Rotherham v Grimsby Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 22/01/2010

ANOTHER week, another striker as Town make their way to Sheffield for a game against nomad Rotherham in the hope of ending the winless run stretching back to the days of the Byzantine.

Their History...

Technically the club was formed in 1925 when Rotherham Town and Thornhill County amalgamated but these two former clubs can trace their roots back to 1870 and 1877 respectively before coming together to form the now known friendly face Rotherham United. Their highest league place was back in 1955 finishing joint runners up in Division Two of old only denied promotion to the top league due to a slender difference in goal ratio.

Last Season Was....

About their points deduction. Rotherham set out with a real sense of purpose last season with their 17 points deduction was all but wiped off the board by early October with the 4-1 annihilation of ourselves at Don Valley giving them a clean slate. In fact the Millers form last season was so impressive they would have made the play offs but for the deduction and with the turmoil of moving stadiums and having to train in Doncaster paying Rovers for the privilege. Mark Robins who is now at Barnsley really showed how to triumph over adversity.

This Season....

The Millers have taken the bulls by the horns now with a clean slate they have consistently held a position in or around the play-offs since August and currently lay in 5th just a point behind Dagenham and Redbridge and just 3 off an automatic promotion spot. With the third best goal difference in the league of 11+ supplied mostly by the ever fantastic Adam le Fondre and undeniable pain in the neck Kevin Ellison. Rotherham have been able to record some impressive victories this season including a victory over run away leaders Rochdale and a recent 4-2 victory at Bradford. While we’re on the subject of recent form The Millers has taken a bit of a slip since December the 4-2 win at Bradford is their only victory since November and though games have been called off due to the adverse weather conditions, Rotherham have played just 22 games compared to the majority 25, they lost to rock bottom Darlington on Tuesday and not forgetting their 3-0 defeat to non league Luton in the FA Cup. Is it the right time to play the Millers?

Last Time Out....

Grimsby 1-2 Rotherham (18-08-2009)

Town came away feeling dejected in a game they thought they should have had more out of. After poor performances at Tranmere and their first home game of the season against Crewe both ending in 4-0 defeats. Town came out with a new vigour and in tent only for their hard work to be thwarted by a Robbie Stockdale handball and a few controversial decisions resulting in Rotherham’s second. Though Town set a new stall out for their performances it was all to be a false dawn.

Key Player... Adam Le Fondre

Le Fondre’s 17 goals this season have been pivotal in the clubs league success it’s no coincidence that Rotherham's dip in form has coincided with a similar dip in Le Fondres goal count. Signing from Rochdale in the summer Le Fondre took no time settling in to life on the eastern side of the Pennines his first goal was from the spot against ourselves starting a run of one goal in the next four games or more impressively 10 in 11 games. The deal seems to be worth the reported £100,000 paid by Robins in the summer on a 3 year contract. At 23 Le Fondre has a lot of time to grow in to the outstanding goal scorer he has become and is already widely known in the lower leagues and it is only a matter of time before those higher up the ladder come sniffing.

The Don Valley

Since leaving Millmoor Rotherham have settled in to their home from home in neighbouring Sheffield. The vast mainly open stadium obviously lacks atmosphere but facilities are good even if the view is poor. Car Parking is available at Pic Toys and is clearly signposted and priced at around £3. Those coming on the loco may want to get off at Meadowhall Interchange Station and catch the tram to the stadium just four short stops away. Those who went last year will just hope the walk out of the ground will be more joyous than last time.

Team News

New loan signing Ashley Chambers is expected to start after signing on loan from Leicester.
Robbie Stockdale (hernia) and Adrian Forbes (leg) remain the only injury absentees.

Midifielder Dale Tonge will be available after recovering from an ankle injury
Defender Nick Fenton remains suspended for the fourth and final game of his ban.
Paul Warne (foot) and for Andy Liddell (achilles) are not yet ready..

Prediction

Anything will be better than the Mariners' last visit but a win is needed more and more with each passing hour only with a win under their belts will Wood’s men know how to get out of this mess.

Rotherham 0-0 Grimsby.

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