FM18: Rotherham United

[SpillBlood]

Intro

It's a very different season for Rotherham United this year.  We managed to survive in the Championship 2015/2016 season thanks to Neil Warnock but our fortunes didn't last and after managerial changers and lack of funding for players we finished 24th in the 2016/2017 season and have been relegated to league one.  With no new manager on the horizon it looked worrying for Rotherham United but they decided to promote fitness coach Paul Warne to become the full time Rotherham United manager.  Under Warne there has been a different approach to the transfer market.  We've let a lot of the ageing players and over paid players go and brought in younger players with something to prove.  So far this season we're 5th in League One and we're doing well.  Much thanks to striker Keifer Moore who sadly isn't highly rated at all in this version of Football Manager but I don't think we expected him to be.  Will I be playing him? Oh yes.  I think the aim for anyone who decides to take on the challenge of Rotherham United should to be a strong finish to the league.  The media prediciton is 5th.  I think this is currently over expectations considering the amount of players that have come through the revolving door at Rotherham, we need to strengthen the core of the squad even more.  Maybe I can secure some loans to do this, maybe there are some brilliant free transfers our there.  We only have a budget of 150k and 3.8k per week left to play with the first thing I'd suggest anyone to do, unless they want to sell him to make money is sign Joe Newell down to a new contract.  He'll be able to play for you in the Championship.

The Database

I've decided to go with a bigger database straight away.  I'd like to continue this on into the full game and hopefully I can find some young, cheap players that can bolster the squad as we're still lacking strength in places.

The Squad

Goalkeepers:

With no Lee Camp this season we have Richard O'Donnell who is easily the clubs #1 with this edition of Football Manager.  Lewis Price is a good back up but I'd try and sell him, he's on a bit of wage and has some value.  Rodak isn't the strongest back up and it could be worth cancelling his loan.  I'd rather try and sell Price especially with only a year left on his contract.

Defenders:

The full back positions are strong.  Mattock and Cummings will be the starting pair but Purrington and Emmanuel are very good backups.  It's a while since I've been able to say we have two strong fullbacks for each flank.  Wood and Ajayi will the starting pair of centre halves.  Onariase have some potential but needs some work and sadly Ihiekwe isn't the best.  He can do a job as back up for a year but he'll be moved on after that.

Midfielders:

The strongest part of the squad.  Towell and Frecklington look superb for this level, the only problem is they're similar sort of players.  Potter and Vaulks are looking good, not the fastest but they're similar and can be the ball winner as you'll be more than likely using a 3 - 5 man midfield.  Taylor is your key man on the right, he has pace to get down the flank and put a ball in but can be out muscled a bit too easily and he isn't the biggest.  Williams and Forde are both very good themselves.  Forde looks like he'd be quite good as an AML inside forward, which might be an idea.  You only have one proper left winger in Newell which may be a problem.  I'd look to loan another in.

Strikers:

Easily the weakest part of the team.  Moore isn't good at all on the game which is a huge shame.  David Ball is your best player followed by Clarke-Harris who is a useful target man.  Yates has some potential can be an okay back up.  Proctor sadly is out for a year because he'd of been very useful for the team.  Personally I'd sell Clarke-Harris if anyone can in for him.

Overall:

You need another left winger and striker.  You could sell players such as Forde and Price to try bring in money.  The only player that has interest in him day one is Newell and I'd prefer to keep him.  I've used him in the Premiership before.  It'll be interesting to see how well I can develop players such as Ajayi, Purrington and Yates.

It's going to be difficult.  I have no idea what formation I'll play.  Possibly 4 - 5 - 1, I'd prefer to try and play 4 - 4 - 2 but I would need to sell and buy players.  It's time to actually give it a look!

[SpillBlood]

Reserved for tactics + first update.

[Bedese]

Good luck mate! I've decided to not even bother with a Rotherham save at the start of this year because the player ratings just seem way off. Moore and Ihekiwe the two worst players at the club? Jon Taylor slower than Semi Ajayi? Madness. I'll be following  

[Jamesbfc1887]

Good luck! 

Shame about Moore as he looks handy IRL but I can't say I'm not surprised some ratings on FM are just way off, (it's probably to do with some teams not being very fashionable or 'popular' compared to other teams getting comparatively much higher ratings based on nothing at all )

My Barnsley update will be up tomorrow and looking a lot harder than I first thought! (Although I might have a look at Newell now you've mentioned him as he's out of contract at the end of the season isn't he)

But good luck with your save I'll be following closely. 

[Jamesbfc1887]

3 minutes ago, Jamesbfc1887 said:

 

Oops didn't mean to post again 

[DavidBeckham]

Good luck mate! Always love an English club save 

[deltablue]

I was wondering what happened to Price

[SpillBlood]

On 10/27/2017 at 00:00, Jupjamie said:

Good luck mate! I've decided to not even bother with a Rotherham save at the start of this year because the player ratings just seem way off. Moore and Ihekiwe the two worst players at the club? Jon Taylor slower than Semi Ajayi? Madness. I'll be following  

 

On 10/27/2017 at 01:29, Jamesbfc1887 said:

Good luck! 

Shame about Moore as he looks handy IRL but I can't say I'm not surprised some ratings on FM are just way off, (it's probably to do with some teams not being very fashionable or 'popular' compared to other teams getting comparatively much higher ratings based on nothing at all )

My Barnsley update will be up tomorrow and looking a lot harder than I first thought! (Although I might have a look at Newell now you've mentioned him as he's out of contract at the end of the season isn't he)

But good luck with your save I'll be following closely. 

I don't disagree with the ratings.  I've played a silly amount of FM and before Warne brought in the players, I hadn't heard of either.  Moore cannot finish but he's putting in assist for me.  Did you see how much Newell would cost?

 

On 10/27/2017 at 10:03, DavidBeckham said:

Good luck mate! Always love an English club save 

Cheers man!  I think I'll need the luck .

On 10/27/2017 at 11:38, deltablue said:

I was wondering what happened to Price

Well he's appeared on the game, no idea where he is in real life.  You have to be managing the team that beat us today

[SpillBlood]

Preseason and end of summer transfers

Finding a tactic that suited was pretty difficult, I have to be honest.  Rotherhams strength is in its midfield but I could not figure out how to score goals with only one up top.  Even when presented with the chance we'd miss easy chances.  I've managed a sort of 4 - 3 - 3 that allows Forde to cut in and have three midfielders rather than a DM for us to not concede.  Generally though it's 4 - 4 - 2 all the way.  We can defend well with it and we've not conceded from any shots from outside the box yet.  Corners on the other half, we concede too many.

I have had some luck.  Newell equalised vs Fleetwood in the 92nd minute.  Ball should of won that game after missing a huge clear cut chance afterwards.  I was 2 - 0 down to Peterborough and we managed to score 2 in 2 minutes to equalise.  Newcastle we defendly superbly.  I set us up in a 4 - 4 - 2 counter and we could of won by 3 but Ball missed a huge chance.  I can't slate him though.  Preseason he was absolutely woeful.  Then he scored 3 vs Carlisle and 2 vs Southend.

Transfers just didn't happen.  I found one player to fit the squad.  I didn't want to blow my wages.  I had a chance of bringing in Diego Forlan early on but it's just too much wage to spend.  Loan players were not worth using over my backup players.  They were either just not an improvement on the squad or they wanted too much money to bring in.  There was a good striker who looked like he'd fit in either the Target Man or Poacher role but I refused to pay his fee, I was fine with his wage.  I'll have to make do with what we have and we'll be okay as long as we don't suffer with many injuries.

My only signing was Max Clark, a cheap loan.  His versatility is serving us well.

My best prospect is Akeel Francis.  He starts at the club on a short term contract. I've extended his contract by 6 months to see if I can make him into a half decent poacher.

This is the current table.  I wonder where I'll be sitting come January.  It'll take me some time to get there with the new Mario game being released etc.  I'll probably do some updates inbetween with me taking longer then normal.

[SpillBlood]

September

After the loss to Portsmouth.  Scraping wins vs Bury and Walsall and then losing again to Bradford City I felt like we needed a change.  I went in with the 4 - 3 - 3 vs Burnley.  We had possession but could do nothing with it.  I decided to go right, let's see if we can outscore you and changing tactic to 4 - 2 - 4.  We didn't sadly win but we played so well that I saved the tactic and played it in my next game.

Vs Oldham we created six clear cut chances and against Blackburn we created seven clear cut chances.  If I had better strikers we'd of won by even bigger margins.

The league looks like this; with the highest average rated player being Richie Towell and most assists go to Keifer Moore.

The tactic feels well OTT, the amount of players attacking but it's working.  I'll outscore you.

The only problem was vs Bradford we lost Ajayi, Frecklington, Onariase and Emmanuel to injury and it's how we conceded the 2nd goal in the 90+9th minute.  Even though it was 90+6 the ref seemed to be a Bradford fan and we ran into the 100th minute.  I'll have to keep an eye on the squad so that the tactic isn't too intense on them and keep my first team injury free as I'll have to play youth players instead .  The youth players aren't very good, politely put.

[SpillBlood]

October - December

What's really pleasing to see and how i love playing Football Manager is it's rare that we don't score.  We did hit a horrible spot which has cut us the top spot.  Some games we were just didn't defend well enough and let silly mistakes get the better of us.  The Wimbledon game is the best example.  We were 4 - 1 down though and drew 4 - 4!  We should of won as we missed a huge chance at the end. If I had better strikers I think we'd easily be top.  Moore with a better first touch and finishing would be huge.

I use another tactic for away games now.  Due to injuries I was forced to use a different tactic and it actually worked really well.

The table:

We are doing well and there's a good chance if we stay at the same level we'll get promoted.  It's going to be tight as there's many teams pushing for a play off spot, never mind the promotion spots.  It really does depend on injuries.  My back up players really aren't good enough.  If I can keep Moore, Ball and Clarke-Harris fit I'm good uptop.  If I can keep Wood and Ajayi fit I'm good at the back. 

This shows why I rate Newell so much.  I use him as a CM and AML and you know if you're behind he can pop up to finish a Taylor/Williams cross.  He has interest from American teams and I did get a 2.5mil bid for him but for that I am not replacing him.

I may be forced too though because the clubs finances are terrible.  I'll see what January brings.  I may be able to sell some of the fringe players.  Aberdeen want to purchase Dom Ball aswell.  I mean he does look alright but 4 determination really doesn't do it for me.

[SpillBlood]

January and the transfer window

Draws galore!  Thankfully some players have become available and I've managed to pick three players up on loan.

First is a CB who hasn't started yet due to injury.  After he signed Woods and Ajayi were amazing, maybe it was a sign.

The second is a striker I want to try and use for his pace.  Not sure if he'll be a good loan deal or not but he can't do worse then Moore.

And save the best 'til last.  He's already scored 4 in 3 games and is the main replacement for Moore.

The best bit is they are all costing me absolutely nothing.  Moore was sent back due to him being on £1.8k a week.  Rodak was sent back as he played one game in the cup.   This was Moores return.  He could head a ball, usually not on target and that was about it.  It was such a shame.

EIGHT teams could win this title.  It's so tight.  It'd of been so different if those draws were wins in the past month.  We need to see out games we're winning and we should be able to win the league.  It's going to be an exciting race.  Hopefully those chances we create can be finished by McBurnie rather then Moore.  Ball is doing well enough.  14 goals in 28 games is a great return.

Wow there's money being thrown about by Newcastle!

The CB that Arsenal have bought looks incredible.  He's only 18, he'll be World Class for sure.

Turns out a Turkish fellow bought the club out.

[Jamesbfc1887]

Ollie McBurnie has been woeful for me with Barnsley, average rating of 6.62, hopefully her's a lot better for you though 

[SpillBlood]

Bradford City have just lost and we're in pole position to win the league.  Two games left!

We face 21st placed Plymouth and 12th placed Blackpool.  Bradford City face 16th place Southend and 15th placed Scunthorpe.

On 10/30/2017 at 19:42, Jamesbfc1887 said:

Ollie McBurnie has been woeful for me with Barnsley, average rating of 6.62, hopefully her's a lot better for you though 

He's brilliant.  Especially since we've just lost Ball for 3 months, he's playing well up top on his own.

[SpillBlood]

First half is looking good.  We're playing well and Bradford haven't scored yet. Plymouth scored a cracking half volley but the attacker was offside.

A massive boost for Rotherham as Bradford have a player sent off!

We've had Wood sent off in the 86th minute but we'd pretty much won the league on goal difference.  90th minute penalty should seal it a game earlier though!

WE'VE DONE IT!!!!

We have some money for transfers.  We don't have any in the bank though!

Need to keep these players.  Depends how much their value goes up.

There would of been a good chance for David Ball to be top goal scorer if he didn't get injured.  Proper shame.  Taylor only played 36 games aswell as he hit a bad patch of form!

And a reward!

[DavidBeckham]

Congrats on the league one title mate! Looking forward to seeing how you evolve your team for the championship! 

[SpillBlood]

End of season

https://i.gyazo.com/72add5ac220dd3dae829ee11cc834023.png[/img]

Finances are a huge problem.  I'm going to have to sell players.

Still leaves us looking like this.

He injected more!

And with sponsor money we're looking okay!

Means I can offer contracts to my players now .  Shame a few of them are trying to add "if play X amount in last season then add another year on".  No thanks.

I never expected to see this! I wonder if they can keep it going!

[deltablue]

Good luck staying up. 

[DavidBeckham]

Wow amazing from A. Madrid. Even though we shouldn't be too surprised at Real Madrid's underachievement as it mirrors their situation in real life

[KillercowDivine]

Very impressive. Congratulations on the promotion and on the new sponsor deals

Hope you will be able to build a strong enough team to survive next season

[Jamesbfc1887]

Great achievement and very impressive. Hopefully you won't struggle too much in the Champ but with those finances you're gonna have your work cut out. If you've got any money look at some frees from Scotland: Louis Moult, Jamie Walker, Kenny Mclean, Liam Henderson, Jai Quitongo and Craig Sibbald  

[SpillBlood]

August and the end of the summer transfer window

First things first.  I don't think it's ever taken me this long to go through a transfer window.  The amount of players I've had to look through that will fit the team, that won't cost a lot of money or better they're free and don't have high wage demands.  Overall I'm quite happy with it but the time!

Players out:

Onariase was never going to play here and I wanted rid of his wage.  It was the same with Ihiekwe.  Proctor comes back from injury and isn't half a good, glad I was able to get any money for him.  Williams did play well enough but that's not a bad fee for him because he's injury prone and when I saw Mendez-Laing being transfer listed I wanted him as a first team player.

Players in:

There's a lot.  We've signed the most in the Championship.  I didn't know that you had to play one home grown player now.  Considering Rotherham aren't a club known for that I was able to bring Ryan Taylor in for free.  He isn't techincally good enough but as my 5th striker I don't see it as a problem. 

I've brought in younger players.  Crean, Solbakken, Ercolani, Rosler and Kolen are all 18 year olds with some potential.  Kolen is my favourite of the bunch and i'm hoping he can improve a lot.  Solbakken could play in my first team now but he's very one footed so his stats look better.

When it comes to first team players.  Kortney Hause being listed for 275k is an absolute steal.  I reckon he's one of the best LCBs in the league and he's been amazing for me so far.    I mean he's only 23, he can improve.  If I sell him it'll be for some money.

This is a player I found and managed to loan in.  He's not even first team choice but I'm glad we can bring in some quality.

Strikers were the hardest thing to find.  McBunnie stayed on another year.  We still have Ball.  Fletcher is a great addition.  I needed an extra body and Doyle was the only fit.  Taylor came in to play the HG player.

I've never heard of this player either and I'm a big fan.  I'm hoping to steal him at the end of his contract.

The squad

The goalkeepers:

O'Donnell is still my starter.  Can't replace him unless I spend pure money.  Macey is a good back up I feel, especially for a free.

The defenders:

Jones and Riley are my right backs.  Both young with potential but both can play first team.  I wasn't able to find an established right back and I have faith in these two.

My left backs are the same.  Mattock with Purrington as his backup.  Both played well last season and no need to change.

My center backs is probably my best area.  Hause and Ball start.  Stankovic is the 3rd choice.  With Pleguezuelo brought in on a free who has huge potential and with Ajayi still.  With just a few games I've seen how strong my CBs are.  Hovstad is my 6th CB, I've brought him in and loaned him out for experience.  Hopin' he can become good.

The midfielders:

I'd say just as strong as last year, if not stronger.  Newell and Frecklington are key players.  Some brilliant loans, some good potential players.  Good wide players.  It's a good enough midfield for a team trying to stay up. 

Strikers:

My weakest area.  McBurnie is struggling in the league but thankfully Ball hasn't.  Doyle and Fletcher are good enough I reckon.  Fletcher needs time to settle it seems.

The story so far...

Wasn't expecting to see 3 wins in 4 games, were you!? Nope, neither was I!

Cardiff was an even game but Forde scored an absolute belter of a freekick to give us the win.  Brighton we were better slightly in the first half and managed to hold on for the second where it was backs against the wall.  It was the same with Ipswich Town.  We managed to get two early goals and then hold on.  Barnsley game though.  We got battered, I mean battered.  We should of lost by 6/7 goals, they were just a class above us.

If I can steal points like that then I'll be able to stay up.  I feel the squad is strong enough.  It's whether we manage to put chances away as we won't get as many as last year.

Oh, and I'm still playing that silly 4 - 2 - 2 and sometimes they 4 - 3 - 3!

 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Kortney Hause for £275K that's not even fair!!!!! 

[SpillBlood]

18 minutes ago, Jamesbfc1887 said:

Kortney Hause for £275K that's not even fair!!!!! 

[Jamesbfc1887]

lol that's hilarious, chances of that happening I must have jinxed you 

That really isn't fair .

 

[SpillBlood]

Ooohhhh....

[SpillBlood]

Ohhhh again.

Nothing on Brexit though.

[SpillBlood]

Very quick update as it's Blizzcon and the opening ceremony will be on soon.

September - December

We've been battered quite a few times but we've bloody won some tough madness!  I mean our goal difference is minus in 5th!!!  We're doing amazing and better I could of hoped for.  Players are showing their quality.  Buzzin' so far.  We'll finish top half hopefully and carry from there.  I doubt any transfers for January!

 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Not doubting your tactical genius or anything but this is a great example of n importance of momentum in FM, congrats

[Ronaldo Beckham]

@SpillBlood good career thread mate, making my shift at work go quicker.

One question though, do you have a high spec computer to be able to have all them leagues on and player database, does it run slow with all of the leagues etc ?

[SpillBlood]

1 hour ago, Ronaldo Beckham said:

@SpillBlood good career thread mate, making my shift at work go quicker.

One question though, do you have a high spec computer to be able to have all them leagues on and player database, does it run slow with all of the leagues etc ?

I wouldn't say it high end now.  It's not low or fast, in the middle. I just prefer having a more expansive game.

I run an i5-4690K, 970GTX and 16 gig of ram.  I do sometimes have WoW or Heroes, Hearthstone or Twitch open aswell.

5 hours ago, Jamesbfc1887 said:

Not doubting your tactical genius or anything but this is a great example of n importance of momentum in FM, congrats

It's something I need to take the feedback thread this!  I use three different formations.  4 - 2 - 4, 4 - 3 -3 and 4 - 1 -3 - 2 wingerless.  They keep complaining how many tactics I use!  It's a Football Manager game, I have to try and counter the opposition!  I think keeping the core of the squad has helped alot.

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Ok cool I have a decent i7 laptop so might try a bigger database when I attempt a save with Rotherham at some point, keep up the good work on here mate.

[SpillBlood]

January and end of winter transfer window

Team are playing really well together, it's great to see.  Hause and Mendez-Laing are back and fully fit which is a huge bonus.  Ball is only one goal behind the leagues top scorer.

Never expected to be in this position come the end of January.  We're taking one game at a time and see how we do.  I didn't mind losing the cup game, it meant we concentrate on the league.

When it comes to transfers I've brought in 3 youth players.  A 16 year old goalkeeper that Arsenal released.  An 18 year old winger that Juventus released and then spent 120k on this game.  He has potential and he'll be getting chances as Forde and Taylor are not taking there chances on the right.

Doesn't look unreal but has potential and worth a gamble at 120k.  I'm hoping him being trained by Forde and first team football will aid to his development.  There wasn't one bit of negativity from the fans when we signed him either.

It's crazy though.  I've spent £120k and that's my budget gone.  Then there's money like this going round!

[SpillBlood]

Oh this is a cool feature! Look how Championship is THIRD!!! It's crazy! Beats Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1.

[SpillBlood]

Imagine Cartmans crying noise from South Park then read this.  My reaction.

On the plus side... could we get automatic?

It's going to be pretty hard!  If we make the play offs I'll be buzzing! 

[SpillBlood]

It gets worse!

We were 3rd until the 89th minute!  Ryan Taylor who's actually scored recently then missed a sitter after Fletcher set up him!

We're without the league top scorer and my best midfielder for the last two games and the play offs!

[DavidBeckham]

You're really unlucky with injuries there. Are you giving rest days to your players based on advice from the medical centre? Since I started giving rest days, the injury situation improved considerably!

[SpillBlood]

Taylor redeemed himself, what a come back from being 2 - 0 down! Can we get automatic?! We'd need to win and them draw/lose.  We cannot get close on GD.

Fulham play Millwall who are rock bottom and we play Birmingham who are 20th.  It'll be a couple of hours before I get to play!

3 hours ago, DavidBeckham said:

You're really unlucky with injuries there. Are you giving rest days to your players based on advice from the medical centre? Since I started giving rest days, the injury situation improved considerably!

I'm trying my best to rotate but I like to keep my best players playing.  My depth especially up top isn't the best.  Ryan Taylor scording goals all of a sudden is pure on luck.

[SpillBlood]

Match day 46

This is how the teams line up at St. Andrew's

It's 1 - 0 to Birmingham!

O'Donnell could of done much better, the defense were also passengers though.  We're struggling so far.

It looks like we'll be finishing 3rd or 4th.  Fulham took the lead at The Den.

Fulham have doubled their lead.

This is how the table looks.  I'd rather try and face Swansea then Norwich.

We've pulled it back!  We're still 4th on GD though.

HUGE MISTAKE

https://i.gyazo.com/a9c51231ca1163f49c8d0ef4bfa74ab8.mp4

We're ahead and in 3rd!

Half time!

It's 3 - 1!  Great attack and that should be the game for us.  Fulham are holding on strong though, we'd just need 14 more goals.

10 minutes left and it's still 2 - 0 to Fulham at the Den.  We're holding our lead well, Birmingham have had double our shots but less on target and no clear chances compared to our 3.

Full time!

Play offs it is!

[SpillBlood]

Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final Leg 1

Or something I like to call Score more goals than Dwight Gayle puts past you leg 1

I mean look how they line up!  That team should be winning the championship!  We'll try our best!

Bugger.

Quick easy ball down the mid and his pace catches our CBs out.  That is an awful start.

Damn!  Thought we'd scored but we're offside.  Silly place to be caught offside from a free kick being swung in!

O'Donnell makes a great save to deny Gayles header, this is bloody tough.  We can't make a chance.

O'Donell makes a huge save to deny Gayle.  The lad is everywhere.  Might have to switch to wingerless at half time.

It's half time.  We've gotta change something.

[SpillBlood]

Second half

All three subs used and instead of my normal wingerless i'm going to have three up top.

He's at it again.

It's a free kick, they lay off it and a long shot comes in, great save by O'Donnell. Mesa keeps it, passes back to Gayle and no one closes him down and shoots through about 7 people!!!  That was horrendous defending.

89th minute and we're down to 10 men.  Frecklington is injured.

They battered us.  They defend better then they attack, I can't see us doing anything in the second leg.

Wow.  He's just too injury prone.  Another big loss!

[SpillBlood]

Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final Leg 2

How we line up today! Throwing an unfit Vaulks and Mattock in!  They can just throw players like Snowgrass and Pritchard on!  No Gayle though, he's on the bench!

Get in! Great start!

Solbakken puts through an amazing ball and Fletcher is onside and finishes well!

The dream is over.  Quick ball down the wing, it's crosssed in and no one deals  and Tarashaj just hits in.  Shame 'cus everyone shot Swansea had before that was catching practice.

It's half time.

[SpillBlood]

Second half and i'm changing it[/b]

 

Ryan Taylor isn't playing well and our fullbacks are not putting in good enough balls so hopefully these two can have impact.

48th minute we should of scored!  Fletcher and Taylor just passing in their box, Taylor finally shoots and he skys it!

Great team goal, are we back in with a shout? We'd need two more goals.

Close!  Mendez-Laing plays it to Fletcher but it's not he wasn't expecting it and his shot is tame, wasn't a CCC but could of done better!

That came out of know where!  What a great team goal and Fletcher hat-trick!

NO WAY!!!

THE GAME JUST BLOODY CRASHED!!!!!!

[SpillBlood]

Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final Leg 2 Attempt 2

Well since I was taking to extra time and feel like I just got majorly screwed over this is how we're lining up!  Had to take a break, well annoyed me .

Might as well try what was working before the damn crash, feels only fair!

PENALTY!!! TO ROTHERHAM!!

Long ball over and Fletcher is brought down!

(I have no idea where the assist from Mendez-Laing comes from?)

Will this build the momentum or will Swansea hit back at us!?

THE BAR!!! Lovely team play in midfield, Taylor crosses in and Fletcher heads onto the bar!  Come on you Millers!  Get back at the damn save crashing.

O'Donnell makes a good save!  Pritchard crosses in and Tarashaj hits it on the half volley!

IT'S 2 - 0!!!! WHAT A GOAL!!!

Mendez-Laing takes on his man, ones twos with Fletcher and hits in!

It's half time and we're looking good.  Will Gayle pop up at all to deny us a place in the final!?

[SpillBlood]

Second half[

We're putting pressure on them already!

56h minute and Gayle comes on.  Will he make the difference!? He should of scored but thankfully he's offside anyway!!!

70th minute and they've started to play a bit better, especially with Gayle on the pitch.  We're doing a good job keeping him offside.

This is a really good end to end game!  Gayle is everywhere for them and Fletcher is everywhere for us!

HE SHOULD OF SCORED!  Bit of luck and the ball drops to Mendez-Laing, the keeper makes an amazing save!!!

Nooo!  Flecther missed a huge chance after an amazing ball from Kairinen!  You'd of put money on to bury that and it wasn't a CCC according to the game!

End of 90 minutes!

[Jamesbfc1887]

The tension is unreal!

[SpillBlood]

Extra time first half

Great ball to Gayle but he's on the wrong side and gets his shot all wrong!

I'm so unsure whether to make a sub.  It'd be to bring my youth player RW I bought for Taylor and he's not been outstanding but I feel like I could upset the team balance.

Gayle is currently our best defender, he loves that offside.  Again he's offside .

Extra time second half

I still have two subs left.  Jones came on for Mattock in the 63rd minute but that was it.  Played are knackered but just 10 more minutes for penalties!

IT'S PENALTIES! And we do not have the best penalty takers

We're going first.

Fletcher steps up... SCORES!

Gayle steps up... SCORES!

Snodgrass steps up.. SAVED!!!

Solbakken steps up... SCORES!

Jon Taylor steps up... SCORES!

Tom Carroll steps up.. SCORES!

Alex Pritchard steps up.. SCORES!

Kairinen steps up.. SCORES!

IT'S DOWN TO MENDEZ -LAING.

IT'S SAVED!!!

AMARTEY STEPS UP.. SCORES!

COOK STEPS UP... SCORES!

CAN WE SCORE TWO!?

RILEY STEPS UP... SCORES!

HAUSE STEPS UP... SCORES!!!!!

MARCELO STEPS UP... IT'S SAVED!

WE'RE INTO THE FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vs Brighton and on past results it can go either way!

LOOK AT THAT TEAM!!! ISAK, ONOMAH, BENTANCUR!

[SpillBlood]

The final!

Oh dear.

Lovely ball through, keeper could of maybe done better.

Oof close!  4th minute and Mendez-Laings shot is just over the bar!

O'Donnell makes a huge save.  Freekick comes in, it's headed down and hit on the volley by Grob!

GOALLLLL WHAT A HIT BY FLETCHER!

Lovely ball through and Fletcher should not score, he hits it and the keeper will be wanting that one back!

Brighton get another though!

That's a wonderful through ball and Isak is free to get his second.

Half time, it's close!  May go 4 - 2 - 4 quite soon.

[SpillBlood]

Second half

GOAL!! Lovely football from the Millers!

Grob made a mistake and we were in!

Ah a chance! Mendez-Laing shot is blocked and he puts a ball across but somehow it evades Fletcher and Taylor, it's there to hit!  They don't react!

O'Donnell makes a very good save from a long shot!

Both teams messing up!  Not able to pass to each other!

SO CLOSE!!! What passing from Rotherham and Fletcher has it on the left and shoots, keeper saves!

WHAT A TACKLE!! Knockaert takes on one defender but Mattock makes a last ditch tackle to deny him!

WHAT A SAVE!! Bentancur has made some outstanding passes and Wellington Silva has it on the left.  O'Donnell keeps us in the game.

IT'S EXTRA TIME!

[SpillBlood]

I just accidentally pressed back and last my post for extra time.

We've gone 4 - 2 - 4 though and Knockaert missed a sitter as the ball luckily dropped to him.

OH WE'VE BEEN PUNISHED!

Wellington Silva is in and O'Donnell rushes out, he squares it and Isak gets his hat-trick.  Keeper didn't need to come out.

What a game though! We didn't win but we'd of never stayed up!