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Rotherham started well pushing forward bringing both Monkey and JCR into play. If only JCR would learn not to hold on to the ball too long, early crosses into the box can be just as dangerous as ones from the bye line. Usual story though no penetration in the last 1/3rd of the pitch with nobody able to make that defence splitting killer pass! We have been saying this since the old Third Division days and nothing ever changes. Except for brief spells, when we had the likes of Robinson.
Monkey had the best and only real chance of the half for the Millers, but shot straight at the keeper from a tight angle. Don't recall their keeper making another save in the first period, but we kept pushing forward to the edge of the box when as usual we hit the proverbial brick wall.
At the other end our old mate Shaw missed a sitter from a few yards out, 3/4 of an empty net to shoot at but he scuffed his shot to see it hit the post and get cleared.
Unfortunately, soon after Swailes took a knock and had to go off to be replaced by Minto. That signalled a back four shuffle with Hurst going to right back, Barker going central and Minto as left back. In my opinion, the first half ended even steven with neither side putting in much goalmouth action.
Second half 'Colin' must have vented his anger at SUFC and from the kick off they went on the attack with little reply from the Millers. Here we go again, it was only a matter of time, again just after the break. I wonder if the team have a nap during the interval, as they looked half asleep in those opening minutes! You could see a goal coming, unfortunately not for us.
When it did come our 'unlucky' defence headed the ball out, I think Gilly was the culprit, only to hit our own player and fall into the path of Shaw. This time he made no mistake from 8 yards out. Glad to see his celebrations were muted even in front of his own Kop. Is he a closet Miller I ask, will he be one? He certainly should be...
One or two forays down the wings from JCR and Monkey were our best response. Hoskins hit a first timer goal bound only to see it blocked by Kozluk, brought tears to a glass eye!
Polly made one superb save and a couple of other fine stops while at they other end their keeper didn't muddy his gloves and that was that, another defeat and another failure to beat the Blades.
In conclusion, after a fairly even first period, Sheffield United upped the tempo and were the better side in the second. Both teams lacked penetration in the last 1/3rd of the field. The likes of Tonge and Jagielcka failed to perform as expected and were largely ineffective, could they be saving themselves for the Arsenal.
For the Millers, Butler was still not up to last year’s fitness levels and not at his best. Did he come back too soon as he seems to tire quickly? In midfield, same old story and two new faces would not go amiss. What about the lad from Wolves, Sammy what’s his face to name but one! 
As for the bench, Warney to Mansfield, when? Soon I hope as Palmer’s job can't be that secure and would another manager want him? Garner to, well anywhere really.
And Vernazza to Soccer Camp!
That’s just for starters.
Good points...Hoskins looked lively but needs support up front and back up from midfield. Monkey’s getting his confidence back and looking more dangerous with every game. JCR still tricky but needs to get shut sooner don’t beat that extra man.
Let’s start to build the team now for next season. As for the Management team though, not so sure. Not a lot seems to have changed on the field since Ronnie. Maybe a total clean sheet is what’s needed!!! Oh we’ve had one of those against Forest and we still failed to win!
Is this the end of an era, I ask myself? Relegation looks more certain than ever and we still haven't beaten the Blades this time around. Local Derby's galore are looming on the ever looming horizon.
Finally though, there was some good news for those of you who decided against making the short trip, you saved £20!
Albert