Rampant

That was fun yesterday. Two penalties conceded, a red card and a home defeat to the club who came up last season via the L2 playoffs. 
The performance of the ref and his assistants is the talk of the forum but my overall take is this.....
 
1. We didn't deserve to win the game and our performance should be of greater concern than that of the officials.
2. The key decisions - the two pens plus Collins' red - weren't awful decisions. Collins didn't aim for their player but he lashed out and if he's caught him then the ref is always likely to send him off.
3. Sibley was hauled down at the end but the ref gave it as a free kick to them rather than a penalty (or waving play on). As it happens, I'm pretty sure he blew before the corner had actually been taken so he got that incident doubly wrong.
4. Whatever the merits or otherwise are of having three CB's and playing with wingbacks, I'm already of the opinion that neither Barkhuizen or Mendez-Laing are suitable for the role. Festy or Byrne as RWB and Lowe or Buchanan as LWB yes, but I've spotted a problem with that.
NML seemed to lack his explosive pace yesterday and I think asking him to cover more distance is a likely cause. I like both Barks and NML but only as wide attacking players or possibly conventional wingers in a 4-4-2, not as wing backs.
5. We had a midfield three yesterday of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. That trio should be more than good enough to dominate most matches at L1 level. I felt yesterday that they were off it individually and as a trio. I also felt we didn't try to play enough football through them. They have quality, it is potentially our strong suit yet we play as though it isn't.
If we play with three in the middle I'd like to see Rooney given an opportunity to nail the DM role. He looks to be a fine prospect. Knight's energy plus whoever compliments the team best - or most in form - out of Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson and Sibley can take the remaining place (Smith looked excellent in his most recent appearance). 
6. At this level we should have enough ability to play four at the back and use the third CB body elsewhere. If this means Odurah, Smith or Chester at RB then so be it. 
7. Yesterday was the first time I've watched a match from the North Stand since circa 1997 (a 3-1 win versus Everton). You boys and girls in the South Stand looked great doing the bounce after the goal.
8. Osula doesn't look equipped to play up front as a sole striker.
 
COYR
 

That was fun yesterday. Two penalties conceded, a red card and a home defeat to the club who came up last season via the L2 playoffs. 
The performance of the ref and his assistants is the talk of the forum but my overall take is this.....
 
1. We didn't deserve to win the game and our performance should be of greater concern than that of the officials.
2. The key decisions - the two pens plus Collins' red - weren't awful decisions. Collins didn't aim for their player but he lashed out and if he's caught him then the ref is always likely to send him off.
3. Sibley was hauled down at the end but the ref gave it as a free kick to them rather than a penalty (or waving play on). As it happens, I'm pretty sure he blew before the corner had actually been taken so he got that incident doubly wrong.
4. Whatever the merits or otherwise are of having three CB's and playing with wingbacks, I'm already of the opinion that neither Barkhuizen or Mendez-Laing are suitable for the role. Festy or Byrne as RWB and Lowe or Buchanan as LWB yes, but I've spotted a problem with that.
NML seemed to lack his explosive pace yesterday and I think asking him to cover more distance is a likely cause. I like both Barks and NML but only as wide attacking players or possibly conventional wingers in a 4-4-2, not as wing backs.
5. We had a midfield three yesterday of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. That trio should be more than good enough to dominate most matches at L1 level. I felt yesterday that they were off it individually and as a trio. I also felt we didn't try to play enough football through them. They have quality, it is potentially our strong suit yet we play as though it isn't.
If we play with three in the middle I'd like to see Rooney given an opportunity to nail the DM role. He looks to be a fine prospect. Knight's energy plus whoever compliments the team best - or most in form - out of Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson and Sibley can take the remaining place (Smith looked excellent in his most recent appearance). 
6. At this level we should have enough ability to play four at the back and use the third CB body elsewhere. If this means Odurah, Smith or Chester at RB then so be it. 
7. Yesterday was the first time I've watched a match from the North Stand since circa 1997 (a 3-1 win versus Everton). You boys and girls in the South Stand looked great doing the bounce after the goal.
8. Osula doesn't look equipped to play up front as a sole striker.
 
COYR
 

That was fun yesterday. Two penalties conceded, a red card and a home defeat to the club who came up last season via the L2 playoffs. 
The performance of the ref and his assistants is the talk of the forum but my overall take is this.....
 
1. We didn't deserve to win the game and our performance should be of greater concern than that of the officials.
2. The key decisions - the two pens plus Collins' red - weren't awful decisions. Collins didn't aim for their player but he lashed out and if he's caught him then the ref is always likely to send him off.
3. Sibley was hauled down at the end but the ref gave it as a free kick to them rather than a penalty (or waving play on). As it happens, I'm pretty sure he blew before the corner had actually been taken so he got that incident doubly wrong.
4. Whatever the merits or otherwise are of having three CB's and playing with wingbacks, I'm already of the opinion that neither Barkhuizen or Mendez-Laing are suitable for the role. Festy or Byrne as RWB and Lowe or Buchanan as LWB yes, but I've spotted a problem with that.
NML seemed to lack his explosive pace yesterday and I think asking him to cover more distance is a likely cause. I like both Barks and NML but only as wide attacking players or possibly conventional wingers in a 4-4-2, not as wing backs.
5. We had a midfield three yesterday of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. That trio should be more than good enough to dominate most matches at L1 level. I felt yesterday that they were off it individually and as a trio. I also felt we didn't try to play enough football through them. They have quality, it is potentially our strong suit yet we play as though it isn't.
If we play with three in the middle I'd like to see Rooney given an opportunity to nail the DM role. He looks to be a fine prospect. Knight's energy plus whoever compliments the team best - or most in form - out of Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson and Sibley can take the remaining place (Smith looked excellent in his most recent appearance). 
6. At this level we should have enough ability to play four at the back and use the third CB body elsewhere. If this means Odurah, Smith or Chester at RB then so be it. 
7. Yesterday was the first time I've watched a match from the North Stand since circa 1997 (a 3-1 win versus Everton). You boys and girls in the South Stand looked great doing the bounce after the goal.
8. Osula doesn't look equipped to play up front as a sole striker.
 
COYR
 

That was fun yesterday. Two penalties conceded, a red card and a home defeat to the club who came up last season via the L2 playoffs. 
The performance of the ref and his assistants is the talk of the forum but my overall take is this.....
 
1. We didn't deserve to win the game and our performance should be of greater concern than that of the officials.
2. The key decisions - the two pens plus Collins' red - weren't awful decisions. Collins didn't aim for their player but he lashed out and if he's caught him then the ref is always likely to send him off.
3. Sibley was hauled down at the end but the ref gave it as a free kick to them rather than a penalty (or waving play on). As it happens, I'm pretty sure he blew before the corner had actually been taken so he got that incident doubly wrong.
4. Whatever the merits or otherwise are of having three CB's and playing with wingbacks, I'm already of the opinion that neither Barkhuizen or Mendez-Laing are suitable for the role. Festy or Byrne as RWB and Lowe or Buchanan as LWB yes, but I've spotted a problem with that.
NML seemed to lack his explosive pace yesterday and I think asking him to cover more distance is a likely cause. I like both Barks and NML but only as wide attacking players or possibly conventional wingers in a 4-4-2, not as wing backs.
5. We had a midfield three yesterday of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. That trio should be more than good enough to dominate most matches at L1 level. I felt yesterday that they were off it individually and as a trio. I also felt we didn't try to play enough football through them. They have quality, it is potentially our strong suit yet we play as though it isn't.
If we play with three in the middle I'd like to see Rooney given an opportunity to nail the DM role. He looks to be a fine prospect. Knight's energy plus whoever compliments the team best - or most in form - out of Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson and Sibley can take the remaining place (Smith looked excellent in his most recent appearance). 
6. At this level we should have enough ability to play four at the back and use the third CB body elsewhere. If this means Odurah, Smith or Chester at RB then so be it. 
7. Yesterday was the first time I've watched a match from the North Stand since circa 1997 (a 3-1 win versus Everton). You boys and girls in the South Stand looked great doing the bounce after the goal.
8. Osula doesn't look equipped to play up front as a sole striker.
 
COYR
 

That was fun yesterday. Two penalties conceded, a red card and a home defeat to the club who came up last season via the L2 playoffs. 
The performance of the ref and his assistants is the talk of the forum but my overall take is this.....
 
1. We didn't deserve to win the game and our performance should be of greater concern than that of the officials.
2. The key decisions - the two pens plus Collins' red - weren't awful decisions. Collins didn't aim for their player but he lashed out and if he's caught him then the ref is always likely to send him off.
3. Sibley was hauled down at the end but the ref gave it as a free kick to them rather than a penalty (or waving play on). As it happens, I'm pretty sure he blew before the corner had actually been taken so he got that incident doubly wrong.
4. Whatever the merits or otherwise are of having three CB's and playing with wingbacks, I'm already of the opinion that neither Barkhuizen or Mendez-Laing are suitable for the role. Festy or Byrne as RWB and Lowe or Buchanan as LWB yes, but I've spotted a problem with that.
NML seemed to lack his explosive pace yesterday and I think asking him to cover more distance is a likely cause. I like both Barks and NML but only as wide attacking players or possibly conventional wingers in a 4-4-2, not as wing backs.
5. We had a midfield three yesterday of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. That trio should be more than good enough to dominate most matches at L1 level. I felt yesterday that they were off it individually and as a trio. I also felt we didn't try to play enough football through them. They have quality, it is potentially our strong suit yet we play as though it isn't.
If we play with three in the middle I'd like to see Rooney given an opportunity to nail the DM role. He looks to be a fine prospect. Knight's energy plus whoever compliments the team best - or most in form - out of Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson and Sibley can take the remaining place (Smith looked excellent in his most recent appearance). 
6. At this level we should have enough ability to play four at the back and use the third CB body elsewhere. If this means Odurah, Smith or Chester at RB then so be it. 
7. Yesterday was the first time I've watched a match from the North Stand since circa 1997 (a 3-1 win versus Everton). You boys and girls in the South Stand looked great doing the bounce after the goal.
8. Osula doesn't look equipped to play up front as a sole striker.
 
COYR
 

That was fun yesterday. Two penalties conceded, a red card and a home defeat to the club who came up last season via the L2 playoffs. 
The performance of the ref and his assistants is the talk of the forum but my overall take is this.....
 
1. We didn't deserve to win the game and our performance should be of greater concern than that of the officials.
2. The key decisions - the two pens plus Collins' red - weren't awful decisions. Collins didn't aim for their player but he lashed out and if he's caught him then the ref is always likely to send him off.
3. Sibley was hauled down at the end but the ref gave it as a free kick to them rather than a penalty (or waving play on). As it happens, I'm pretty sure he blew before the corner had actually been taken so he got that incident doubly wrong.
4. Whatever the merits or otherwise are of having three CB's and playing with wingbacks, I'm already of the opinion that neither Barkhuizen or Mendez-Laing are suitable for the role. Festy or Byrne as RWB and Lowe or Buchanan as LWB yes, but I've spotted a problem with that.
NML seemed to lack his explosive pace yesterday and I think asking him to cover more distance is a likely cause. I like both Barks and NML but only as wide attacking players or possibly conventional wingers in a 4-4-2, not as wing backs.
5. We had a midfield three yesterday of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. That trio should be more than good enough to dominate most matches at L1 level. I felt yesterday that they were off it individually and as a trio. I also felt we didn't try to play enough football through them. They have quality, it is potentially our strong suit yet we play as though it isn't.
If we play with three in the middle I'd like to see Rooney given an opportunity to nail the DM role. He looks to be a fine prospect. Knight's energy plus whoever compliments the team best - or most in form - out of Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson and Sibley can take the remaining place (Smith looked excellent in his most recent appearance). 
6. At this level we should have enough ability to play four at the back and use the third CB body elsewhere. If this means Odurah, Smith or Chester at RB then so be it. 
7. Yesterday was the first time I've watched a match from the North Stand since circa 1997 (a 3-1 win versus Everton). You boys and girls in the South Stand looked great doing the bounce after the goal.
8. Osula doesn't look equipped to play up front as a sole striker.
 
COYR
 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Wildsmith         8
Cashin            7.5
Davies             7
Chester          7.5
Hourihane       7
Knight            7.5
Mendez-Laing   6
Bird ?           7
Dobbin           6
Collins            8
Barkhuizen      6.5
Sibley           6
Osula            6.5
Forsyth        6

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

Thank you Rojo. Once the stories emerged linking Warne with us I went on one of the RUFC forums and it was immediately apparent how loved he is by Millers' fans.
We should feel flattered that he has decided to leave a club he clearly has immense affection for to drop down a division. He has done so with Rotherham sitting in eighth place too. 

If you read the first Rotherham forum which crops up on google then you can get an idea of what Warne is like.
Once the initial shock wears off at reading a fans forum with considered opinions, a lack of hysteria and absence of a (mostly unjustified) constant hatred of Derby the cheats, you can see how respected he is by Millers' fans. That should tell us a great deal. 

If you read the first Rotherham forum which crops up on google then you can get an idea of what Warne is like.
Once the initial shock wears off at reading a fans forum with considered opinions, a lack of hysteria and absence of a (mostly unjustified) constant hatred of Derby the cheats, you can see how respected he is by Millers' fans. That should tell us a great deal. 

Watching Carlisle in the Papa Johns and Stretton started. He has really struggled to get involved and has probably had fewer than 15 touches/involvements (80 mins gone). 
Callum Guy looks decent and is clearly carving out a decent career at L2/L1 level.

Another blank weekend ffs.
It's league one at home to Cheltenham. Just play the damn match.

Wildsmith      6   
Knight           4.5
Roberts         6.5
Cashin           6
Davies           5
Dobbin          5
McGoldrick     5
Sibley           5
Hourihane        4.5
Mendez-Laing     6.5
Bird ?           4.5
Collins            5
Barkhuizen      4.5
Osula             6
 

Poor. Very poor.
Bird and Hourihane shouldn't be in the same team together. Smith offers more in the same position.
Knight needs to be played further forward with Oduroh at RB. 
Hard to judge Collins as a goalscorer when we create so little but he's clearly a level beneath Kazim and just looks cumbersome and clumsy.

Knight and Smith would be a better option in the middle of the field than Bird and Hourihane imo. 

Knight and Smith would be a better option in the middle of the field than Bird and Hourihane imo.