We look ahead to Saturday's game at New York Stadium
ROTHERHAM V GILLINGHAMSky Bet League One
New York Stadium
Saturday November 30
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor could be without defender Elliott Hewitt for the trip to New York Stadium. The on loan Ipswich player has picked up an ankle knock and is a major doubt for the fixture.
Craig Fagan is also doubtful with a tight hamstring, but the Manager has said he will leave it until the last minute before making a decision on both of them.
Steven Gregory and Amine Linganzi however remain out.
As for Rotherham they are likely to include new signing James Tavernier in their match day squad. The full back, on loan from Newcastle, joined on Thursday and has had previous spells at Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons.
Manager Comments:
Considering the start Rotherham have made in League One, Peter Taylor knows his team will need to prevent the home side gaining any momentum as they look to record back to back away successes.
Speaking to the club website on Thursday he said: “They have got players that are capable in this league, Steve Evans did great at Crawley and has done well at Rotherham straight away.
“We know they have players who can score goals and wingers who can take you on. We have to make sure whenever we go away that we concentrate more on ourselves than the opposition and we will be looking to repeat the performance we put in away at Sheffield United.
The Gaffer – Steve Evans
Steve began his career in the setup at Bolton Wanderers before joining Clyde in 1979. He spent two years at Broadwood Stadium before signing for Albion Rovers where he enjoyed a successful spell.
A stint at Ayr United followed before finishing his playing career at St. Johnstone in 1986.
His career in management began at Stamford where he guided the club to the Southern League before taking the hot seat at Boston United.
Two spells across six seasons, including promotion to the Football League, caught the eye of other clubs and in May 2007 he became Manager of Crawley Town.
In the 2010-11 campaign he, once again, secured promotion to the Football League, but despite being on course to get to League One at the first time of asking, he resigned in April 2012 to take charge of the Millers.
Last season he ensured the club’s status in the third tier after finishing as runners-up to Gills in League Two, and is mounting another promotion charge with Rotherham with the club currently just outside the play-off positions.
The Skipper – Craig Morgan
The Welsh International defender joined Rotherham last summer from Peterborough on a free transfer and has been a regular figure in the heart of defence.
At 6’2 he offers a strong aerial presence and has plenty of experience at League One level.
One to Watch – Kieran Agard
Kieran also signed for the club last summer following Steve Evans’ arrival as Manager and has certainly made an impression having scored ten goals in all competitions and assisted on two occasions.
At the end of last season he scored three times in four matches to help the club achieve automatic promotion.
Previous Meetings:
The last time the two sides met was in April earlier this year when Deon Burton’s first half strike was enough to
clinch all three points at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The former Derby striker, now at Scunthorpe, had already scored twice at New York Stadium in a 2-1 win and added to his tally just days before the Gills were promoted.
Betting:
For the Gills to repeat their 2-1 triumph at New York Stadium last season, Sky Bet are offering odds of 12/1.
Donervon Daniels, having scored on his debut for the club on Tuesday, is 33/1 to score first.
A 1-1 draw offers a return of 6/1.
Officials:
Referee – Andy Woolmer
Assistants - Matthew Dicicco and Darren Strain
Fourth Official - Ken Haycock