Having started the League Two season with a home win over Bristol Rovers, York’s first away game of the season brings a trip to recently relegated Rotherham. What kind of game can we expect at the New York Stadium, and how are the Millers shaping up for their first season at this level in over a decade?
We’ve met before…
Recent meetings between the two sides have mostly come in cup competitions, with the Millers being in a higher league than York for all but one season since 2000. The most recent campaign in which they shared a division was 2012/13, which saw City make their only two previous trips to the New York Stadium. A 1-0 win for York in the 2nd Round of the EFL Trophy in September was followed up with a 1-1 draw in the League Two fixture in February, and Matty Blair was the scorer for City on each occasion. Between those meetings, the teams also played out a goalless draw at Bootham Crescent. The following season, Rotherham - then competing a level higher in League One - visited York in the EFL Trophy 1st Round and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the last competitive meeting before this Saturday.
Prior to that, other recent clashes included a League Cup 1st Round tie in 2003/04 when City lost 2-1 at Millmoor in Chris Brass’ second game as manager. City fans will have happier memories of being drawn against the Millers in the FA Cup 1st Round in 2010/11, as Gary Mills’ side forced a replay by holding Rotherham to a 0-0 draw at the Don Valley Stadium, then triumphed 3-0 in the return game at Bootham Crescent with Michael Rankine netting a brace.
What to expect from Rotherham
Rotherham have undergone some major changes over the summer after dropping down from League One. They have a new face in the dugout with Alex Bruce taking his first managerial role in the football league, and a new structure behind him including Steve McClaren who has taken on the role of Head of Football. The playing squad has also been overhauled, with some notable signings such as Paul Mullin arriving and a large chunk of last season’s squad being released.
With all this change, it’s perhaps to be expected that they’ve not had the smoothest start to the season. Losing at home to Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup might have been anticipated, but the manner of the defeat will have been a worry as the Baggies cruised to a 4-1 win. Then, in their first league game, the Millers fell to a 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham despite dominating possession and creating more chances in the game.
After playing a 4-3-3 formation throughout pre-season, Alex Bruce surprised many by switching to a 3-1-4-2 system for the Cheltenham fixture. Despite losing the game, Bruce declared himself satisfied with how the players adapted to the formation, and said that he considers it a better fit for the squad currently available to him. It seems probable that he will stick with the same system, then, although a return to a back four isn't out of the question. Bruce has also confirmed that there are no new injury concerns for the Millers.
In goal, Ted Cann has continued as first choice from the back end of last season, but now faces competition from USA youth international keeper Julian Eyestone who arrived recently on loan from Brentford. They lined up with a youthful back three against Cheltenham, with 23-year-old Ewan Otoo the elder statesman alongside Sonny Aljofree and Lenny Agbaire, both 21. There is competition for their places from two more youngsters in Emmanuel Adegboyega and Kieran Ngwenya, or if Bruce wants to add experience to the back line then club captain Joe Rafferty could be an option for the right centre-back slot.
On the right flank, the pacy Denzel Hall is the clear standout option but has been the subject of speculation linking him to a move away from the Millers this week. A bid from Salford has been knocked back, so Hall looks likely to remain at Rotherham at least for now. On the left, meanwhile, Jili Buyabu has joined on loan from Sheffield United and made an impressive start, scoring the Millers’ goal in the defeat at Cheltenham. Other options on the wings include Aaron Nemane, a regular at promotion-winning MK Dons last season, and the skilful Ar’Jany Martha who has been capped by Curaçao.
At the base of the midfield three, the energetic Ossama Ashley was signed from Salford this summer and was expected to be a regular starter, but lost his place to Brandon Cover for the game against Cheltenham. In the two more advanced midfield roles, Kian Spence and Jamie Jellis look set to continue: both have recent experience in League Two with Barrow and Walsall respectively.
Marquee signing Paul Mullin looks certain to start up front, and will be hoping to get off the mark for his new side. Fábio Tavares is likely to partner him: having joined from Burton Albion in the summer, the pacy Portuguese attacker opened his account for the Millers in the League Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion. Another option up front is the experienced former Wales international Tom Bradshaw, but he seems likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.
York team news
After the 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers, we can expect City head coach Scott Lindsey to keep changes to a minimum. Alfie McNally will start in goal, and the centre-back trio of Morgan Williams, Zak Johnson and Mark Kitching looks secure now that Kitching has returned to full fitness. Harry Boyes’ excellent debut performance will have cemented his place at left wing-back, while Joe Felix is likely to continue at right wing-back with Jack Hunt still out injured. Ollie Banks looked more comfortable in a deeper-lying role against the Gas so will expect to partner Alex Hunt at the base of midfield again, although Arthur Read will be pushing for a start.
The main question concerns the centre-forward position, where Josh Stones remains out and Dipo Akinyemi is a doubt having been substituted before half-time against Bristol Rovers. Even if he shakes off the knock he has been carrying, Akinyemi’s starting place will surely be under threat after underwhelming showings in his first two appearances since returning to York. Ollie Pearce may well start at centre-forward, then, with support from Joe Grey and Alex Newby in the attacking midfield roles after both put in impressive displays last weekend.
