great performance from players, fans and manager. the substitutions were exactly what we said, brave decision on ataji up front and a wonderful game of football. blackburn are a good team, nice to see a top team play fair and a ref that was balanced. it is up to ts now to back his manager 2 strikers, midfielder to cover for frecks and a centre half to replace wood
1st half was very even both teams trying to attack and score goals, we had a few half chances, and they had that triple block on the line - from Rodak and Mattock? - if anyone is in any doubt about player commitment - just needs to see that - total bodies on the line.
2nd half went flat for me just before the subs I said to my lad we need some presence up top and need JCH just to put some fear up them as Ball & Yates give them the same kind of problems, but having said that we weren't creating much either so was crying out for Newell as well. So fair play to Warney as it was flat for 35 minutes second half. They got real lucky with that ball that got deflected into his path but he finished it well. Then when those 2 came on and then Plan C kicked in with Ajayi up top they absolutely couldn't deal with us, we got wide, got crosses in, got some corners and free kicks and suddenly started to look very dangerous. We deserved to equalise, and how the ref turned down those 2 pens in space of 5 seconds I'll never know - but what an ending to the game!
All credit to the lads, yes we have a mistake in us but all we ask is fight for the cause - and they certianly did that today - Warney will be well pleased.
Another solid performance. Masterstroke by Warney when he brought on Newell and JCH on 60 minutes. Then took off Woody later and brought on Ihiekwe and moved Ajayi up front to help out in attack. It paid off. 1-1 fair result. We still need at least two players in to bolster the squad.
Really exciting and entertaining game of football. Blackburn were decent but I expected more from them. I thought if either side edged it we probably did. Apart from the goalmouth scramble they had and the goal that he took really well, they didn't create a lot. We made chances in the first half and also after we went more direct towards the end. They couldn't handle JCH at all when he came in. Can he put in performances like that consistently? If so he is a real asset, but we have seen occasions before when he has given us a good half game and then disappeared for the next three. On the whole,two teams going for it,entertaining stuff, a good point, probably a fair result, and on we go.
What Exeter said but Yates brings little to the table - Ball has always got to rethink the first pass he sees because Yates just isn't moving in the right places.
JCH did what we all want him to do for us.
Good watch today for once but only really when JCH put the fear of God into them.
Best game at NYS this season by some margin. Before the match I had thought that a point would be a significant achievement. As it turned out, I was slightly disappointed that we didn't nick all three at the end. After we equalised, the spirit and confidence in the team shone through. Had the same situation occurred a few weeks ago, we would have sat back after our goal to try and protect the point. As it happened, we threw ourselves forward seeking a winner and, really, in those last few minutes, only one team was capable of wiinning and it wasn't Blackburn.
Great performances all around the park with the two full backs being standouts. Rodak only had two significant saves to make and he did that well. Top marks to Warne for a first class tactical display making substitutions and formation adjustments at just the right times and ultimately contributing directly to our success.
Finally, if ever there was proof that Vaulks best position is central defence, today was it. His defensive headed clearances from their set pieces were first class. However, whilst in the midfield role his distribution was poor in the main. With Newell performing so well after he came on, I think we have sufficient quality in midfield and Vaulks needs to be played where he is most effective. And finally, finally, JCH showed what he can do and Blackburn just could not contain him. Some consistency from him would ease PW's January transfer dealings significantly.
I thought Blackburn went into panic mode when Newell and JCH came on, their right back Caddis was subbed immediately after Newell went by him and them 'smashed' him in a tackle, Jonno looked fired up and was immense, holding up the ball to bring the mid-fielders into play. And I have to pay a compliment to Joe Mattock, anyone who has questioned his commitment in the past only needed to watch that game, talk about putting your body on the line!
Both full-backs looked good throughout, Ajayi was excellent and I thought Wood had a good game (apart from one 'shanked' clearance into the crowd). Forde had a very good first half but did not see too much of the ball in the second and Ball looked classy up top.
And a pat on the back to Warney, good management and well timed substitutions (although Newell would start for me every week).
Very entertaining game and a good yardstick for the Millers progress over the past couple of months.
Same from me. At least PW is learning by making his subs when there's enough time left for them to impact the game. Forde and Yates were passengers. We can't play two small guys up front and Towell staying here has to be a priority.
Totally disagree about Vaulks. His long passing was outstanding when he had a player to find. Best midfield display I've seen this season in a Millers shirt. Always looking for a shot. Sure it was him who headed the ball on for Ball's goal. I'm hoping we can keep him, he's that good. Emmanuel outstanding, JCH give him the game time now. Only weak links were Wood & no wingers + Yates whose not good enough, doubt if he ever will be. Williams is a winger but not on the left.
I thought there were no bad individual performances. Yates struggled to get involved but in fairness he was being asked to win headers and hold the ball up, which isn't his game at all, so he can't really be criticised. JCH was virtually unplayable. Ball is class.
Wood has been a good defender but unless he is playing up against a big striker who wants a physical battle he looks vulnerable. He played his part though in a pretty sound defensive display across the back five (Rodak included). Emmanuel was really strong but (to be critical) was responsible for the Blackburn goal. His positioning was really bad. Dack would have been five yards offside if Emmanuel didn't make the defensive line look like a dogs hind leg. You could see by his reaction when the ball hit the net that he knew it too. He is improving week by week though.
Towell looked knackered to me and second half he was visibly flagging, but he kept going admirably. Williams was fading and it was fair enough to replace him with Newell who would always be a starter if I was the manager. Forde I thought did pretty well. I'm not a huge fan but credit where it is due. Vaulks had good moments. He hit one good long pass second half out to the right wing. His shot first half was a good one. He deserves credit for the run and header that Ball knocked in for the goal. He gave everything he had and was out on his feet at the final whistle. But GlennMiller is right - his overall performance in midfield in general play was ordinary at best. If Potter is not going to be fit and with Frecks out injured so often, I think a central midfielder in January who can manage a game for usand protect the back four is as much of a priority as a striker.
-- Edited by smiler on Tuesday 2nd of January 2018 12:12:48 PM
Obviously there are different opinions about individual players' performances yesterday. The noticeable thing is that we're debating how 'good' players were as opposed to how 'bad'! There's progress. Just to add one further controversial claim into the mix, I thought Forde had his best game yet! Like Smiler, I've often been critical of his strength and ability to beat a man. But yesterday his work with Emmanuel on the right caused Blackburn's defence all sorts of problems. He beat the full back on numerous occasions and the quality of his crosses was superb. In fact, I mentioned during the game that our overall crossing game had improved 100% in recent weeks. Final point, I thought it was Mattock who headed on the ball which Ball scored from? May be wrong?!
I thought in real time it was Mattock who won the header Glenn, but certainly on the Sky highlights (google Rotherham 1 Blackburn 1 Sky highlights - sorry don't know how to post a link) it was our orange -booted utility man who won the header. I thought Forde was really busy, although for me he still lacks a yard of pace or a trick to beat a full back, and him and Emmanuel seem to have an understanding going. Emmanuel's cross in the first half that Ball got onto (when their defender got a block in and the ref wrongly gave a goal kick) was as good as any I have seen this season.
The two of them look a bit alike Glenn. Perhaps I am being unfair to Vaulks. Perhaps it was Mattock who kept passing it into touch in the first half!! Only kidding. I don't want to put any negatives on a good all round performance and result. They all did well.
I just wonder if the game looks different depending where you sit at NYS? I know that people sat in the South stand definitely have a different take on events to those sat in the rest of the ground!!
both yates and kch have both positive and negative points
question did anyone notice in the first half when da ball had the ball on edge of their box and yates was in my opinion in a better position to have a have ball passed it back to mattock
i think warne needs to put wiles on for 10 to 15 mins as well
if we buy moore all well and good but i think a more pressing issue are replacements for potter and frecks, towell would be a good replacement for frecks
is vaulks a better player than potter no some of his passing is very wayward at times
Yates and Ball up top are not a long term solution that's for sure. Blackburn up until JCH came on had them in their pockets and we are kind of glossing over the fact that for 35 very long 2nd half minutes we were very much 2nd best and lacking any kind of ideas.
Vaulks needs to play centre back, as strange as that sounds. He can put himself about enough, while doesn't win as many headers he has much quicker reactions to 2nd balls and is more old school than Ajayi who more than once nearly got into trouble with stupid decision making in not being old school and hoofing it from danger. How many times did Wood have a free header to clear and each time headed straight to the opposition or not far enough? - not one of his best games.
I was actually screaming out for game management once we'd scored, but credit to Warney and the players for going for it, the last 10 minutes were akin to promotion winning sides I don't think Blackburn knew where it came from. If only JCH could do that for 90 minutes consistently (plus more game time he'd have scored that at the end after making a great position for himself).
I must also say echo and say again about Mattock, who was on the end of a right old bruising on Saturday, putting himself in harms way. While a good workmanlike performance and possessing a really wicked corner, Forde isn't a solution on the right. This was opitomised 2nd half when both he and Emmanuel couldn't get by that left back and in the end both made fools of themselves, I don't believe he has the ability to beat a man
Yates and Ball up top are not a long term solution that's for sure. Blackburn up until JCH came on had them in their pockets and we are kind of glossing over the fact that for 35 very long 2nd half minutes we were very much 2nd best and lacking any kind of ideas.
Vaulks needs to play centre back, as strange as that sounds. He can put himself about enough, while doesn't win as many headers he has much quicker reactions to 2nd balls and is more old school than Ajayi who more than once nearly got into trouble with stupid decision making in not being old school and hoofing it from danger. How many times did Wood have a free header to clear and each time headed straight to the opposition or not far enough? - not one of his best games.
I was actually screaming out for game management once we'd scored, but credit to Warney and the players for going for it, the last 10 minutes were akin to promotion winning sides I don't think Blackburn knew where it came from. If only JCH could do that for 90 minutes consistently (plus more game time he'd have scored that at the end after making a great position for himself).
I must also say echo and say again about Mattock, who was on the end of a right old bruising on Saturday, putting himself in harms way. While a good workmanlike performance and possessing a really wicked corner, Forde isn't a solution on the right. This was opitomised 2nd half when both he and Emmanuel couldn't get by that left back and in the end both made fools of themselves, I don't believe he has the ability to beat a man
this is what annoys me about warne
he plays williams out of position on the eft when he is far better on the right wing just to accomodate forde. i cant fault forde work rate just his ability which is probably why warne picks him.
newell is a far better player going forward its his defensive part of his game that lets him down
An outstanding performance from Paul Hurst. He showed Paul Warne what to do when you are desperate for a goal. Well done for Paul Warne for putting the exact subs on at the exact time as Derbymiller and I said he should (first time we've agreed on owt lol).
Yates skills are limited but I think his contribution was underestimated. When the subs came on the Blackburn defence were visibly tiring. Thanks largely to having to chase after mad dog Yates.
Ultimately a fair result in a cracking game, where yet again Emmanuel gave an excellent performance to prove my early season statement wrong, which I'm over the moon about.
A special mention to the ref, who although I think he bottled giving us a penalty twice in the last minutes, had an excellent game. Nice to watch a game of football instead of the referee show.