Rochdale v Rotherham, preview
The Millers travel to Rochdale this weekend looking to bounce back after their 2-1 defeat to League Two side Chesterfield in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek.
In their last four league games, Rochdale have picked up five points, having two draws, one defeat and one victory in that time. Only one of those fixtures was at home however, a resulted in a 3-0 win over Gillingham.
Millers boss Paul Warne, will be hoping his side can reproduce the performance which yielded a positive result at Portsmouth on the road, having come close to picking up points in the game at Bradford City.
Last Time Out
The Millers
Rotherham’s last game in the league was a 1-0 home victory over Northampton with Kieffer Moore scoring the only game in that game.
Despite the fact that there was only one goal in the game, there were plenty of chances for both sides.
Earlier on in the game, Moore had an effort cleared off the line after he had rounded Northampton goalkeeper Matt Ingram.
Michael Ihiekwe then went close to for Rotherham, when his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the Cobblers’ stopper.
Moore’s goal came in the 52nd minute, when he pounced on a bouncing ball in the penalty area and applied the decisive touch to poke the ball beyond Ingram, in what would prove to be the only goal of the game.
Opposition
In Rochdale’s last league game, they had a 0-0 stalemate against AFC Wimbledon in a game which marked their fifth consecutive clean-sheet.
Andy Barcham was the biggest threat for the home side in the first half, making a number of dangerous runs from deep, to forge a host of chances for his side in the opening phase.
Rochdale’s best chance came courtesy of Donervan Daniels, but his header was saved by Wimbledon goalkeeper George Long.
The result continues Rochdale’s fine form in their last few games, with them building up momentum before they host The Millers.
One To Watch
Captain, Ian Henderson’s experience could prove to be vital for Rochdale this season.
Henderson has played 680 minutes so far this season for Rochdale and has also scored a goal from midfield, which came in a 3-0 win against Gillingham.
Henderson has been at Rochdale for four and a half years now, after joining them on 26th February 2013.
Henderson is also a former Millers player having joined on a six month loan in 2007, before joining Northampton Town in that summer.
Head To Head
The last game between the two sides was on the 7th December 2013, with Rochdale being the 2-1 away victors on that day.
Lee Frecklington scored the opening goal in the sixth minute for The Millers, and he could also play again for The Millers on Saturday afternoon.
Matty Lund equalised for Rochdale, before Michael Tidser was sent off for Rotherham.
Rochdale then won the game thanks to Peter Vincenti, whose goal saw his side progress into the next round of the FA Cup.
Injury News
Striker David Ball came on in midweek’s cup defeat to Chesterfield, but manager Paul Warne admits that the striker still isn’t 100% fit. He stated that the striker had “Only trained on Monday,” and explained that involving him from the start on Saturday may be a risk.
Defender Ben Purrington is “Expected to be out for at least another month,” according to Warne. The defender is side-lined with a hamstring injury at presen sustained in the game at Blackburn. The defender also had a similar issue last year and Warne says “These types of injuries do re-occur.” The injury is a grade two hamstring tear.
Jon Taylor is also currently sidelined with injury. Warne says that “The prognosis from his injury wasn’t as bad as first thought.” The midfielder will miss this weekend’s game at Rochdale, however. Warne added “That with any luck he might be on the training ground again part of next week.”