It seems to be the week for “interesting” analogies – first, we had Russell Slade moan about our deep sea defending on Tuesday night, and now Graham Westley has told the press that Steve Evans – this weekend’s opposing manager – is “a pussycat really“. The most alarming thing for us is that the word pussycat instantly makes us think of Pussycat Doll, and that is – quite frankly – an image we don’t want in our head.
Anyway, Rotherham United. The Beeb describes ’em as “playoff chasing” and us as being a perilous point off the relegation zone. Being two points behind outside the top seven with a mere 30 games still to play is worth as much as being two points clear at the top right now. Russell Slade will need our snorkels when his Leyton Orient side start getting deeper down the table as the season progresses. See also: Tranmere Rovers.
Thumbing through the Opta stats for this one, we’re the only League One team that hasn’t scored through a defender this season. So who scored our first against Crawley Town if not defender Peter Hartley? More ominous, however, is the fact that the Millers have bagged a total of 12 points from losing positions – the best in the position. A lesson, maybe, that one goal won’t be enough if we get ourselves ahead.
It sounds as if we’re going to have to call on Jonesey and Hartley in central defence due to the absence of Jon Ashton, but that doesn’t worry us. Luke Freeman to left back and Bruno Andrade wide midfield? With Roarie Deacon suspended and Lee Hills set free to run amid the fields of corn, there’s no other option is there? Is there? We don’t know. That’s why we were turned down for the manager’s job on Football Manager.
FIFA14 Verdict:
Boro’ line-up:
Day; Smith, Ashton, Jones, Hartley; Tansey, Heslop, Doughty, Freeman; Morais; Zoko
With no Roarie Deacon to perform left back duties, we opted to recall Jon Ashton after his absence against Leyton Orient. We could have put Luke Freeman in at left back and picked Bruno Andrade on the wing. But we didn’t. Otherwise, there were no changes to be made – confident as we were that we had enough to overcome the forces of Rotherham United at a grey, overcast Lamex Stadium.
If only the game could have been something to write home about. Alan Smith said the first half was “dull” – something we object to. Two times were we half a yard away from through balls. Momentum seized up in the second half and we almost naffed it up in stoppage time at the end as the referee gave a highly questionable pelanty. Nardiello hilariously missed by chipping over the bar! FT: Stevenage 0-0 Rotherham United
Referee Watch:
James Linington – Another one of those referees with whom we have an acquaintance that goes back to our Conference days. Our record when he’s taken charge of us is quite poor, if you think not winning in three attempts is something to be concerned about. Something to certainly be concerned about is his season so far – in 13 games, he has doled out 46 yellows and 4 reds; an average of 3.5 yellows per game.
Our record under James Linington:
P3 W0 D1 L2 F1 A7 — Yellow: 4, Red: 0
Bookie Bashing:
Rotherham United will come to the Lamex with the marginal backing of the bookies; 13/8 at William Hill the best price on an away win. You can get Stevenage at 19/10 at BetVictor, Boylesport and Bet365 by comparison. This strikes us as a game where both teams will be getting on the scoresheet, so Over 2.5 is our punt. Meanwhile, Betfred will give you 6/1 on Filipe Morais scoring any time. At the time of writing…
Team Tarot:
