Two minute guide to: Rotherham Utd
Rotherham are the final opponents for Port Vale in 2013 and here’s our brief guide to Steve Evans’ side…
Team news
Chris Lines: will return to the Vale midfield
Chris Robertson misses out through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season. His absence could see Liam Chilvers return to the side. With Dan Jones still an injury doubt after the Milton Keynes game, another option is Doug Loft switching to left-back with Carl Dickinson moving across to partner Richard Duffy. Meanwhile, Chris Lines will make a welcome return to the midfield after suspension.
Rotherham will be without former loanee Nouha Dicko whose loan spell has ended. However, Haris Vuckic will be available. The Millers will also be without right back Mark Bradley and midfielder Rob Milsom.
Possible Vale starting XI:
Johnson
Yates Duffy Dickinson Loft
Griffith
Myrie-Williams Lines Tomlin
Pope Williamson
Pre-match quotes
Doug Loft: expecting a tough match
“They are a tricky side, they always work hard and they put you under pressure. They have got quality on the ball so we know what to expect. We always have good games against them and I always enjoy the games against them so it will be good.”
– Doug Loft
“Some of our players are not at the top of their form at the moment, but they are all soldiering on and getting through it. They picked themselves up well after Saturday’s defeat and I’m delighted with them.”
– Micky Adams after the win over Notts County
Current Form
(recent games first)
Port Vale: W-L-D-W-W
Rotherham: W-D-D-L-L
The men in charge
Port Vale:
Micky Adams
Age:
52
Time in charge:
2009-10, 2011 to present
Games in charge:
210 (W: 91, D: 57, L: 62)
Honours:
Promotion 2012, manager of the month (Sept 2010 and Sept 2012)
Memorable quote:
“I can’t believe my luck at times to be in the opposition dugout with such a great bloke.” (Adams on Steve Evans in 2011)
Rotherham:
Steve Evans
Age:
51
Time in charge:
2012 to present
Games in charge:
86 (W: 42 D: 19L: 25)
Convictions:
One. Pleaded guilty to evading tax in 2006. He was also fined £8,000 for impeding an FA enquiry.
Memorable quote:
“The people of Boston were embarrassed, annoyed and fed up with the events of the past five years.” (the Boston Utd supporters trust on Evans’ reign which culminated with his conviction in 2006)
Head-to-head
Tom Pope: five goals against Rotherham last season
Last time we met
Vale completed the double last season by winning 2-1 on Boxing Day. Louis Dodds and Tom Pope were the Vale scorers.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 24
- Rotherham wins: 23
- Draws: 12
Last time we…
Played Rotherham at home, we won 6-2 with Tom Pope scoring four times. Ashley Vincent and Louis Dodds were the other Vale scorers.
The last Vale team to face Rotherham was:
- Chris Neal
- Richard Duffy
- John McCombe
- Liam Chilvers
- Adam Yates
- Doug Loft
- Sam Morsy
- Ryan Burge
- Jennison Myrie-Williams
- Louis Dodds
- Tom Pope
Connections
Tom Pope: celebrating promotion last season
It’s probably no surprise that Tom Pope will be the subject of much attention after five goals in two games against his former club last season. Pope originally joined Vale on loan from Rotherham in January 2011 before the move was made permanent in June of that year. Pope only managed six goals for the Millers after a £150,000 move from Crewe but he now has 51 in 136 appearances for the Valiants.
Other players to appear for both sides include:
- Gary Roberts
- Exodus Geoghahan
- Micky Cummins
- Stewart Talbot
- Alan Lee
- Jeff Minton
- Lee Glover
- Steve Cherry
- Bradley Sandeman
Cummins still up and running
After spells with Vale (2000-2006) and Rotherham (2008-2010) 35 year-old Micky Cummins is still playing, he’s made seven appearances for Gateshead this season.
Trivia
Some Rotherham United facts:
- The club were originally formed as Thornhill FC in the 1870’s
- In 1905 they changed their name to Rotherham County
- In 1925 they merged with Rotherham Town to become Rotherham United
- Their red and white strip was adopted in 1928
- The team moved into the New York stadium after a 101 year stay at Millmoor
Some Steve Evans facts:
- Evans admitted cheating the taxman of £250,000 in court
- He was successfully prosecuted for tax evasion
- He narrowly avoiding being the first Football League manager to be jailed
- He was fined £8,000 for impeding an FA inquiry
- He was also fined £1,000 for insulting a match official
Supersub Ben?
Should he feature this will mark Ben Williamson’s 99th game for Vale – but he’s only managed to start a third of those games. Ben has 33 starts plus 65 sub appearances from his 98 appearances so far…