Have Rotherham United discovered the right formula in fight for survival?
Given recent evidence, his players are starting to listen.
In the club’s brave but ultimately unsuccessful quest to stave off the drop at this level in 2018-19, when their fates went to the penultimate weekend, the Millers’ wretched form on the road proved the story of their season.
Speaking in the close season, Warne said: “Although we did do well, our away form killed us. We are going to have to put more pressure to get every last bit of energy and knowledge out of every player we have got.
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Hide Ad“Maybe the pressure is not on us when we play a big team away from home, but we are going to have to put it on ourselves if we want to succeed.”
Recent evidence suggests that they are following fine road victories at Derby and now Middlesbrough that were both thoroughly comprehensive and arrived complete with two clean sheets.
The Millers may still be in the relegation zone, but their outstanding midweek 3-0 win at the Riverside Stadium in particular will lead to several clubs just above them nervously glancing over their shoulders after Warne’s side delivered the sort of triumph which threatens to blow the survival race wide open.
Rotherham have now posted back-to-back away successes in the space of 11 days.
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Hide AdTo provide some staggering context, it equals the amount of wins that they had mustered on their Championship travels from their previous 58 outings.
More pertinently, it took their total of away points this season up to 11 from 12 matches. It is as many as they managed in the whole of the 2018-19 campaign.
It was not just the last two victories which have been significant, more the manner of them.
The Millers outplayed, outran and out-thought both Boro and the Rams. It followed on from an exemplary performance which pushed a strong Everton side all the way in the FA Cup.
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Hide AdIt has also showcased the players’ character and togetherness.
In their final away game of 2020, Rotherham were desperately unfortunate to succumb to two late goals – including a winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time – in a cruel 2-1 reverse at Blackburn Rovers.
It was a low moment in theircampaign. But feeling sorry for themselves has never been part of the Millers’ make-up under Warne, whose players are undoubtedly ‘glad-to-be-here’, but are also driven, ultra-professional, organised, together and fit.
Fewer sides expend as much physical energy in games than the Millers, with their conditioning being something that they pride themselves upon under a fitness fanatic in Warne, who will simply not tolerate low standards in that regard.
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Hide AdFor those players who were involved in the 2018-19 season, there is also the motivational fuel of going one better after coming so close to survival two years ago.
In terms of options, the Millers are also in ‘good place’ according to Warne, with the likes of Kieran Sadlier and Chiedozie Ogbene set to return shortly.
Clarke Robertson made his first appearance since the end of October as a late substitute at Boro. Shaun MacDonald also started his first game since Halloween and produced a fine display before ‘blowing up’ according to Warne, who saw the cherry on the cake arrive with a late third goal from new signing Ryan Giles.
Just as importantly, United have hit upon the right system with a 5-3-1-1 formation with Matt Crooks supporting Michael Smith – who have been in brilliant recent form – looking perfect for them, with Richard Wood left to organise a five-strong backline.
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Hide AdYet amid the euphoria of United’s historic victory at Boro, Warne added a telling caveat.
To win games at this level, as Warne has said on countless occasions, they must give absolutely everything. As they must continue to do amid a gruelling schedule with themselves and Wycombe having only just reached the half-way mark of the season.
Next, the Millers welcome high-flying Swansea, with Warne admitting he will have to ‘mix and match’ a bit after picking up a couple of problems, with Crooks coming off with a calf issue.
It reinforces the need for the Millers to cover their bases ahead of the transfer deadline as they look thin if anything happens to Smith – who has scored five goals in his last six league games – and Crooks, who has netted three times in two Championship outings.
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Hide AdAddress that and Rotherham – if they are given a fair wind on the injury front – possess a fighting chance and have the serious potential to spook others.
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