Assistant Manager expecting difficult clash...
Russell Slade brings the league’s early pace-setters to New York Stadium on Saturday, and Paul Raynor is calling on his experience of the Leyton Orient boss to predict what’s in store.
Raynor, who worked with Slade at Sheffield United knows what a test it will be against the division’s top scorers, and despite Kevin Lisbie (13) and David Mooney (14) now being joined by Chris Dagnall, the Millers’ number two doesn’t limit their threat to the in-form strikers.
“They’re strong all over the pitch,” Raynor said. “They’re strong defensively and they’re very aggressive in a controlled way; I know Russell Slade very well, he gets his players playing well, he’s a no nonsense guy, his team will be well set-up and organised. I worked with him at Sheffield United a good few years ago, but now he’s got a potent strikeforce with a team who work hard behind them, and real quality in the wide areas with Cox and Odubajo.”
Rotherham will be looking to get back to winning ways at New York Stadium after being held to a draw last time out. Crawley Town twice went ahead but the Millers twice came back with Kieran Agard netting a late equaliser, and Raynor has highlighted the role that the home support can play.
“The atmosphere we know will be absolutely magnificent at home, they stuck with us against Crawley and they can be that extra man to really kick us on for what would be a fantastic victory.”