I was thinking of going

Aldershot 2-2 Notts County
Wealdstone 3-1 Altrincham

but we aren't doing them I assume, or am I being blind and missing the obvious as usual!

Do you think that TV channels should dispense with the canned crowd noise?

I think it is repetitive and impossible to get right. In other words, it's damned annoying.

Town move quickly on from a disappointing collapse midweek against Bristol City, to welcome Luton Town to the John Smiths Stadium.

Its not that long ago we welcomed then to West Yorkshire, it was back in July when both sides were needing to pick up points for survival. Luton ran out 2-0 winners that day, but both teams managed to retain their places in the Championship. Luton finished one place below Town on goal difference.

Luton have been much like town have this season, won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4, whereas town have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 5, with Luton proving very capable away from home, like many teams have so far without the crowds. They began the season with a fine 3-1 win over Norwich in the league cup, James Collins hitting a hattrick, remarkably all the goals came in the last 10 minutes of the game, they began the league campaign on the road in Yorkshire against the reds of Barnsley, another relatively late Collins goal was enough to see them take the 3 points. It was then another win on the road in the cup, this time 1-0 against Reading, before heading back to Kennilworth road to face Derby County, Luke Berry gave them the lead before Jack Marriot levelled for the rams, only for Jordan Clarke to bag his second of the week just before injury time in the second half.  Their cup run came to an abrupt end at home to Manchester United, losing 3-0 before going down 1-0 away at Watford.

They began October with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Wycombe, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliott Lee scoring in the second half, they however lost the next home game a week later to Stoke where goals from Steven Fletcher and Nick Powell were enough to see off the hosts. 2-0 was the score again, this time away at Millwall as a Martin Cranie own goal and a Connor Mahoney strike condemned the hatters to a second straight defeat. They returned to Yorkshire and to winning ways again as Mpanzu punished 10 man Sheffield Wednesday before heading back to Luton to face Nottingham Forest, Glen Rea scored in the same goal twice, unfortunately one was an own goal, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against the 10 man reds. They finished October off with a 3-0 drumming at home to the hands (or feet) of Brentford, highly rated full back Rico Henry and Ivan Toney bagged in the first half, before sub Marcus Forss scored in the second half to round off the tie.

They returned back to Yorkshire this week to face Rotherham before heading over to proper Yorkshire to face us. They left New York with 3 points thanks to a James Collins goal, which leaves the hatters in 9th position. Instead of heading back south and heading up again, they have remained in their bubble up north and have been training at Liversedges ground in the build up to Saturdays match.



Whats new at Kennilworth Road?

The side are still managed by Nathan Jones who returned to the club after an ill fated spell at Stoke. He was in charge of the Potters when Town picked up their first three points on the road down at the bet365/Britannia Stadium. He returned to Luton after Graeme Jones was relieved of his duties.



In terms of additions to the squad over the summer they added defender Tom Lockyer, the 25 year old joined from recently relegated Charlton for an undisclosed fee. They also signed Rhys Norrington-Davies on loan from Sheffield United, James Bree turned his loan move from Aston Vanilla permanent after being let go. Also joining from another premier league side was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the midfielder signed on loan from Leicester City, fellow midfielder Joe Morrell made the move from Bristol City whilst the Hatters raided league one for the signings of Jordan Clarke from Accrington and Samuel Nombe from Mk Dons on loan with an option to buy.



Leaving the club Lloyd Jones was released alongside Callum McManaman and Jacob Butterfield, both of whom have signed darn unda for Melbourne Victory. Peter Kioso and Andrew Shinnie both left on loan to Bolton and Charlton respectively, with Frankie Musonda ended his 6 year stay with the club to join Raith Rovers in Scotland. Striker Jake Jervis went a bit further North as he joined finish side SJK. Goalkeeper Marek Stech moved slightly less north to League two strugglers Mansfield Town and former West Brom defender Donervon Daniels made the move to league one new boys Crewe Alexandra.

Team news

After missing the game on tuesday through illness, Juninho Bacuna is likely to return to the squad in some capacity, Alex Vallejo played his first 30 minutes in a town shirt and of this year for the B team this week against Grimsby, it is unlikely he will be in the squad, but he does exist. Danny Ward may get a guest appearance on the bench having rejoined training this week. Kieran Phillips may be a surprise inclusion on the bench having bagged a brace for the B team this week to add to his hattrick the last. Tommy Elphick remains a long term absentee, whilst Alex Pritchard is back to the place he knows best for a few weeks. Otherwise it is as you were in regards to players available for selection, unless CC states otherwise later today.

As for Luton, they rotated their squad last time out with Harry Cornick returning from injury, with Joe Morrell, George Moncur and Ryan Tunnicliffe all making their first and second starts of the campaign. Former Barnsley boy James Bree returned to the subs, so it seems like they may rotate again to a full strength side. Rhys Norrington-Davies is struggling with a hamstring injury so may miss out. Dan Potts, Brendan Galloway and Eunan O'kane are all still out injured.

Manager talk

"Pritchard has had a scan on his ankle and he will miss around three weeks. That’s disappointing, as you could see he was growing in performance every week.”

“Danny Ward has joined the squad this week. He is not making the same minutes as the other players (so far), but we will give him a proper test today and it is one possibility that he can be involved on Saturday. Danny would not play 90 minutes or be at his normal level, but that level of fitness and football should come over the next few weeks.”

“we will be calm with Vallejo, He hasn’t made the normal dynamic of a footballer over the last few months and we will take it in steps. We will be patient.”

“You need to know how to manage your feelings as a player. You come from a week where everyone is happy because of a win to a defeat so soon. When a team equalises against you, you can have doubts. That’s why you need to mature, which you learn through experience.”

“we’ve analysed the Bristol City game. When we have the ball and we’re in control, we need to create more distance by scoring the second goal. We can learn to manage some game situations better.”

“every game is a high challenge and, this year, you will not enter each game in perfect condition. Consistency is very hard to get in this division. All we focus on is performing better than the next opponent for the 90 minutes.”

“Luton have shown that they deserve to be in the Championship. They have very good players, like Collins and Cornick, and I respect them a lot. They’ve only lost 6 games out of 22 under their manager, and I expect a real war.”

“Eiting didn’t train before the Millwall game after getting a kick at Birmingham. Against Bristol, they played with two midfielders and that was ok for Hogg and O’Brien. Eiting is available and in our minds. He’s still adapting to the competition.”

“Phillips is a player who has had a lot of injuries in the past and we’re managing him carefully. We know he can score goals at Academy level. He’s trained with the First Team constantly in the last three weeks and has shown the right levels.”

“after 10 games, we are a team that wants to have control of the ball and create chances. That might not be for the full 90 minutes, but you can see the identity. We still want to improve and continue growing every day and in every game.”

Head to Head

Its not really a happy result for Town when it comes to facing Luton, but I'm sure if we took it to the Supreme Court we could sort that out... Games won: 9 Games drawn: 3 Games lost: 12. The last time Town won a fixture against the Hatters was back on the 3rd of May 2008, a goal from Phillip Jevons was enough to settle that fixture for then caretaker manager Gerry Murphy who was in charge ahead of Stan the Man taking over. Town actually did the double over the hatters that season, with goals from super rapid Luke Beckett and super injury prone Danny Cadamarteri seeing town to a 2-0 victory.

Last season the Hatters repaid the favour with a 2-1 win at Kennilworth road, a game which saw Mark Hudson in charge for the final time before Danny Cowley took over and where Rajiv Van La Parra 'played' for a bit before being taken off and seemingly sold mid game. Town were originally winning 1-0 thanks to a deflected Karlan Grant effort, but goals from James Collins and Andrew Shinnie kept town level on points with bottom placed stoke. In the return fixture, both sides were still in a relegation dog fight, and whilst Town started brightly, they failed to have a shot on target after the 35th minute but goals from Sonny Bradley and Elliott Lee saw them run out 2-0 winners and take a huge step towards safety.



Ones to Watch

James Collins- Just been called up to the ROI squad, the striker has a knack of scoring and leads the charts for the hatters with 5 so far this season. The all action striker doesnt leave defenders alone for long and will rat away to cause any errors.



Sonny Bradley- Big Centre Half that runs the back line well alongside former Halifax player Matty Pearson. Bradley scored last time the two sides met and isnt hard to miss. Will be sure to eat up any high balls that we try to send down field.



Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu- All action midfielder in similar ilk to Hogg and O'brien, was a bit of a unit when Luton were back down the leagues and not much has changed, chips in with goals and assists but breaks up play in front of the back four just as well.



played for both anagrams

1) Rat In A Mincer
2) I Bend Badly
3) Bodes To Jeer Foe
4) I Wish On A Bra
5) Objected Fruit Lab
6) Navel Ink Gel
7) I Rock Jeans

v

LAST TIME OUT

Rotherham United 0 Luton Town 1



Reading 0 Preston North End 3



LAST MEETING 1/1/2019

Rotherham 2 PNE 1

After a stunning back to the way performance against Villa a couple of days earlier in a way this was a predictable defeat with the heavily depleted side that we had, New Year's Day in Rotherham wonderful.

First time we played in Rotehrham was October 1961 at teh old Millmoor ground ended 2 all, last time we won there in November 2016 McGeady gave the runaround to their hapless right back the guy was woeful that day so woeful in fact we bought him, his name is Darnell Fisher and he's f**king dynamite apparently so the song goes.

FORM RATING MAX 25

Rotherham 5 PNE 15

ROTHERHAM NEWBIES

Barlaser is rhe only one they have paid a fee for, brought in the unlucky MacDonald fom Hull who has had many serious health ssues which he has courageously overcome only to I believe now break his leg.
Blackman on loan from Chelsea in goal

Rotherham United Football Club, nicknamed The Millers,[1] is a professional association football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The team compete in the EFL Championship, the second tier of the English football league system, following their promotion from League One in the 2019–20 season.

Founded in 1925 as a merger between Rotherham County (1877)[2] and Rotherham Town (1899), the club's colours were initially yellow and black, but changed to the red and white around 1930.[3] Rotherham United play their home games at New York Stadium, a 12,021 capacity all-seater stadium, having previously played since its foundation at Millmoor for 101 years. Joining the Football League back in 1925, Rotherham spent the first 25 years of their time in the Third Division North, the lowest level of the Football League, finally gaining promotion to the Second Division at the end of the 1950–51 season.[4]

The Millers featured in the inaugural League Cup final in 1961,[5] won the 1996 Football League Trophy and the 1946 Football League North Cup. They also achieved two separate back to back promotions in 1999–2001 under Ronnie Moore and 2012–2014 under Steve Evans.

The club's roots go back to 1877, when the club was formed as Thornhill Football Club (later Thornhill United).[2] George Cook was the trainer around this time. For many years the leading team in the area was Rotherham Town, who spent three seasons in the Football League while Thornhill United were still playing in the Sheffield & Hallamshire League. By the turn of the century, however, Town had resigned from the Football League and gone out of business; a new club of the same name later joined the Midland League.[2] Meanwhile, Thornhill's fortunes were on the rise to the extent that in 1905 they laid claim to being the pre-eminent club in the town and changed their name to Rotherham County. For a period both clubs competed in the Midland League, finishing first and second in 1911–12. Rotherham County became members of the second division of the Football league in 1919 whilst Rotherham Town failed to become elected to the third division northern section the following year. By 1925 County's fortunes had declined and they had to seek re-election to the third division. By this time it had become clear that to have two professional clubs in the town was not sustainable. Talks had begun in February 1925 and in early May the two clubs merged to form Rotherham United. Days later the reformed club was formally re-elected to the Football League under its new name.

The red and white kit was adopted around 1930 after playing in amber and black, but there was no improvement in the club's fortunes: in 1931 they again had to apply for re-election. Immediately after the Second World War things looked up. The Millers won the only post-war edition of the Football League Third Division North Cup in 1946 beating Chester 5–4 on aggregate. They then finished as runners-up three time in succession between 1947 and 1949 and then were champions of Division Three (North) in 1951. Rotherham reached their highest ever league position of third in the Football League Second Division in 1955, when only goal average denied them a place in the top flight after they finished level on points with champions Birmingham City and runners-up Luton Town. During that season they had notable results including a 6–1 win over Liverpool. In 1961 the Millers beat Aston Villa 2–0 at Millmoor in the inaugural League Cup final first leg; they lost the second leg 3–0 however at Villa Park. The second leg was played the season after due to Villa having a 'Congested Fixture List'. The club held on to its place in Division Two until 1968 and then went into a decline that took them down to Division Four in 1973. In 1975 they were promoted back to the Third Division finishing in the 3rd promotion spot in the Fourth Division. The Millers won the Division Three title in the 1980-81 season, and missed out on a second consecutive promotion by four points, finishing seventh In the second tier (then Division 2) 1981-82. They have not finished this high since.[6] This season saw Rotherham accomplish a league double, beating Chelsea 6-0 at home (31 October 1981) and 4-1 away at Stamford Bridge (20 March 1982).[7]

During the 1990s Rotherham were promoted and relegated between the Football League's lowest two divisions and they slipped into the Fourth Division in 1991, just two years after being promoted, but reclaimed their status in the third tier (renamed Division Two for the 1992–93 season due to the launch of the FA Premier League) by finishing third in the Fourth Division in 1992. They survived at this level for five years, never looking like promotion contenders, before being relegated in 1997. In 1996 Rotherham United made their first trip to Wembley, beating Shrewsbury 2–1 to win the Football League Trophy, with two goals from Nigel Jemson giving Rotherham the win, with over 20,000 Rotherham United fans following them. In 1997, just after relegation to Division Three, Ronnie Moore took charge of Rotherham United. His first season ended in a mid-table finish and then his second in a play-off semi-final defeat on penalties to Leyton Orient. In 1999–2000 as Rotherham finished as Division Three runners-up and gained promotion to Division Two, where they finished runners-up and won a second successive promotion.


Chart of historic table positions of Rotherham United in the League.
Rotherham managed to remain in Division One for four seasons, and after relegation to League One in 2005, Mick Harford took over as the Millers' manager, but was sacked after a run of 17 games without a win. Harford was replaced by youth team coach, Alan Knill. Early in 2006 it was announced that the club faced an uncertain future unless a funding gap in the region of £140,000 per month could be plugged. An intervention at the latest possible time by a consortium of local businessmen kept them in business.[8] The final match of the 2005–06 season, home to Milton Keynes Dons, was a winner-take-all relegation showdown where a scoreless draw kept Rotherham up. Rotherham United began their second successive year in League One with a 10-point deficit as a result of the CVA which saved the club from liquidation. The club initially pulled the points back but, after losing key playmaker Lee Williamson and star striker Will Hoskins in the January transfer window, the Millers sat 13 points adrift of safety, making the threat of relegation inevitable. This resulted in Knill being sacked on 1 March, with Mark Robins becoming caretaker manager.

Robins's position was made permanent on 6 April 2007,[9] but he was not able to save Rotherham from relegation. The Millers spent the majority of the 2007–08 season in the automatic promotion places but in mid-March 2008 it was revealed that Rotherham had again entered administration and would be deducted 10 points. Local businessman Tony Stewart then took over as chairman for the 2008–09 season and took the club out of administration via a Creditors Voluntary Agreement, resulting in a 17-point deduction.[10] The Millers were subsequently forced to leave Millmoor, their home of over 100 years, for the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, after disputes with the landlords.[11] The Millers had a successful season under the new regime, wiping out the point deficit and being in contention for a play-off place. Rotherham were also involved in two cup runs, reaching the Football League Trophy Northern Final and the League Cup last 16. This included victories over higher league opposition in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City and Leeds United.

Mark Robins kept the majority of the team together from the 2008–09 campaign, whilst bolstering his squad with high calibre signings in the form of Nicky Law and the prolific goalscorer Adam le Fondre. The 2009–10 season started well until Mark Robins controversially departed to rivals Barnsley in September, leaving the Millers at the top of the league. Former manager Ronnie Moore replaced him and led the club to their first ever play-off final and first trip to the new Wembley Stadium, where they lost 3–2 loss. In March 2011, following poor form he left Rotherham by mutual consent, and Andy Scott replaced him until he was sacked in March 2012. Steve Evans succeeded him, in the first season at the New York Stadium, and won promotion by finishing second in League Two. In the 2013–14 League One season, Rotherham gained a place in the League One play-offs, where they defeated Preston North End in the semi-finals to set up a second play-off final at Wembley Stadium in four years.[12] In the final against Leyton Orient, the game went to a penalty shoot-out, where two saves from Adam Collin secured a second successive promotion for the club.[13]

In the 2014–15 Championship season, Rotherham's first after a nine-year absence, their survival was jeopardised by a points deduction for fielding the ineligible Farrend Rawson during their home win against Brighton & Hove Albion,[14] Farrend Rawson's loan had expired two days prior to the match, and despite the club insisting it was an external administrative error, they were subsequently thrown back into a relegation battle with Wigan Athletic and Millwall.[15] but safety was secured in the penultimate game of the season, a 2–1 home victory against Reading.[16] Rotherham sold key players from their promotion winning campaigns before the 2015–16 season, including Ben Pringle, Craig Morgan and Kari Arnason. Evans left the club in September[17] and former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn was appointed as his replacement,[18] being sacked in February 2016 after a run of six defeats in eight games.[19] Neil Warnock was appointed as manager for the rest of the season,[20] and the club stayed up, finishing 21st. Warnock left the club in May 2016 after not agreeing a contract extension.[21] Alan Stubbs became the new Rotherham boss in June 2016,[22] His first win came on 20 August 2016, with Danny Ward scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over Brentford.[23] but was sacked in October.[24][25] Rotherham replaced Stubbs with Kenny Jackett,[26] who himself was replaced with Paul Warne, as Rotherham finished the season bottom of the league and were relegated to League One.[27] At the first attempt, Rotherham returned to the Championship, defeating Shrewsbury in the play-off final.[28]


New York Stadium
The club's traditional home was Millmoor in Rotherham where the team played from 1907 to 2008. On one side of the ground is the site of the new Main Stand which remains unfinished. It was hoped that the 4,500 capacity stand which is single tiered, all seated and covered, would be completed sometime during the 2006–07 season, but this had not come to fruition by the time the ground became disused in 2008. On the other side of the ground is the Millmoor Lane Stand, which has a mixture of covered and open seating. Roughly each section on this side is about a third of the length of the pitch. The covered seating in the middle of this stand looks quite distinctive, with several supporting pillars and an arched roof. Both ends are former terraces, with several supporting pillars and have now been made all seated. The larger of the two is the Tivoli End, which was used by home fans. It was noticeable that the pitch slopes up towards this end. The ground also benefits from a striking set of floodlights, the pylons of which are some of the tallest in the country at approximately 124 feet high. Following the failure of the owners of the club and the owners of Millmoor to reach a lease agreement the club left for the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield in 2008.[29]

Whilst a new purpose-built community stadium was being built in Rotherham, the club relocated to the Don Valley Stadium in nearby Sheffield for four seasons from 2008–09 to 2011–12.

In January 2010 the club announced that their new stadium, later named the AESSEAL New York Stadium, would be built on the former Guest and Chrimes foundry site in Rotherham town centre.[30] Preparation work on the site began in February 2010 to make way for the foundations to be put in place and for the old factory to be knocked down to make way for the stadium. Construction started in June 2011 and the first game played at the stadium was a pre-season match between Rotherham and Barnsley, held on 21 July 2012.[31] The Millers won 2–1; the first goal in the stadium was scored by Jacob Mellis of Barnsley, and David Noble scored Rotherham's first goal in their new home.[31] The New York Stadium made its league debut on 18 August 2012, in which Rotherham beat Burton Albion 3–0,[32] Daniel Nardiello scoring the first competitive goal in the ground.[33]


FAMOUS ROTHERHAM PERSON

Ebenezer Elliott (17 March 1781 – 1 December 1849) was an English poet, known as the Corn Law rhymer for his leading the fight to repeal the Corn Laws which were causing hardship and starvation among the poor. Though a factory owner himself, his single-minded devotion to the welfare of the labouring classes won him a sympathetic reputation long after his poetry ceased to be read.
Lockdown and the fact Elliott is dead mean he won't be at the game



MACS VIEW

Certainty as we are away and sweeping all before us, far from it tough game in South Yorkshire at one of those grounds with teh steepest terraces in the Football League not easy to navigate when your eyesight isn't what it used to be.
Warne's sides are usually competitive took four points from us the season before last. They will probably struggle t survive this season but seem to be better equipped than last time round.
More of the same fr us cannot see many changes, good to give the players a bit of a break and figure out how to reverse the dismal home form

Celtic really "shown up" tonight v a decent energetic young Sparta side that should not be better than them and were bottom of their Euro group. I personally thought Lennon set up his team formation wrongly tonight and should've matched up to their 3-5-2 formation - a huge mistake IMO! Magregor had a nightmare and definitely culpable for the loss of the 1st two goals. To think he will travel to Belgrade with the Scotland squad for a crucial Euro play-off next week! IMO he shouldn't start based on that poor display although Scotland's defence is a bit more durable than seen at Celtic Park. I think Celtic should actually "chuck" the Euro matches as it becomes clear that this depleted player squad can't handle such a challenging fixture list. Otherwise I think Neil Lennon could well "get his jotters" if he doesn't sort out the record home failures at Celtic Park although, in his defence, Celtic's domestic record in Scot footie is much better but it is a lower standard of footie, no doubt.

It's getting very. Sombre on here - 
Lighten up boys & girls
Let's see your cartoons

1. Scooby Doo
2. Tom and Jerry
3. Popeye

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/ke...ng-tribute

I briefly mentioned Kevin Nisbet's family loss in the summary of last week's Scot Cup semi-final but this touching tribute to his dad really explains the sad position he was in during the days leading up to that important match. IMO watching footie and for him, kicking a football, are important up to a certain point but that effectively ends and "disappears in the mist" when life and death situations arise for family members and friends. What a terrible tragedy and huge loss for such a young lad. Life can indeed be cruel on occasions and I'm sure many members on this Sb board, incl myself, have suffered such heartbreaking losses that we can grieve about and try to overcome for a period in our own particular ways and eventually "push on" regardless. I wish him well for the future.

THE MATCH

SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 3:00PM

v

LAST MATCH



Well in typical Wednesday fashion, we defied the odds and beat Bournemouth, after we couldn't beat Luton, Rotherham & Wycombe     It was the usual first half, half a dozen shot and zero on target while Wildsmith had only 1 shot to save. Onto the second and
Bournemouth started off with more purpose but couldn't find a breakthrough while we struck the woodwork. The game was decided when Windass was fouled in the box, Cook was sent off and Bannan put the spot kick away. We managed to hold on against the ten men for our first win after 4 straight defeats

THE MATCH



Millwall up next as we actually look for back to back wins. The Lions have had a decent start to the season and lie in 7th place. Rowett manages them now and will be looking to get them in the playoffs. They don't concede many so it will probably be a game of few chances and not many goals, our kind of game!

CURRENT FORM

OWLS               -                

MILL                 -                             

THE BASTARD IN THE BLACK

TONY HARRINGTON
Robert Merchant and Matthew Jones
Fourth Official : Akil Howson

THE TEAM

Headless chickens most of them. No Harris which will delight Imre

Wildsmith
Lees Iorfa Borner
Palmer Bannan Brown Reach
Windass
Marriott Paterson

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

1-2 Paterson

BML STANDINGS

Owlkev 3
Washington 2
Maddix 2
Wereham 1
Stateside 1

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Birmingham City v AFC Bournemouth
Blackburn Rovers v Queens Park Rangers
Brentford v Middlesbrough
Derby County v Barnsley
Huddersfield Town v Luton Town

AHHDD

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC





One for Washington

An awful lot of gossip all over the media and other forums suggesting he is being lined up as Bilic's replacement? 
He's free, PL experience and available.
I thought he was a down south guy and wouldn't move, but what do I know. Even he has bills to pay. If he came I fear it would just be a stepping stone to something else further down the line. 
I'm sure he would improve our general performance, but keeping is up is a big ask.