Who Are Ya?

Last updated : 15 July 2007 By Paul Smith

At least the Millers start this season level on points with all of their League Two rivals.

Because this time last year financial irregularities and a spell in administration led to the former Championship outfit starting League One ten points adrift of the other 23 clubs.

Immediately installed as favourites for relegation they sought to avenge their deduction but started the season only to re-affirm the bookies' belief losing their opening three games.

Hoskins... Star sale that cost the Millers good league position

Then a miraculous recovery saw Rotherham in promotion form through to December with fans acknowledging that without their points loss they would be just a place from the play-offs.

However, results then took another turn for the worse with the sale of star players Lee Williamson and Will Hoskins - a former Notts youngster - with both joining Premiership Watford.

In truth the money was too good for the financially stricken outfit to turn down but it saw an alarming slide back down towards the relegation zone.

Eventually the drop was confirmed before the final day of the season as the Millers went the last five games without a win. With the gap to safety ending up as thirteen points, even with the ten points they still would have been relegated.

But there is fresh optimism abound at Millmoor as the new season dawns.

The last time they were at this level Ronnie Moore masterminded a promotion before winning League One in their very next season.

Robins... Former club legend now in charge
Although it proved the Yorkshire outfit were ultimately punching above their weight just one tier from the Premiership, Moore managed to keep them there for three seasons before relegation in the fourth.

Now back where Moore started their legendary rise - easily the best spell in the club's history, fans are expectant of another promotion charge.

A new boss is in place in the form of ex-Manchester United young gun Mark Robins - a striker who played a huge part in the Millers' rise under Moore. Robins finished last year in charge but arrived too late to save the club.

Adored by the fans Robins has started off in the right manner by bringing in numerous players other League Two squads will be envious of.

Indeed, individually there is no doubt that United have one of the best squads in the division and must be hot favourites for an immediate return to League One.

Incoming include the likes of Graham Coughlin - captain of the Sheffield Wednesday squad who recently returned to the Championship - talented former Luton midfielder Peter Holmes, experienced Blackpool defender Marc Joseph, and striker Derek Holmes.

With the likes of Craig Fleming and Ian Sharps already amongst their ranks, defence is sure to be Robins' most useful area with teams likely to find United difficult to break down.

Previous seasons have shown that the side with the best defence invariably

Coughlan... Former Sheffield Wednesday man key capture
goes up, as Walsall and Hartlepool in particular showed last season, finishing first and second respectively and with the two best defensive records.

However, is there a possibility that some fans may becoming over optimistic considering several sides who have been relegated over the years have found it difficult to bounce straight back?

Last season aside, many former League One sides are still yet to get back up, with Notts themselves a leading example.

Also, spending the cash and totally revamping a side doesn't guarantee success, with Peterborough United and Darlington examples of this in the past.

NCM believe the Millers are strong candidates for the title provided they get a settled side and realise just how tough the division will be.