With the Millers playing their final friendly last weekend, the real work starts as Paul Warne will take his squad and hopefully challenge for a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Preparation for the season has been light years better than last season, and Paul Warne gives the Star his thoughts on how its gone, and how the new signings have settled in.
“Procs and Bally have really impressed, They’ve just come in every day and smiled and worked really hard. I know it’s pre-season, which is a romantic time of the year when hopes are high, but it feels like they’ve all been here for ages. Bally, I brought him in for that little bit of guile, but his workrate has been unbelievable for a No 10.”
“The Austria trip really helped, The lads we have brought in are really good people. They won’t all start the first game, but they’ll all be in and around the team."
“Kieffer has done really well. He’s embodied what I want in a centre-forward - that you’ve got to be mobile and a goal threat. He’s been both of them and I think he’ll improve."
“I think Michael Ihiekwe and Semi Ajayi look a formidable partnership at centre-half. Josh Emmanual is full of enthusiasm and I think he’ll improve. He’s done really well."
“Ryan Williams has settled in really well. He really likes what we’re trying to do. Darren Potter is a type of player we haven’t really had here for a while. He can pass forward and he’s a good, relaxing influence in there.”
“I need my defenders to be quick, I don’t think many teams will turn us because we have got pace. That can only come if you have got fit, athletic players who want to do it.
“I want whoever has got the ball to bomb on and the other full-back to stay. Mattock is probably the best crosser we have got at the club and Josh just plays with a smile on his face. The more he can take the wingers that way the less they will want to run him the other way. I want my team to be attacking and play attacking football and that comes from the full-backs.”