Who Are Yer?: Rotherham

Wednesday face a tough South Yorkshire derby against Rotherham on Thursday night, and we talk to Vital Rotherham journalist herringthorpe ahead of the clash.

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1. It's a South Yorkshire derby, but in the first round of the Carling Cup - how much are the Millers looking forward to the match?

As Millers fans we have to be looking forward to the game - it's a biggie for us, it's a Cup game and our first game at home this season. Saying that, the tickets have actually gone quite slowly and I understand, at this present time, there are still some left which is a tad disappointing. I rather suspect Sky may be something to do with that though.

2. What are your expectations for the season?

At the end of last season I said I would be happy to finish mid-table this season. Having played well in our pre-season games, I was getting a little giddy and saying play-off's without a doubt. I was unable to go to Hereford on Saturday but the reports I was getting weren't favourable so I'm back to just above half-way. Of course, that may change after Thursday... (!)

3. How has Graham Coughlan settled in at Millmoor?

I can't imagine Graham Coughlan not settling anywhere! He seems to be a good captain and has played well so far and he and Ian Sharps seem to have shored up the defence this season.

4. What do you make of Mark Robins?

I always liked Mark Robins as a player and I like him as a manager too. He always has time to talk and doesn't seem to mind answering questions. He comes over well in interviews on the TV/radio and is so very passionate about Rotherham United. The players always say good things about him and he is very approachable. With John Breckin joining as second in command in the summer this will have taken a bit of pressure of him as well.

5. What's your greatest Carling Cup memory?

We were in the first ever final you know! But recently it has to be the game at Arsenal in 2003 - it was one all at full time, a Darren Byfield goal in the 90th minute. Our goalie had one of his famous 'I'm going to walk five yards out of my area and catch the ball' moments in the first half of extra time and we eventually lost 9-8 on penalties.


6. And your greatest Millers v Owls memory?

Joe McBride - and 'that' goal from Darren Garner!

7. Who are your danger men we should look out for?

It's a complete new team this season and only having one competitive game so far I'm not sure who the danger men will be yet. I saw four of the pre-season games and have been impressed with Peter Holmes and Andy Todd. But what impressed me more was the way we played as a team and passed the ball about (believe me in the past few seasons that hasn`t happened an awful lot!)

8. What kind of Rotherham team can we expect on Thursday?

A team of players who will fight for every ball.

9. What is your score prediction?

The longer we go without conceding will be in our best interest - and after your result on Saturday (what happened there then?!) I think we could win
2-1.

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Cheers herringthorpe - good look for the rest of the season in League One. In Graham Coughlan you have a leader who can help haul you back out of that division and we wish you all the best, even though the feeling probably isn't mutual!

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