The last time
Bristol City hosted Rotherham United, more than 19,000 Robins fans packed into
Ashton Gate on a gloriously warm, sunny early-May afternoon. Needing a win to secure promotion to the
Championship, Gary Johnson’s men swept aside the Millers with help from a David
Noble double, before Alex Russell scored the goal which made sure City had
accomplished their mission.
The rest, as is
so often mooted, is very much history,
Who would have
thought on that sunny day that 6½ years on that we’d be approaching this game
with our fifth different manager (or head coach) about to take charge of his
first league match. Who could have predicted we’d be not only back in League
One (OK, most of us might have forecast that!) but £50m worse off and facing a
fight to stave off relegation to the basement?
Who would have thought we’d still be awaiting a decision on where we’ll
be playing our home matches in years to come?!
But here we are
and whilst around one-third of the time that has passed did so with much joy,
excitement and anticipation, the balance has passed with an unerring drumbeat
of misery, despair and significant chunks of dreadful football.
So here we are,
with Steve Cotterill about to take charge of his first home match and facing
probably the most underwhelmed set of fans for an external appointment since
Tony Pulis’ ill-thought out period in charge more than a decade ago. That’s not to say people aren’t going to be
supportive of him – the majority of those feeling a little short-changed,
myself included – have already taken to forums and social media to pledge
support as we all, of course, want the same thing.
Equally I don’t
doubt that, initially at least, we will see an upturn in results and a few more
‘W’s against our name in the league table, a sight that would be welcome for
everyone involved. Whether or not Cotterill
is the correct long-term appointment, or will play the ‘right’ style of
football, or will stand by the pillar principle of bringing youth players through
and so on and so on, are all valid points for discussion, but that is for
another day, as is the Board’s approach to the whole situation and the
questions many fans have for them.
For the here and
now, we are in a pretty desperate position in the league and need a few
victories to climb that table, so every fan must get behind Cotterill and
whoever he picks, get behind the team and hope they can sow the results of the
background work put in over the past year to keep our club looking like a
sustainable, viable, long-term progressive outfit.
Meanwhile, our
opponents arrive in Bristol in a more-than-reasonable shape, perhaps surprising
many by being in the play-off positions.
Lewis Hancock spoke to Jonathan Veal, a Press Association reporter who follows The Millers, to find out why they’re
doing so well and what City might face this weekend.
Are you
relieved the club rejected the approach from Sheffield Wednesday for Steve
Evans?
“No one would have liked to see a
Rotherham manager leave for Sheffield Wednesday, but it was never really going
to happen. The chairman is clear about where he wants the club to go and he has
steered them into a position where he doesn't need to sell players or let
another club poach the manager. In truth, it should be Steve Evans that is
relieved as, although they are clearly a bigger club, it is not the job for
him. As well as he has done at Rotherham and Crawley, he has been bankrolled
and that wouldn't happen at Wednesday.”
Rotherham
appear to be a surprise package this season. Can they maintain their current
form and stay in the play-off mix or is it likely they’ll fall away into
mid-table?
I think the play-offs are certainly an
achievable target. The team have been playing well, Evans has recruited well
and there's the chance of recruitment in January, which could be vital. That
said, I expect them to just fall short and finish around eighth.”
Who
should City fans look out for on Saturday?
“The team is full of quality players. Ben
Pringle has been linked with Reading, Kari Arnason played for Iceland in the
recent World Cup qualifiers and Nouha Dicko has looked very good since coming
on loan from Wigan.”
The last
time the two sides faced each other, City gained promotion on the last day of
the season in 2007 whilst Rotherham were already relegated. What has changed at
the club?
“Back then the club was just bottoming
out, paying the price of four years in the Championship. Tony Stewart came in,
rescued the club from extinction and has rebuilt it from top to bottom. The
return to the town has been instrumental, the New York Stadium is a superb
facility, and has increased the gate. Stewart's continual backing of the
manager has meant that we have been able to build a really strong squad. The
manager has obviously got to take some of the credit. While he is not
universally liked his ability and getting the best of the team has been a key
factor.”
Can I
get a prediction for the match?
“3-1 Rotherham”
Ambitious perhaps, and I'm sure many a fan groaned when they realised their away trip would coincide with the first home match for a new manager - let's hope the anticipated fillip this usually gives a side starts with a bang this side of Christmas, it's a great time to go on a good run of form!
COYR!
The Exiled Robin
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