lets stand back and take a look at Rotherham United
As Footy fans we generally view life in extremes. Win one week it’s automatic promotion for defo! playoffs as a minimum, lose a game and we are ferhooked. Manager tactically inept no experience, players not playing for the shirt, shambles etc.
Last season two team were out of their depth one was ickle Rovrum and the other was Sunderland. Take a look at Sunderland for a reference position)
We have a rookie manager which we want to get shut everytime we lose (at least according to some) and players who are bargain basement buys.
The difference between Rotherham and Sunderland is that we have started to address our infrastructure. Our recruitment is seemingly better our training facilities are improving and there appears more structure to the management team. with people who have their heart and sole in the club.
Compare this to when Alan Stubbs joined us, he made some poor decisions for sure but as the infrastructure was not in place the whole club collapsed. He carried the can for a football club build on sand. A convenient scape goat to hide all things wrong with the club.
We appointed (eventually) Warny who had a suicidal job But, had the backing of one man.
Fast track to this season – we got our pride back (compare to Sunderland) and we have still a manager who is learning the job. He will make mistakes, he will call tactics wrong and say some silly things to the press. He will get through because he is delivering on a realistic expectation and because of his passion for the club and his honesty will buy him time. Frankly I can more than take his mistakes but overall he is doing a great job. There is no one I would rather have managing my team. Of yes and he is a nice guy with a strong sense of values unlike previous managers.
And by the way a manager organizes the resources and talents available to him – he doesn’t make the mistakes our defense does or miss penalties, nor line up our defense in a set play in the middle of a game. Where is the coaching i hear on this board? Coaching will not turn our players into world beaters overnight. Coaching gives the edge to mature players and teaches better decision to younger players and will bring out their talents as they are maturing. But it will take time, coaching’s benefit is seen over the longer term and not match by match. Coaching is not a solution to a limited amount of talent or bad attitudes.
However, I have seen a very young defense with players with obvious talents become more organised and more stable. Yes they still give me the heebygeebies every game but there is improvement. They arn’t up to the job yet but I am probably seeing enough to say in time these players can be good. The role of the manager here is make a stick or twist call on the talent we have. Warny is looking for CB which again gives me confidence. Unlike Clopp for instance.
Some of our players last season were so out of their depth it was embarassing but this year they becoming ‘must play’ players eg Taylor, Vaulks,. This does not happen by accident.
Our progress cannot be done in one season there were some big fixes to make with our infrastructure – I see progress. There are some big fixes to make with our playing staff – there is progress there as well. We were never going to bounce back after last season in fact we were more likely to go down again but my club responded very well and we have got our pride back. I look forward to going to New York even though I know it will be frustrating. The next few transfer window will be important but we dotn have unlimited funds must never spend beyond our means again and if that means that we miss out on the likes of K Moore then so be it. but i groan when i hear we a bargain basement club we are not we are looking like a club that balances ambition with realistic income. All of this time our manager is learning his new trade, our young players are getting experience Rotherham are slowly (SLLOOOOWWWWLLLLY building back again) THIS IS GREAT!
I hate to see the calls for a new manager when we lose as if a new manager will give our players 5 years of instant experience. I hate to hear getting shut of players because of a bad game, I have seen enough talent that is worthy of investing time in. I am convinced Rotherham are learning from their mistakes and whist this does not guarantee success it says it’s a promising time to be a Miller………..again.
Happy Christmas everyone and a winning new year.
