after 12 minutes and Naismith scored a pen in the 32nd minute which I thought we were down and out.  Sarr scored an absolutely beautfil strike just before half time to pull one back.  Crooks scored a cracker to equalise in the 51st minute and substitute Krafth scored the winner after 60 minutes.

Absolutely class against West Brom.  They didn't have a shot, not on taget, a shot!  Davis put us ahead after 12 minutes and it looked like a routine 1 - 0 but our subs had a huge impact.  Crooks scored another cracker in the 85th minute and great pressing from Sarr forced a mistake in the WBA backline giving Obafemi a clear cut chance which he hit in the bottom corner for his first Rotherham goal after 94 minutes.



Zanden is giving me a selection headache, so is Karacic tbf.  Both are playing class.

Deservedly top of the league.





I have one LWB top of assists and another LWB in avg rating .




(Not sure why last months Palace loss is on there).  My first Manager of the Month award .

Do feel like Crooks was robbed for a goal of the month.  He didn't even get top 3 and 1 of his goals was amazing, better than Tiehis goal of the season!

New Contract



Keep the good times rollin'

Carabao Cup



That was such a tough game, feel like we won because we were at home. 



Boring


Next Month



Surely we can get 9 points from these 4 games.  Tbf none of the teams are doing well, Blackburn are 23rd and Watford are 24th.

[SpillBlood]

October

What a month, we capitalized on clubs poor forms.

Davis gave us the lead against Blackburn after 19 minutes.  Adams headed in after 33 to make it 2 and Koumetio headed in after 81 to make it 3.  Easy win.

Cardiff were given a soft penalty after 28 minutes but Johansson denied Emerson.  We went in level at the break and it was all down to quality finishing, it was an even game but Burke headed in our first after 57 minutes.  Bramall headed in a low cross after 60 minutes and Krafth headed a ball into the box with Sarr nodded past the goalkeeper after 76 minutes, 3 headed goals by different players.  Why I like my physical players .

van Hooijdonk got us off to an early lead against Swansea after just 5 minutes and Kapic doubled after 28 after a brilliant through ball from Sarr.  19 year old Ben Lloyd pulled one back for Swansea after 44 minutes with a great shot from the edge of the box.  Koumetio headed in after 90+5 to seal all 3 points.

We absolutely battered Watford, 3.64 xG vs 0.16.  37 shots, 16 on target vs 2 shots and 1 on target.  Bachmann was unreal in net for Watford.  Bramall gave us the lead after 17 minutes with a quality finish from the edge of the box.  Crooks doubled after 83 minutes after a great surge into the box and a great finish.  During the game Davis and Obafemi missed an absolute sitter each.  When Tom Ince popped up in the 93rd minute scoring a Shearer-esque volley I thought it was going to end up in a draw but we held on, we have to finish better when we have THAT many chances!



We're top but Southampton are chasing!








My 2nd manager of the month award and it's in a row .

Carabao Cup



WHAT A WIN.

City did not turn up at all, even with their "backup" players, every one of them walks into my team, I thought we'd won it in 90 minutes and I broke my unwritten rule, I always tell my sub if you're winning, even if a CB isn't playing well, don't sub them, it always ends up in a goal if you sub them.  I brought on Welsh and Scales, Welsh passes Alvarez the ball, barely under pressure, people to pass too and it makes a mistake like that.  I was gutted.  Thankfully we held on, took it to pens and we won.



Hopefully a home draw helps us out.

Facilities

 

Slowly upgrading the club facilities.

Next Month



Everton will be tough but hopefully we can get 10+ points here.

[SpillBlood]

November



Brilliant month but not all green!

We got off to a great start against Everton, Crooks struck it, it's hit Patterson and gone in for an own goal after 5 minutes.  We doubled out lead after 66 minutes from the penalty spot, van Hooijdonk converted.  Koumetio headed in Bramalls corner in the 77th minute for all 3 points.

van Hooijdonk struck a goal of the month freekick, finally scored one with his 16 freekicks!  To give us the lead after 11 minutes against Plymouth but they matched us all game.  Burke conceded a penalty which Hardie converted after 51 minutes and a draw it was.

Bonny gave Sunderland the lead after 29 minutes and they were the better side.  Sarr was played in and O'Nien has tackled him.. with the ball going into his own net.  An own goal to equlise.  Davis found himself in good space to hit in a loose ball just before half time to give us the lead.  Sunderland came out better in the second half and we struggled.  Ekwah hit in a good strike to equlise after 53 minutes and a cross from Hume found Jack Clarke for Sunderland to take the lead after 60.  Bramall found Davis for his brace to equalise in the 72nd minute and even more bad luck for Sunderland.  A low cross to Davis which he probably would have converted if O'Nien wasn't there but he was, and it was another own goal that gave us the win!  Mad game!

A Sarr brace, both assisted by Crooks who converted himself in the 93rd minute for an easy win against Bristol City.



Another easy game against Hull.  Iroegbunam hit a great strike to give us the lead after 28 minutes and Crooks thread a great ball through to Azeez who slotted in for his first senior goal after 53 minutes!

7 points clear!





G'wan Sydney.






3rd in a row

Next Month



Hectic month, Bolton are playing well and we have them twice.  Southampton are just behind us.  A huge month in the title race imo!

[warlock]

Going really well - don't think you'll be able to duck the promotion this season!

[SpillBlood]

9 hours ago, warlock said:

Going really well - don't think you'll be able to duck the promotion this season!

We've got strength in depth this season with some players showing they'd be able to cut it in the Prem.  Really chuffed with how it's going. 

For some reason Swedish players and Rotherham United go hand in hand together .

[SpillBlood]

December



Brilliant month.

Bolton were not a bad side at all we were just clinical.  Kapic got us off to a good start after 25 minutes and Sarr doubled just before the break.  van Hooijdonk scored our 3rd after 53 minutes but Bolton had a chance, from the spot.  Viktor saved another penalty after another Burke foul .  Iroegbunam finishing the scoring after 76 minutes and that was that.

Frustration.  We shouldn't have lost against Southampton.  Davies and Crooks both missed big chances but that's the difference between champions.  With their only chance, Sulemana found Ballard with a low cross to put past Viktor and a big 3 points for Soton.

We battered QPR, they didn't have a shot.  Obafemi scored after 13 minutes and that was that.

Obafemi kept his streak against Birmingham.  Putting us ahead after 14 minutes and doubling just before the break.  Davis scored out 3rd after 51 minutes and it was another game with not many chances, but we took them.



Bolton were much better at home.  Welsh scored his first Rotherham goal, driving into the box and hitting in after 3 minutes and was impressive to see for a CB .  It was a very tough and even game through out.  Late on Sarr with a very wonky pass saw Bolton break and Dempsey played through Edwards to equalise.  Even game, even points.

We battered Ipswich, it should have been more than 3.  Davis scored after just 7 minutes, we scored twice but were sadly offside.  Needing another goal Koumetio back from injury headed in after 72 minutes.  Ipswich did pull one back in the 89th minute and it was a nervy end.  Welsh was fouled in the box, penalty given.  Davis stepped up and Hladky saved.  Thankfully just a minute after Davis did score with a great goal.

We're very much a home team.



Still top by 6!  Really happy considering the run.  Alot of tired players and a few injuries.





Carabao Cup



We took our chances, Arsenal were poor, they didn't really... do anything to show they were a Prem team pushing for Champions League.  Being at home helped alot.



We know we can beat Villa!

Youth intake



Not really happening .

Next Month




We do have some interest in some of our players, I'd rather not sell but if big bids come in, I can't say no.  Nombe has gone, after his wage demands, I listed him and I think he played once.  He's moved to Swansea for 2.9mil.  2 upfront, 1mil over 1 year.

I think it's a month we can do well, we'll just need to rotate to keep players fit as that's alot of games again.


 

[SpillBlood]

January



Not our best month.

We had so many chances against West Brom but we were so poor.  WBA xG of 1.40 which includes a penalty, ours is 2.51.  Dike headed in after just 7 minutes, Davis equalised finally after 85 minutes.  Ball comes in, Matazo is judged to of gone to heavy on the attacker and WBA have a 93rd minute pen that Maja hits past Viktor.  Not good enough.

It didn't get better against Cardiff, we had to rotate but we found ourselves 2 - 0 down after 13 minutes and it looked like we were going to lose when it hit half time.  I gave them a good shouting at and Sarr and Bramall pulled it back to 2 - 2 in the second half.  Even game in the end, have to do better at home.

Another bad game.  Davis put us up after 11 minutes but Pickering equalised from a wild shot from the edge of the box which Viktor could have done better.  Hyam headed in to make it 2 - 1 to Blackburn after 29 minutes, we were the better side but poor at the back.  Davis equalised in the 52nd minute for a draw.

I rotated my midfield/wingbacks against Swansea and we just, battered them.  A hat-trick for Davis and a hat-trick for van Hooijdonk.  We were 3 up when Swansea pulled one back through Kuhharevych but it didn't matter.  Much much much better football.



Pretty sure this is my first 10 rating in FM24.

Still 4 points ahead somehow after a poor month.  Great in cups mind, you'll see that below.





FA Cup



Brown scored a brilliant overhead kick.  We weren't class but we were clinical.



Deserved win.



Tough draw but we've beat them once this season and we're at home.

Carabao Cup



Villa were poor, their only chance was from the spot.



I have no idea what Villa were doing, their tactics made no sense.  Easy game.

Into the Carabao Cup final!

We're against Spurs, it'll be a tough ask.

Deadline Day

After Nombe left, nothing else has changed.  No one has left, no one was brought in, this is the squad that will win us trophys or bottle it.

Al-Duhail were looking at Viktor for a long time, they went for Pickford instead.  Everton then had interest in Viktor but didn't bid, thankfully.  Humphreys has had interest from Belgium but I don't think they could afford him.  That was about as much interest as I had.  I would have potentially tried to cash in on Krafth due to his insane value but he's currently injured.  My 1.5mil valued RB plays aswell as my 12mil valued RB.





Everton spending that much on wages and are 22 points behind us.





Then again Bolton are also above them and are spending over a mil less a week .

Next Month



So many games still, we need a break .  We'll just keep going and see what happens.  This is a HUGE month for us, there's a few teams we need 3 points against due to their poor form.

[SpillBlood]

February



Brilliant start, poor end against Everton.

There's a reason Watford are bottom, they're so poor.  Adams somehow denied a goal for us being offside after a header from a corner but made up for it after hitting one in from outside the box.  van Hooijdonk got himself a brace before half time and Davis made it 4 after 77 minutes.

'Boro never really threatened but it was 0 - 0 at the break.  Davis, Sarr and Azeez got us second half goals for an easy victory.

Stjepnaovic gave away a penalty which Riis hit in to give Preston the lead.  Welsh scored a nice goal a minute after to equalise.  Azeez gave us the lead in the 54th minute and Crooks finished off the scoring in the 93rd.

Palace went down to 10 men after 45 minutes, we went down to 10 through injury but we battered them, Stjepanovic scoring a volley after 69 minuts, Zanden wish a nice finish after 77 and Kapic scoring after 83.  Mateta did pull one back after a counter in the 84th minute but the points were ours.

We took the lead early against Stoke with Davis scoring after 5 minutes.  Stoke eqauslied from the penalty spot after Burke gave away another penalty after 65 minutes but Davis popped up again to give us the win after 89 minutes.

We were the better side against Everton, so many chances, Crooks hit the post but they got one chance.  Barnes found Gueye on the edge of the box, he passed to Ramadani who hit in after 53 minutes, game over.

We're flying high at the top still!





Carabao Cup



I didn't expect anything else, we got battered for 90 minutes.



FA Cup



Frustrating as Rathbone should have equalised but hit the bar.



That's our cup runs down, time to win the league!

Next Month



Alot of winnable games and time for players to rest.

[SpillBlood]

March



Nearly perfect!

We got back to winning ways against Plymouth.  At home, in control and Kapic running the show.  We were brilliant from start to finish.  Davis got a brace, van Hooijdonk score our 3rd, Welsh our 4th and Kapic our 5th.



The different in a tight Sunderland game was van Hooijdonk who hit in a freekick just before the break.  Both teams cancelled each other out, a moment of magic was the difference.

We were the better side against Bristol City, we created more but they got the first goal, we hit the woodwork twice and they scored in the 83rd minute.  Adams headed in after 88 but it wasn't enough.  We can't be losing games like that.

Needed to rotate against Portsmouth and it worked.  Sarr getting a hat-trick and Welsh getting on the scoresheet.  Bishop pulled one back in the 55th minute but we were in control.

Great spirit against Coventry.  Coventry hit the bar and Eccles hit in the rebound, he does like scoring against us.  Kapic equalised just 3 minutes later in the 17th minute.  Somehow after 78 minute we equalised and I say somehow because I have no idea how van Hooijdonk is being played onside in that position but he is, it's so bad by Coventry and he's 1 on 1 to slot home to give us the win.

We're flying at the top and have chance to beat Readings point total iirc.





Next Month



Some tough games and I'd very much like to get revenge on Southampton .

[SpillBlood]

April





Our 30 unbeaten home run came to an end against Luton.  We took the lead in less than a minute, Kapics shot deflected off Lockyer into the back of the net.  Iroegbunam had been on the pitch for about a minute until he gave a penalty away which Jed Wallace equalised with ater 71 minutes and then two ex-Millers, Ogbene played a low ball for Carlton Morris to hit in after 91 minutes.

Wigan, who were pretty much relegated at this point were clinical infront of goal so we went home pointless.  On loan Edwards gave them the lead but Davis equalised and we went into the break even.  Callum Lang got a second half brace and we had so many chances but we couldn't put them away, Crooks pulled one back in the 89th minute but it was too late.

Much better against Southampton, the win that gave us the title.  van Hooijdonk gave us the lead after 28 minutes, Manning conceded a penalty but van Hooijdonk looked too cocky and Bazunu saved.  Manning was sent off early in the second half for two yellows and it wasn't until I made some subs until we saw some quality football.  Kapic, Koumetio and Obafemi all getting on the scoresheet, a very rich and deserved win.

QPR are 22nd and you can see why, we battered them.  Kapic scoring after just 2 minutes, Sarr after 5.  Second half goals came from Humphreys, Sarr got his brace and sub van Hooijdonk came on to help him attempt to win golden boot.

Same against Hull, totally outplayed them.  Sarr got us off to a good start after 7 minutes and van Hooijdonk had got himself a brace before half time.

That leaves us one game and we can potentially break the point record.

We did set one record already.







We have two strikes that could win golden boot.  Two players who could win player of the year.



Initial Budget + Player Revolt.



Strange thing to put as we're champions but I've had Crooks, Humphreys and Karacic all demanding new contracts with insane wage demands.  Humphreys isn't that bad but I wasn't planning on keeping him.  I prefer Adams and Welsh over him and I'd still prefer to find a better LCB.

I can see a big summer happening.

Youth intake



Looked like I had one promising player but he's unambitious and really doesn't look like he'll ever make it.

Final Day



They need to win to potentially make play offs, we need to win to get the record points.

[warlock]

Congratulations  It looked inevitable for a while, but to do it while breaking records is a great achievement.

The wages thing... it's happened every time I've won promotion. Probably realistic but some of the wage demands? 

[SpillBlood]

50 minutes ago, warlock said:

Congratulations  It looked inevitable for a while, but to do it while breaking records is a great achievement.

The wages thing... it's happened every time I've won promotion. Probably realistic but some of the wage demands? 

The thing that's baffled me is Viktor and Adams both came to me and wanted new contracts, both starting players and there fees were what I'd expect. 

Viktor is the best player at the club and he's on the highest wage, Adams is on a sensible wage for a player of his calibre, I mean, 13k a week in all honesty for my main CB seems like a steal.

Now I'm promoted, my squad rotation RB, not even Krafth, wants 30k a week.  Crooks wants 35 - 40k a week and then is upset I went no and listed him.  Humphreys who isn't consistent and got dropped wants 28k a week.

I understand we have more money but the wages, player worth and demand is crazy.  I can see a big summer because some players want more wages then they're worth and I can bring in better for cheaper.  Some I would have kept if it wasnt' for these insane wage demands.

[SpillBlood]

End of Season



We did it, it was difficult but we set record points.

And record goals.



Chairman injects money








He wants us to upgrade and he's put his own money in, pretty happy with that!

End of Season





van Hooijdonk has to be signing of the season in the Championship, has to be.







Shocked Azeez has sold more shirts than Rathbone, Adams etc.  Am I reading this right, 138 shirts sold? What? .



Nearly but Kapic is always CLM and Krath is RB.  Davis and van Hooijdonk are also on the wrong side of each other.







Big big big summer ahead!

[SpillBlood]

End of Season Awards/Records














Shocked at Crooks.

Do I?



He'd be played at DM and maybe cover at CM, he'd cost 4.9mil, I love his work rate and determination.  He lacks jumping reach for me but I don't know, I see him and feel there's a proper player to be had here.  Only 20, will probably start over Stejpanovic, he's won FW Young Player of the Year and Scottish Player's Young Player of the Year.

Signings of the Season



4 out of 5 and look at my fees compared to Nuamah .

Edited January 2 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Season 3 - 2025/2026



A pre-season I left to my staff whilst I tried to find players.

The squad so far.

Goalkeepers are the same, we have a new RB to compete with Kraft, a new LB to compete with Bramall, a new LCB.  A new midfield, a fringe striker and a striker to push to start. 

We have some unhappy players in Crooks, Humphreys and Burke due to contracts but sadly there isn't interest in them but they make good cover.



I'm not clued up on German football and I'm not sure who Heidenheim are but Tim Siersleben are raved about by my scouts and I ended up checking their squad and cheers for the CB, LB and ST .  If their RB was better in the air I may have taken him aswell .  We did miss out on a couple of targets, my original CB target chose Burnley over us.

Azeez going for 8mil is crazy, he did alright but Las Palmas must have really wanted him because I didn't think he was worth that at all.



Karacic wanted a silly amount of money in a new contract and had declined as a footballer at 28/29.  I wanted him out.

So who is who?

Sander Berge for 2.4mil from relegated Burnley is a steal to me.  Will be starting in CM next to Irving, feel he'll play well with Holm/Krath down the right, really happy with this one.



Left sided CB who will start!  3mil is cheap for a player of his quality.



Solid LB who should be head and shoulders above Bramall.  Will help Siersleben settle in.



Mendes has a good scoring record with Ascoli, he comes as a backup striker and I'm sure I signed him in FM22 for my Rotherham team.  My scouts also suggest Maximiliano Salas who I know I signed in FM22, I'm sure it was these two who helped keep me up but Salas wanted silly wages.



Okay Irving isn't a Mezzala but I think he's pretty good and will be starting at CM.





New starting RB.

Strong Pressing Forward/Target Man.  Think Tietz will be handful.



And from the end of last season for 4.9mil.



My favourite of the bunch .  Hopefully he'll go down as a Rotherham legend in my save.

And hopefully my new Scottish players who join Welsh in getting a national cap.


 

The spending should be over.  Depends if some of the backups leave.



I'm still trying to improve the back room, I have two scouts coming in and I can't find a set piece coach at all.



Season Start



I honestly think we can get 6 points here, I can't see why we can't get two home wins!

[SpillBlood]

August



Incredible month, be more clinical my opposition .

A huge deflection saw Southampton take the lead after 35 minutes.  Holm just 6 minutes later equalised and we went into the break even.  van Hooijdonk did what he does best and got himself a second half brace.  Matteo Pessina was played through and pulled one back for Soton but we managed to hold on for a debut win the Prem.

What a win against Leeds!  End to end football!  xG was 2.93 to Leeds, 3.07 to Rotherham.  Gnonto put Leeds ahead after a low cross from Sinisterra found him free.  Titez headed in to equalise after 28 minutes.  We went ahead after pressure from van Hoojidonk caused Max Wober to score an own goal after 58 minutes.  Leeds equalised just 4 minutes later through Kristensen, a deflected ball found him free in the box to slow home.  I made some subs, 95th minute, 95th!  Kapic sent a free kick up, found Bramall in space who crossed low for Welsh for all people to be free to hit in!  I do believe Mendes would have hit in if Welsh wasn't there but what a goal, what a win!

Tietz put us ahead after just 5 minutes against Villa but good work from a corner saw Douglas Luiz slot low past Johansson for Villa to equalise after 16 minutes.  Berge hit in his first Rotherham goal after 76 minutes to give us the lead and sub Davis who's slowly coming back from injury hit in after 83 minutes to give us the win!

What an amazing month!





Somehow I beat ten Hag to manager of the month .




Cheers from the guy I just hired?

Carabao Cup



Played my second team, we were awful infront of goal, I put Crooks upfront and we missed so many chances.  We thankfully won after pens but we should have won in normal time.



An away draw, not great.

Deadline Day



It saw Koumetio leave us for 5.25mil and McKenna come in for 1.9mil.

I know he's not a ball player but Adams isn't having the best time in the Prem and I think McKenna is an improvement over Adams and Koumetio.



We're just trying to compete









We're an absolute tiny fish in a huge pond, if we manage to stay up, it's massive.

Next Month



Chance of points, it'll be tough.

[SpillBlood]

September



Good month!

Leicester battered us.  Adams started due to injuries and it didn't go too well.  He gave away a penalty which Johansson saved but then scored an OG from a delection.  Daka doubled just after the break, we looked second best all game.

Forest potentially better, they had alot more of the ball but we cancelled each other out and a draw was fair.

We grinded out a probably undeserved win against Brentford.  McKenna gave away a penalty after 4 minutes with Calvert-Lewis hit in.  We fought back in the 2nd half, Berge hit in for his first Rotherham goal after 59 minutes and Mendes on a sub headed in after 73 minutes to give us a win.

We're 2nd in the league but it's so fake .





Carabao Cup



We tried, West Ham were just too good for us.

Next Month



Try and get something at home to Bournemouth but this could be a pointless month.

[warlock]

14 minutes ago, SpillBlood said:

this could be a pointless month

Nah - Bournemouth and Brighton there for the taking. Champions League incoming at Rotherham 

[SpillBlood]

October



What a month!

Bournemouth didn't have a sniff, 0.04xG.  Kapic took a shot and Tietz was in the right place to make sure it went in after 28 minutes and that was all that was needed for 3 points.

Brightons wide players were the difference against us.  They were better than us but we struggled.  Mitoma gave them the lead after 14 minutes but van Hooijdonk equalised after 38.  Buonanotte gave Brighton the lead again after 56 minutes after a good corner routine and cutting past Berge to slot in.  I've noticed since we've been promoted teams are using much better corner routines.

I tried a different tactic and it worked, we equalised Manchester United.  Scalvini gave United the lead after heading in Fernandes' corner.  van Hooijdonk equalised after stealing the ball from Varane and hitting in after 47 minutes.  Davis doubled after a good counter and ball from Berge after 54 minutes.  Hojlund was found by Rashford after 70 minutes to equalise and we matched United.  Such a good showing.

Another quality game vs City.  Davis went off early injured and Mendes replaced, he was us a won early on and van Hooijdonk gave us the lead after 19 minutes.  We held on for ages but De Bryune scored in the 75th and just onside, Akanji scored in the 77th.  I went back to my normal tactic and attacked.  Kapics corner found Mendes to head in after 90 minutes for a draw. 

11 points above relegation. All I care about.

Oh and the friendly was played as I only had 5 on international duty and I wanted some of the lads to get 90 minutes in





I love how Tietz is 3 POTM considering how many times he's been out injured already.

Next Month



We need a win against Fulham and anything else is a bonus.

[SpillBlood]

November



Crackin' month.

Did exactly what we needed too against Fulham and probably should of had more goals.  23 shots, 10 on target, 2.20xG vs 6 shots, 0 on target, 0.26xG.  Berge found van Hooijdonk in the 53rd minute to put us ahead and that was that.

I went with my new away tactic and we managed to hold Arsenal until the second half when Watson gave away a penalty after a corner was swung in.  Saka put it after away 81 minutes so I had to try something.  On a counter, Tietz found that man Mendes who loves a big goal and equalised in the 81st minute, we held on for a big draw.

I rotated a little bit and yeah, Everton absolutely battered us with their LB of all players, 100k a week Vitaliy Mykolenko getting a first half brace and Talisca geting a 3rd before the break.   I made some changes and we tried, van Hooijdonk pulled one back after 83 minutes but we scored 3 times!  Just a shame 2 were just offside, bloody VAR!

Newcastle were poor for such a quality side, Berge found van Hooijdonk with a quality ball who put us ahead after 40 minutes.  Botman had a huge chance to equalise after Viktor came out for a corner and was caught out but he headed over for us to take home all 3 points.

We're 4th but after next month I could see us in the bottom half.





It does help we have a striker who's scored as many as Haaland and Gakpo.  van Hooijdonk has 8 in 14.

Next Month



Any point here is a bonus.  A very hard month.

[SpillBlood]

December



Unbeaten month!  Brilliant!  So many late goals to cost US the win aswell!!!

Raheem Sterling absolutely tore us a new one, all I can say.  He scored in the 9th minute and the 12th before Forhenbach pulled one back in the 31st minute.  Sterling popped up again in the 39th minute for his hat-trick and went into half time lookign defeated.  A few changes and some belief and we were a different team second half.  Tietz came on to score a brace to give us an unlikely draw!

SO CLOSE to w ain against Spurs.  Skipp gave them the lead after 5 minutes from a shot from outside the box.  Berge equalised in the 41st minute and we went into half time even.  Berge was the creator this time and set up van Hooijdonk(feel I've wrote those two combining a few times already) to give us the lead.  I had to try make some subs to hold on but Emerson Royal had been a thorn on our side all game, his through ball found Bentancur who hit in after 90 minutes to draw.  So close.

AGAIN, SO CLOSE.  Liverpool have played so many games and they rotated, we were the better side and that man Tietz gave us the lead after 69 minutes.  Tietz had the biggest chance when Mendes crossed in, his header met the bar in the 92nd minute.  We were playing well and looking like we were going to win until Thiago hit a 25 yarder into the top corner in the 94th minute! 94th!!! We have to finish our chances, 3 clear cut chances!

Same with Wolves, probably the better side, finishing was pretty awful and we finally took the lead after Kapics shot defelcted in off Kilman after 70 minutes.  I thought it was our game but Neto crossed in and Silva headed after 86 minutes for another draw.

Still, I expected 0 points this month and we got 7.

Very proud of our league position.





Cup Draw

Away but it'll give me chance to rotate as we have so many games.

Youth intake



A homegrown Mezzala would be amazing, let's hope we do get a good player .

Next Month



A month I do hope we get a few points, I know we have some away games but they're still games we can pick up points.

Not sure we'll do much in the transfer window, we'd need to ship players out first.

[SpillBlood]

Scouting in January

Looking for wonderkids, the next big thing but so many of them have work rate/teamwork issues or you can tell they won't hit their potential.

I really like this player, strong right foot aswell, I'd love to train him up up at CM playing Mezzala but 9 determination .  I can't bring myself to do it.  I feel there's a player there but I don't exactly have a Milner like player to mentor him.  Berge and Watson are probably the best.


 

[SpillBlood]

January



Frustating, lack of quality cost us points.

We were amazing against Leeds.  I thought we were looking at a loss when Gnonto put Leeds ahead but he was offside.  Tietz after 18 minutes put us ahead, Berge doubled after 23 and Tietz scored our 3rd after 40.  The second half belonged to van Hooijdonk as he scored a hat-trick.  Brilliant.



We were awful again Southampton, went in at half time 1 - 0 down, having 2 shots, 1 on target and I threw the water bottle.  I went straight out full attack, my wing backs might aswell have been AMR/AML but it worked.  van Hooijdonk equalised after 46 minutes and Kapic scored the winner after 71 minutes.

Not good enough, we didn't create enough but we were slightly better than Villa but their only shot on goal, a headed effort from a corner saw Diego Carlos head past Viktor to give Villa the lead after 90 minutes.

We went ahead from the penalty spot against Leicester and looked good, we missed too many chances, Berge was 1 on 1 and put is well over.  Leicester found some fighting spirit and pulled it back through Ndidi after 74 minutes.  We just lacked quality and Leicester were there for the taking.

2.67 xG, 3 CCCs and 5 half chances, we had so many chances and our finishing was lackluster against Forest.  They went ahead through a Holm own goal after just 5 minutes but after 7 we were award a penalty which van Hooijdonk put away, he missed some great chances until he put away a quality through ball from Davis after 31 minutes.

We're looking great still but it's helpful when you have the top goalscorer in the league who is attracting attention from other clubs.









FA Cup



Quality.



Not quality.  Drew 2 - 2 to a team that had one shot on target.  Big mistake from McKenna to give Solanke a free shot and then an OG, we had chances.

Club Stuff



Bank loan for what, where, when, who? 'Cause it ain't in the club balance.

But he did offer me youth facility upgrades.



Deadline Day



I loaned out Burke who will be joining Wrexham for a mil at the end of the season.  Alot of clubs wanted Adams but he rejected them all, shame as he won't play and I wanted the money.  McNally is here to cover since he was a free loan.



107mil on a 33 year old Salah, mad.





Next Month

Hoping we can progress in the FA Cup and pick 4/6 points up in the league.