Rotherham Wary Of Gillingham Test

The Millers slipped up last week at Port Vale when they lost 2-0 and suffered their first defeat in six league games, however, Mick Harford is aware that Gillingham will provide a tough test. Talking to the Rotherham United official site he said: “They have a fine manager in Neale Cooper who did such a good job at Hartlepool United last season and he has seen his new charges get off to a good start in this campaign. They are unbeaten in their away games and have conceded just two goals from their three games that have all ended in draws. That indicates that we are in for a tight game tomorrow so we will have to be at our best to take the three points”.

Rotherham haven’t got a great record against the Gills recently and have only picked up six points out of the last eight games and were the wrong end of two 3-1 scorelines in last season, where the Kent team were also relegated along with the Millers. A good run of form had looked as if it would be enough to keep them up but a last day draw to already doomed Nottingham Forest condemned Gillingham to an agonising relegation.

Up In The World: Byfield with popstar girlfriend Jamelia

There will be some extra added spice to the game with the return of former Rotherham striker, Darren Byfield who makes his first visit back to Millmoor since his departure to Sunderland in February 2004. Byfield scored 22 goals in 53 starts at Rotherham following his £50,000 move from Walsall in March on 2002 and is expected to start up front with Neil Harris, who was rumoured to be a target for former boss Ronnie Moore last season.

Meanwhile, new Gillingham boss Neale Cooper has been singing from an old and clichéd hymn sheet as he prepares his team for the match. Talking to Gillingham’s official site, Cooper may well have underestimated the Millers. “Rotherham have had a good start to the season,” he said: “Under Mick Harford they will be organised and hard working. The reports we have got back suggest that they get in your face and put you under pressure. So we will have to be ready for them”.

Scott Minto and Colin Murdock are the only absentees for Rotherham and there will be a minute’s silence in respect of Murdock’s father who passed away recently. Kick off is 3pm.