Time to stand 'United'
In Lee Williamson, in my eyes we've seen a player who has always given his all in a Rotherham jersey and having gained a vast amount of experience for 24 years of age in the lower leagues, deserves his chance at the top with this move coming at the right time in his career.
Will Hoskins you might say has flown the nest, biting at the hand that once fed and leaving a sour taste in the mouths of messers Coleman and Knill. There are however two sides to every story, while the contract wranglings unfold, agents reap rewards and the dust settles, I'd like to wish both players all the very best.
Will Hoskins you might say has flown the nest, biting at the hand that once fed and leaving a sour taste in the mouths of messers Coleman and Knill. There are however two sides to every story, while the contract wranglings unfold, agents reap rewards and the dust settles, I'd like to wish both players all the very best.
The deal is no doubt a safety net to our future over the remainder of the current season and into next, much speculation has surrounded the clauses in the contract, will we ever get to know the full details? Probably wishful thinking. There is little doubt in my mind though that Denis and the board have negotiated the best deal on the table for the departing pair and in 'Tiggy' Diouguarga look to have uncovered another shrewd bit of business, hats off to Knilly too.
'He's costing us nowt', is the first phrase on many fans lips, you might say that's typical Rotherham United, but this lad comes highly recommended. If he's half as good as Willo on his day then we may have a gem in the centre of the park until May.
'He's costing us nowt', is the first phrase on many fans lips, you might say that's typical Rotherham United, but this lad comes highly recommended. If he's half as good as Willo on his day then we may have a gem in the centre of the park until May.
The gaffer has assembled a squad of players with something to prove in Partridge, Facey, Woods and such like. Being realisitc these lads have dropped from a higher level, they want to get back there as quickly as possible. Knilly offered them the chance with a challenge, help us and help yourselves, with such a great start to the season it's a shame that we've dipped of late.
This week has been an ideal opportunity to assess things again, and I'm backing that Alan has had a chat with his squad and relayed the message from the start of the season.
Any prospective signings, Clarke or Duffy being a prime example, will be told the same thing I'm sure - give it your all and reap the rewards for both the team and on a personal level. Remember it's likely we are taking players on loan deals here if we go down the previous route, not several years worth of contracts.
Obvious to all Millers followers, we need fresh imputus up front. The question is, who's around to get the 10 or so goals to help maintain our League One status? I've touched on the loan market above and the likelyhood is that the gaffer will dip into this again as it's served him well over the past year, which has seen the likes of Stephen Quinn develop and break into the Sheffield United side this season. Knill's ever increasing reputation on the coaching aspect has helped to lure players with this calibre to Millmoor.
Personally, I think we may need to look lower down the spectrum too and I hope this isn't discounted, just as our neighbours from Hillsborough did with Grant Holt a couple of years ago. Players that have made that step up, the likes of DJ Campbell, may relish such an opportunity. This season I have been impressed with Matt Tubbs at Salisbury City, who turned in two decent displays against Forest in the FA Cup and has already hit double figures in the league, Clayton Donaldson has also been widely touted with a return to league action after a successful Conference campaign at York so far. These players are likely to command a fee from their clubs though, cash the Millers board may be reluctant to part with.
A positive is the blooding of our own youngsters, step forward Mark Newsham who may get his chance to partner Delroy Facey this weekend against Chesterfield. I am confident in this lad's ability, perhaps he just needs to bulk up a bit as we have seen Hoskins do this season. To some extent this can only come with playing first team games when he gets his opportunity.
The season so far has been packed with more than enough up's and downs, from the bad job's served up in the Paintbrush trophy at Hartlepool and in the league at Cheltenham, to strokes of genious against Crewe and down at Bournemouth! But what do we expect from an inconsistent young side?
Without doubt the major disappointment is the back four, sometimes not as individuals, but more as a defensive unit. No doubt the absence of Pablo Mills has been a major factor over the festive period and the sooner he gets back to full fitness the better. I defended Ian Sharps to the hilt early season as the pair did look the part, but a lack of confidence in his game has seen him shy away in games and he's always prone to a lapse in concentration, costing us crucial goals against Nottingham Forest, Oldham and Tranmere in recent weeks. Therefore, that captain's band on his left arm has meant nothing as we lack a natural no nonsence leader at the heart of our defence. Together with Pablo, Sharps looks much more confident in his game - without him, a tad lost.
Without doubt the major disappointment is the back four, sometimes not as individuals, but more as a defensive unit. No doubt the absence of Pablo Mills has been a major factor over the festive period and the sooner he gets back to full fitness the better. I defended Ian Sharps to the hilt early season as the pair did look the part, but a lack of confidence in his game has seen him shy away in games and he's always prone to a lapse in concentration, costing us crucial goals against Nottingham Forest, Oldham and Tranmere in recent weeks. Therefore, that captain's band on his left arm has meant nothing as we lack a natural no nonsence leader at the heart of our defence. Together with Pablo, Sharps looks much more confident in his game - without him, a tad lost.
Main plus points include Martin Woods, this lad received what can only be descirbed as pelters early season but has come on leaps and bounds. Knilly no doubt saw the footballing talent in this lad, he does seem to have a mature head on his shoulders for 20 and isn't frightened to come infield and take the game by the scruff of the neck, something we'll need more of in Williamson's absence.
Also Stephen Brogan could make a position in the side his own despite the improving Gregor Robertson, who unluckily lost his place due to injury. At 18 Steve is the pick of the crop in the youth department for me, with a really successful career at his feet.
Also Stephen Brogan could make a position in the side his own despite the improving Gregor Robertson, who unluckily lost his place due to injury. At 18 Steve is the pick of the crop in the youth department for me, with a really successful career at his feet.
So what does the future hold? The main issue is clear for me and that's Rotherham Council and the issue regarding a development or relocation of the ground. Barriers need to be broken down for Rotherham United to progress and stop a cycle of spinning round the lower league ladder in the next decade. We have a bright up and coming manager, a board with genuine passion for the job and business practice and a good crop of young players to compliment our youth set up.
As I've grown up I've seen football become much more than a sport, the business aspect has to compliment positive effort on the pitch, more so than ever at Rotherham.
Lets hope the new year brings a sound financial footing and preservation of League One status, after all, we're Rotherham 'United' - lets keep it that way.