Internet Millers vs Rotherham Athletic Preview

Match: Vs Rotherham Athletic

Date: 28/08/2004

Meet: 10:30am Herringthorpe Playing fields changing rooms

Kick Off: 11am

Location: Herringthorpe playing fields (will probably have pick of pitch)

Surface: Grass, slightly boggy so should take a good stud.

Kit: Home Kit – Red IMFC Shirt, White IMFC Shorts, Red IMFC Socks

SQUAD

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1. Jebu

2. Mark

3. John2

4. Denti

5. Symon

6. Shark

7. Steve R

8. Dan

9. Gav

10. Dave

11. Copey

12. Bash

13. Andy P (possibly late turning up)

14. Aggie

Comments on Opposition

The Internet Millers have faced Rotherham Athletic on 3 separate occasions. The Millers have come out on top all 3 times in increasingly difficult games as the South Yorkshire Saturday Amateur side have continued to get more organised.

The first meeting on the 16^th August 2003 saw the millers romp to a 7-0 victory down at herringthorpe playing fields. The second game saw the Millers run out 5-1 winners on the 7^th February 2004 with some late goals inflating the score in the Millers favour. Finally the millers faced Rotherham Athletic in our build up to Worldnet 2004 on the 4^th July 2004 one late Sunday evening at Aurora. The score ended 4-2 where the Millers missed a number of chances against an ever improving Roth Athletic side but goals from Burns (2), Jebu and Chris Grist saw the Millers home.

Rotherham Athletic are a good set of lads that have joined a strong division for the upcoming season. It should be a good workout for both us and themselves and hopefully the Millers can keep their good run going against the Rotherham outfit.

Squad Comments

Defensively this is one of the strongest squads the IM have put out over the past few months. Shark will be looking to keep up his good form in the net and will be pushing for a clean sheet. Denti returns from illness, Aggie returns from injury, Copey returns from a wedding to join Dave and Mark in defence. However, Paul El is still missing being on holiday and Duds misses his first IM game for a while through work.

In midfield the Internet Millers are bolstered with the return of Gav who hopefully will be playing a large part in the upcoming seasons games. Gav has been an age old servant for IM but missed the majority of last season through being at university, he adds great strength to a wing back position, in the hole or in the centre of midfield.

Steve R will be available to play in the middle of the park and with a host of defenders anchor man Dan will be once again open to play in his preferred midfield role. John2 has impressed in recent games with an higher level of aggression and composure and could be pushing for a start in this friendly. Andy Parker is the natural left wing back choice but may be late for the game, one of the defenders may have to occupy this role for a while in the first half if Andy does not arrive in time. Bash will be looking to up his match fitness levels and have a longer run out in the middle of the park.

However, the midfield is missing both Elliot brothers Jammer and Gaz whose strength and power will be missed. Jonny will also not be available to provide a strong option in a defensive and wing back role, congratulations on your GCSE results Jonny!

Up front the choice is limited. The Internet Millers will be without last seasons leading goalscorer Burns for the game through a minor injury best rested. This will leave Jebu to occupy his usual forward role looking to add to his brace from last week. After notching an hatrick last week the other available striker Symon will partner Jebu up front in a great chance to show his skills and keep on improving his general all round play.

Overall the squad is missing a few key players but once again the strength in depth means the IM can field an extremely competitive side.

Pre Match Comments

This will be a good chance to keep ourselves fit and ticking over. It would be a shame to throw away our run of consecutive wins by being sloppy and we should not underestimate Rotherham Ahtletic despite our unbeaten form against them. They are side that are continually improving and in certain positions possess a lot of quality.

No doubt the Millers will miss Burnsy up front but Jebu is in good form at the moment and Symon is playing his best football since joining the club so the IM should be looking to bag a few goals. In defence there is strength all around for a 352 or a 442 and both options may be explored throughout.

A full review of the game will be posted early next week.

Jebu out….