Charlton 'a really good footballing side'?

I have a lot of time for Rotherham manager Paul Warne.   Opposition managers always try to big up Charlton because it looks better if they win and helps when they get their book of excuses out after a defeat.

Nevertheless, Warne says: 'They've got some outstanding players.  I know I always speak highly of the opposition, but as we have seen, respectfully, every team can cause you problems.  They're a really good footballing side, so when we get the ball back we're going to have to be effective.'

More from Warne on the game here: https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2022/april/read--warnes-pre-charlton-athletic-press-highlights/

Rotherham are fresh from their pizza trophy triumph over Sutton United, albeit it wasn't an easy ride.  Before that they lost 0-3 at home to Shrewsbury and are behind Charlton in the form table.   However, they have won 13 out of 20 home league matches, losing just four.   They have scored 40 goals at home and conceded 20.

I thought that the Millers played some good football in the Championship and were unfortunate to be relegated.   As far as one can judge from highlights on the Football League show, they are a well-organised side who pass well and have pace.

Following midweek results, Rotherham have fallen back to third, although they have two games in hand over MK Dons in second.   For most of the season Curbs has been saying that Wigan and Rotherham will take the automatic promotion places and I agree, although the Franchisees are improving all the time.

I had this down as a 1-1 draw at the beginning of the season.   That might be possible if it wasn't for our shredded defence.   Famewo has not improved to the extent I had hoped, indeed he has slipped back.  There is no doubting Pearce's commitment but pace is an issue.

An outbreak of mutual respect

We are expecting a tough test against Rotherham tomorrow night, but that is also the expectation of their manager Paul Warne.  He says that Charlton are a good footballing side and there is no worse time to play a team than when they have had a change of manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/rotherham-united-boss-expecting-tough-test-at-revitalised-charlton-athletic/

Given that he has been talking to Lee Johnson, he will also be alert to Jayden Stockley's head butting technique. 

For his part Johnnie Jackson has a great deal of respect for Rotherham and also sees it as a tough test: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-caretaker-boss-johnnie-jackson-a-big-admirer-of-rotherham-united/ 

Jackson is hoping for a healthy crowd tonight to get behind the team: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-charlton-fans-can-help-us-create-the-perfect-cycle/

Rotherham are currently top of the form table and 3rd in the table.   Charlton are now 8th in the form table.   Away from home the Millers have won four, drawn one and lost one.  They have scored nine goals and conceded two.  The Millers' last victory at The Valley was in 1982 when they won 5-1.

On October 24th they demolished MK Dons, currently 7th in the table, 3-0 away..   Paul Warne commented afterwards: 'I thought we had flashes of absolute excellence and our out of possession stuff was absolutely frightening today.'

Against Sunderland last Saturday they were dominant for large spells of the game.  Warne said, 'We are trying to win every game we play in.  I think if the lads play at their very best they are very difficult to play against.'   Michael Smith had two great finishes and he is League One's leading scorer with 12 goals.'

A draw would be a good result.

Better value next month reckons Adkins

Nigel Adkins that two League One clubs have been splashing the cash this summer (and it's no secret that they are Ipswich and Wigan): https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-chief-nigel-adkins-gives-his-reaction-to-rotherham-managers-transfer-window-claim/

However, rather than rushing to make signings as some fans advocate the sagacious supremo reckons there will be better value next month when players find themselves without a pay packet.  Wage demands and agents' fees will come down.

It's very easy to over pay for players.

Wilson goes on loan to Rotherham

Lawrie Wilson has gone on emergency loan to Rotherham, reports the official site: M1 emergency

The Millers are engaged in a battle against relegation and Wilson could appear in Saturday's derby clash against the Massives. If Rotherham pull away from the relegation zone, it will help to seal Millwall's fate.

Wilson is a player who divides fans. I think that he is an honest player who gives his best, and sometimes can produce some really good contributions. However, his best is sometimes not good enough for the Championship.

I wish him well at the New York Stadium. I have one friend who comes from Rotherham although she supports Manchester City.

When I was at university, one of my flat mates had a girl friend who was a scion of the now departed traditional department store, Muntus of Rotherham. He said that when he went up there for a tour of the store, the staff were practically bowing and scraping. As the town declined, and out of town shopping grew, it went out of business and for a while was a bar and live music venue.

The family also had a rather nice house at Fowey in Cornwall which he and his girl friend visited in the vacations. Yes, I was a bit envious.