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Match Previews

Preview: Rotherham United

21 January 2022

Match Previews

Preview: Rotherham United

21 January 2022

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It's another exciting challenge for Cheltenham Town on Saturday with an away trip to one of League One's leading sides in Rotherham United (kick-off: 3pm).

With even more new bodies in the building this week, the Robins head up to South Yorkshire looking to record what would be an impressive result if they can take something from the game at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Last time out Charlton Athletic denied the Robins with a last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, but having recorded three consecutive draws, Michael Duff's men will be aiming to step up on that and secure a first victory of 2022.

Tickets are available to buy on the day from the away ticket office at the stadium.

Team news

New signings Kion Etete and Charlie Colkett could be involved having arrived at the club this week.

And even more January arrivals: Reece Hutchinson, Aaron Ramsey and Ben Williams, will be hoping to get their first minutes.

Ellis Chapman (pictured) and George Lloyd both miss out due to injury.

Media talk

Michael Duff has been keen to highlight Rotherham's quality ahead of the trip.

"I don't think they've lost at home since the 10th or 11th of September," he said when speaking to the media.

"We know what's ahead - they do every part of the game well. They're fit, they're organised, they're physical, they can play - so there's a reason why they're top of the league.

"They were in the Championship last year and you can see why they were in the Championship last year.

"If you think you're going to get two or three touches think again because you're going to get pressed. We just need to be better than what we have done when we've gone up against better teams in the first half of the season."

You can watch the full press conference with Duff on iFollow.

Opposition

With their midweek fixture against Lincoln City postponed because of a frozen pitch, Rotherham enter into Saturday's contest in the play-off places, narrowly off the automatic top two, after a surprise away defeat at Fleetwood Town last time out.

Prior to that their league form had been exceptional taking 12 points from a possible 15, so they'll be looking to get back to winning ways on home turf this weekend.

In Michael Smith they have one of the third tier's in-form strike men. In all competitions he's netted 18 times this campaign, while his fellow attackers include Josh Kayode, Northern Ireland international Will Grigg and the well-travelled Freddie Ladapo.

Captain Richard Wood, youth product Ben Wiles and 50-time capped Northern Ireland midfielder Shane Ferguson offer good experience in a squad that for many of its members has played above League One level.

The manager: Paul Warne

Having twice earned Rotherham promotion to the Championship as manager, it's of little surprise that Paul Warne has got the Millers in a good position to do so again.

He first took caretaker charge in November 2016 and went onto become the permanent boss. Since then it's been a rollercoaster few years of promotions to the second tier and then relegations back into League One in what is his only managerial position to date.

His playing career was mainly spent at Rotherham too in two different spells, while he also turned out for Oldham Athletic, Yeovil Town, Mansfield Town and Wigan Athletic in the Football League having started his career in non-league football in Norfolk with the likes of Great Yarmouth Town, Diss and Wroxham.

Tickets & travel

Tickets have now gone off sale through the club's ticket office but will be available to buy at Rotherham on the day.

Supporters who have purchased through Cheltenham but not collected their tickets will be able to pick them up from the AESSEAL New York Stadium on matchday from the away ticket office.

Fans booked onto the Travel Club coach are reminded that it leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10am.

Coverage

Social media: Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for updates. Score updates will also be available on the club's Facebook page and Instagram account.

Radio: Buy an audio match pass to listen to full match commentary on iFollow. It's also available on BBC Radio Gloucestershire for those in the county.

Website: Post-match you can read a match report and see reaction to the result with interviews on iFollow.

Highlights: Extended highlights will be available on iFollow with shorter highlights on YouTube, Sky Sports and Quest.


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