Daggers v Rotherham - Preview

Tomorrow, the Daggers entertain Rotherham United Football Club in another Npower League Two Fixture. The Millers will always hold a special place in the Daggers history as they are the club we beat at Wembley in the League Two Play Off Final 2010. I've also respected the Millers fans after their overwhelming support they brought to Wembley even more than us despite ourselves being considerably closer in distance to the home of football. A big issue in their club in recent years has been their moving of home grounds, Rotherham played at the traditional Millmoor for 101 years which I'm told was a great atmosphere and typical Yorkshire ground however in 2008 they were forced to move grounds and they were forced to play outside of Rotherham and in Sheffield at the Don Valley Stadium. I was fortunate enough to visit the Don Valley Stadium this year which is mainly designed for athletics with a full running track around it, as you can imagine the view and atmosphere was somewhat restricted as you are a considerable distance from the pitch. Thankfully, for the club they are set to return to Rotherham next season in The New York Stadium which is located in the Rotherham town centre and is set to hold just under 19,000.

My view at the Don Valley in the reverse fixture this season.

Recent Form

Rotherham, managed by former Brentford manager Andy Scott currently sit in 13th place, just 5 points off the play offs. Despite this, the Millers have had some indifferent form coming into tomorrow's encounter, they have lost 3 of their 4 league games and have lost their last two games at home to Swindon and Port Vale. Currently showing the signs of a mid table side in need for a bit of consistency to make any real attempt for the play offs as they have won 10, drew 7 and lost 9 with 4 of their wins coming on the road this season. Their top scorer is ex Millwall striker Lewis Grabaan who has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season and is being tracked by many League One sides as well as high flyers Crawley Town in League Two.

The Daggers are also suffering a bad run of form with 3 consecutive defeats in the league as they were defeated once again on Tuesday night away to Torquay. The Daggers will be desperate to end this losing run after suffering 5 defeats and 7 defeats in a row this season, any losing run similar to them will surely make the task of Daggers survival near impossible.

Previous Meetings

Despite the famous win at Wembley being the best day of my life, it was in fact the first and only time the Daggers have beat Rotherham in 8 attempts with the South Yorkshire side coming out on top 5 times with 2 draws also. The last time we met Rotherham at the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium, it was in fact my 16th birthday on the 13th March as we were beaten 1-0 with the goal coming from born goalscorer and now Reading man Adam Le Fondre. The Daggers were also defeated in the reverse fixture this year 3-1 with a brace from the prolific Lewis Grabaan and a goal from ex Bradford midfielder Gareth Evans while the Daggers centre half Scott Doe was on the scoresheet for us.

A picture from the famous day at Wembley 2010.

Team News

The Daggers are rumoured to be welcoming star man Brian Woodall back tomorrow after he missed out away at Torquay in midweek. There could also be a place on the bench for Josh Scott who has been out injured lately. Tricky winger Dominic Green is expected to be out for a few weeks with the fitness of Wembley hero Jon Nurse unknown as he was struggling at the Torquay game on Tuesday. The experienced Peter Gain and ex MK Dons midfielder Luke Howell are looking to return in the next month while Kevin Maher is looking at early March for his return. This should mean the only likely change to the side will be Woodall in for the inexperienced Adam Cunnington while it could be skipper Arber's first game back at Victoria Road since the disastrous 5-2 defeat at home to Aldershot back in October.

Rotherham have boosted their squad this week as they have brought in Crystal Palace winger Kieron Cadogan on loan while they have also recently signed left back and arguably the best full back I've seen play for the Daggers Scott Griffiths who returns to Victoria Road for the first time. Andy Scott is also sweating on the fitness of the impressive Gareth Evans who faces a late fitness test, ex Leeds man centre half Richard Taylor may make his debut tomorrow as Andy Scott desperately needs a win to save his job. Also, journeyman Ryan Cresswell and midfielder Mark Bradley are pushing returns.

Ex Dagger Scott Griffiths is expected to start for Rotherham tomorrow.

One to watch:
In a very exciting and talented squad, I have picked ex Brentford winger Sam Wood as the one to watch as I have watched him for 3 years now and have always found him a handful to deal with. The Kent born midfielder came through the ranks of non league through Cray Wanderers and Bromley where he spent 6 years in the non league circuit. Wood then got his move into the Football League where he was an integral part of the Brentford's League Two Championship winning campaign in the season of 2008/2009. He recently went on loan out at the Millers where he has just made his move permanent.

Sam Wood is the one to watch tomorrow.

Prediction:

Every match is a massive game for us now as we aim to avoid suffering a soul crushing back to back relegations. Tomorrow is an excellent chance to get a surprise victory against an under pressure Andy Scott and Rotherham. It is massively important the fans get behind the team tomorrow and avoid negativity spreading to the players. Despite some people thinking we are unable to win a game without one of Peter Gain and Kevin Maher, we must go on without them for now and I believe the first goal of tomorrow's game will be a big factor. If we were to take the lead tomorrow, I believe it would cause huge panic in an already nervous Rotherham side. I am also looking forward to Captain Fantastic Mark Arber silencing some of his critics from earlier in the season as he faces the tricky front two of Lewis Grabaan and ex Orient man Alex Revell. The match report of the game will be on here Sunday at some point as I recover from a hangover after celebrating Daggers 3 points. Keep the Faith. Stay Positive.