LASTSEASON
LEAGUEONE16thFACUPSecondRoundLEAGUECUP
SecondRoundTOPSCORERIanHenderson(below,21)LASTSEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 22nd FA CUP 3rd Round LEAGUE CUP 2nd
Round TOP SCORERS Semi Ajayi, Michael Smith, Will Vaulks (8)68 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwo
ROCHDALE ROTHERHAM UnITED
SKY BET LEAGUE OnE
2019-20
FFTVERDICT
22nD FFT VERDICT
5TH
Despite eventually finishing 16th
last season, Rochdale had the
worst goal difference in League
One (-33). Getting rid of Keith Hill
may have paid off in avoiding the
drop, but rookie manager Brian
Barry-Murphy has a difficult job
ahead of him to repeat the trick.Paul Warne will hope Rotherham
can continue to be a yo-yo club
for one more season and secure
promotion again. The club-record
signing of Freddie Ladapo, who
smashed 19 goals for relegated
Plymouth, shows ambition, but
Will Vaulks will be hard to replace.The big talking point among the fans
is the lack of transfer activity. Most
were hoping Brian Barry-Murphy could
make his mark on the squad, but there
were no arrivals as we went into July.
This season will be different because
the fractious atmosphere should have
disappeared. Fans rallied around the
team and new manager at the end of
last season, and it made a difference.
I won’t be happy unless we bring in
a couple of creative players. It’s clear
Ian Henderson needs more support.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Brett Pitman, one of the
best players I’ve seen at this level. He
links play, win fouls and scores goals.
The best Dale social media account
is @RochdaleAFCcom. It does a great
job of keeping fans updated with club
goings-on and throws in an occasional
Bury/Oldham dig for good measure.
Did you know that Rochdale has the
Football League’s highest percentage
of home fans that go to away games.
The best away ground is the Stadium
of Light. It’s almost ridiculous that it’s
hosting sides like us in the league. Last
season’s trip felt like a cup tie.
The best away fans are Southend’s.
They travelled a long way in decent
numbers for a relegation six-pointer.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Rochdale is the great
atmosphere in the Cemetery Hotel.
Away fans are always welcome, too.
Our key player will be Ian Henderson,
because he’s Ian Henderson. He may
be the most important and consistent
player in the club’s history. He shows
no sign of ageing yet, either.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that he made us much more difficult
to beat, although I believe he’ll try to
implement a more possession-based
style now. He is immensely popular
after steering us clear of relegation.
We’re excited for his first full season.
If he left, he should be replaced by
Pete Wild, after being treated so badly
at Oldham, but I hope Barry-Murphy
will be given time.
We’ll finish 18th. I suspect that, once
again, we will struggle but do enough
to stave off relegation.The big talking point among the fans
is whether Semi Ajayi will follow Will
Vaulks out of the door, and for what
fee. They deserve higher-level football.
This season will be different because
expectations in League One are much
higher than in the Championship. We
seem to be too strong for one league
but not strong enough for the other.
I won’t be happy unless we make the
play-offs, at least, after a few signings.
Our best celebrity fan is Paul Chuckle.
He’s the club president and he attends
every Rotherham home game.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is James Norwood. He’s the
complete lower-league forward.
The pantomime villain will be Chris
Maguire. He likes to wind up opposition
fans and players and, as an ex-Miller,
he’ll definitely be up for it.
Look out for 20-year-old midfielder
Ben Wiles [below], our best youngster
last term. There’s a potential Premier
League footballer in there...The one change I’d make to the club
would be to hire a defensive coach.
We have conceded 234 league goals
since the start of 2016-17.
Our most underrated player is Kyle
Vassell. Last year he was injured a lot,
played out of position and unlucky in
front of goal at times. He’s proven at
this level and should be good when fit.
Our key player will be Michael Smith.
For a strong 6ft 3in targetman he has
pace, quick feet and a great touch, and
he brings others into play expertly.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at the New York Stadium
is how close it is to the town centre.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that Paul Warne [above] is, in every
aspect, a Rotherham United legend.
The fans have a real connection with
him and understand the tough task
he has. His biggest asset is his ability
to motivate a team, and his biggest
weakness is organising a defence.
If he left, he should be replaced by
Micky Mellon, who has done a great
job on a small budget at Tranmere.
We’ll finish 2nd, if the recruitment is
right. The staff know the league well.
But Ipswich will be top.FAn FILE
DEAN SMITH
@atthepeake
FAn FILE
ROSS KNAPTON
@RossKnapton