Shrewsbury v Millers - the story of the day
Shrewsbury v Millers - the story of the day
ROTHERHAM United racked up a super sixth straight win at the expense of League One leaders Shrewsbury Town.
Skipper Richard Wood's 44th minute goal separated the teams on a day when the Millers coped with their high-ranking opponents, and a difficult pitch, perfectly.
Shrewsbury stay top, five points clear of Paul Warne's men, for whom the play-offs remain the most realistic goal. Or do they?
ROTHERHAM United racked up a super sixth straight win at the expense of League One leaders Shrewsbury Town.
Skipper Richard Wood's 44th minute goal separated the teams on a day when the Millers coped with their high-ranking opponents, and a difficult pitch, perfectly.
Shrewsbury stay top, five points clear of Paul Warne's men, for whom the play-offs remain the most realistic goal. Or do they?
PIC OF THE DAY
KILLER TOUCH...Richard Wood turns in the only goal of the game. PIctures: TREVOR PRICE
FACTS AND STATS
Numbers game
ANALYSIS: No let-up in the Millers' surge
WE can now safely say that Rotherham United's graduation to genuine promotion contenders is complete.
Of the 18 wins reeled off this season, and in particular the ten of their storming 13-match unbeaten run, Saturday's takes some beating.
The entertainment wasn't stellar and the football wasn't pretty but the match was more comfortable than it had any right to be.
The tight 1-0 scoreline doesn't tell the full story of how well the Millers adapted to an awful, bouncy pitch and chased and harried league leaders Shrewsbury Town out of their stride.
The organisation, the togetherness, the physicality and the unbending belief and teamwork, all laced with moments of skill, it's a cocktail that opponents are struggling to live with at the moment. It's just a shame the season didn't start in December.
Paul Warne does right to play down thoughts of automatic promotion. The most telling statistic at the moment is the gap of nine points down to seventh-placed Plymouth. A play-off place looks more likely by the week.
If they can hold their nerve, Paul Hurst's Shrewsbury are good enough to avoid the end-of-season lottery. If they don't, they won't want to run into Rotherham again.
Pressed back, forced to defend high ball after high ball, never given a moment's piece, they didn't enjoy their day at all.
Michael Smith and Semi Ajayi (twice) should have punished them before Richard Wood did so in the 44th minute, executing the final touch after home goalkeeper Dean Henderson came for, and missed, Anthony Forde's centre. Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, had proclaimed himself "the greatest" on social media during the week.
Even with a makeshift left-back in Michael Ihiekwe filling out the back line in place of the injured Joe Mattock, Rotherham coped with most of what was thrown at them.
When Shrewsbury did break through, Marek Rodak was there with two smart saves, first from the clean-through Shaun Whalley and then as Sheffield United loan man Nathan Thomas closed down on goal.
The second half was more even, the chances at either end fewer. Smith swept another one wide, Whalley blazed over, but the Millers still had overall control. Their game management was good.
"You can see why they're winning games," said Hurst. "They're hard to play against, a big threat from set plays and don't give you time on the ball."
Warne, in turn, referred to his team as "an amazing group of gentlemen" who are increasing in belief with each win.
The remaining 13 games (possibly more) are going to make fascinating viewing.
WHAT THEY SAID
“It was a hard match and the pitch wasn’t amazing and was not good for football for either team. It became a game of corners, throw-ins and hard work really. I thought on chances created we edged it."
Paul Warne
Millers boss
HIGHLIGHTS
Shrewsbury Town v Rotherham United
MAN OF THE MATCH
JOE NEWELL: Dangerous ball carrier picked holes in the home defence.
REACTION - Michael Ihiekwe
“They say losing is a habit, but winning is as well. The confidence in our dressing room at the minute is massive.”
Michael Ihiekwe
after a super day in Shropshire
Old Millers team-mates and now managers Paul Warne and Paul Hurst share a moment.
PLAYER RATINGS
Marek Rodak 8
Josh Emmanuel 7
Michael Ihiekwe 7
Richard Wood 8
Semi Ajayi 7
Anthony Forde 7
Will Vaulks 8
Richie Towell 7
Joe Newell 8
David Ball 7
Michael Smith 6
Subs: Ryan Williams for Forde (63) 7, Caolan Lavery for Ball (75), Matt Palmer for Newell (90). Not used: Lewis Price, Jon Taylor, Jerry Yates, Shaun Cummings