Next Up: Rotherham United vs Exeter City

A second straight win and a third successive clean sheet have put clear daylight between City and the bottom four, and more pleasingly still was the style in which City comfortably disposed of fellow strugglers Mansfield on Tuesday night, not allowing a single shot on target and being perhaps unfortunate not to add to the two goals in the opposition net. With no game next midweek Gary Caldwell is free to pick the strongest side available to him, so changes may be kept to a minimum. Jack McMillan returned to the side on Tuesday, while Pat Jones started the second successive match and his effective first half display may be enough to keep him in once more – alternatively Caleb Watts also impressed off the bench and there are growing calls for him to be an automatic selection.

Installed amongst the favourites to make an immediate return to the second tier and with a returning favourite at the helm, it’s fair to say this season has not been one for Rotherham fans to cherish. The signs were probably bad when they turned up at lowly old Exeter on the opening day and left with nothing after a 1-0 defeat, but what was supposed to be a temporary setback has instead led to a season of mid-table mediocrity – indeed defeat on Saturday will see the Millers drop below City in the table. Steve Evans’ side has been able to enjoy a rest in midweek following their 1-0 defeat at Wrexham last Saturday, after two successive wins prior to this had ended a run of four defeats and a draw. Despite a wealth of attacking talent at their disposal it’s former City striker Sam Nombe who leads the way with just ten goals (nine in the league), while Jonson Clarke-Harris, so prolific at Peterborough, has six league goals. Elsewhere there is City interest in Cameron Dawson and Zak Jules, although neither are likely to feature – Dawson has spent most of the season as understudy while Jules was withdrawn at half time in last Tuesday’s win over Leyton Orient and didn’t play against Wrexham.

That 1-0 win on the opening day courtesy of Watts was greeted with Evans’ usual charm and good grace. City will, however, want to banish the memories of their last trip to the New York Stadium, where Rotherham emerged from a promotion six-pointer 4-1 victors through Pringle, ex-City striker Dan Nardiello, O’Connor and Morgan, Danny Coles netting a consolation. City supporters would prefer to remember the previous trip to Rotherham (or, more accurately, Sheffield) when Richard Logan’s header in 2009 clinched back-to-back promotions. Overall Rotherham have the edge in league head to heads 14-11, with eight matches finishing level.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Martin Coy
Assistant Referees: Thomas Cooke and Alistair Nelson
Fourth Official: Dean Watson

Martin Coy last refereed an Exeter game in October 2022 when Exeter beat Barnsley 2-0 at Oakwell. So far this season Martin Coy has taken charge of 22 games, issuing 72 yellow cards and one red card.

Interview with Gary Caldwell

Interview with Ed Turns