MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by a James Harper debut

[TiagoIlori]

16 points suggests not.

Yet in all of our last four games we’ve struggled to create many chances. If Joao was injured(which is relevant because he’s made out of glass) the table would be looking very very different.

But been defensively sound. A good platform to build on. Over the past few seasons we've conceded far too many soft goals.

This isn’t me commenting on our game as a whole saying we haven’t improved which would be a load of tosh, as it has been since Bowen came in we’ve certainly got a much better defence which Paunovic improved further as our players are much fitter this season. Well work out how to sort out the attacking side of our game eventually but let’s be honest, one fit John Swift would really improve how we are in front of goal.

[Simmops]

Cant wait for this one, im actually going to watch some games tomorrow for once and support reading

[3points]

No concerns if Moore is out, which I doubt. I'd have every faith in McIntyre or Holmes.

One change, Estevez in for Holmes.

Give Ejaria another chance. But tell him to up his tempo. Has he ever played a crisp first touch pass or first time cross in his career? If he doesn't improve then Semedo is ready and waiting.

Meite and Joao had poor games, but you know they score goals, so keep them playing.

We go again.

Commentator on the red button made a comment along the lines of “Ejaria, he does have a tendency to slow things down”.

[Snowball]

No concerns if Moore is out, which I doubt. I'd have every faith in McIntyre or Holmes.

One change, Estevez in for Holmes.

Give Ejaria another chance. But tell him to up his tempo. Has he ever played a crisp first touch pass or first time cross in his career? If he doesn't improve then Semedo is ready and waiting.

Meite and Joao had poor games, but you know they score goals, so keep them playing.

We go again.

Commentator on the red button made a comment along the lines of “Ejaria, he does have a tendency to slow things down”.

So far this season Meite has one goal in five games, and a good header saved.

[CountryRoyal]

Rotherham nailed on to win this one.

I'm more concerned about free-scoring Blackburn tbh.

They're not that good. Three quarters of their goals have come in 2 games against Wycombe and Derby. They have 1 goal and 1 point from their last 3 games.

Hope this doesn't come back to bite us in the arse.

[URZZZZ]

5 years ago today our season was pretty much ended in the space of 10 second half minutes. Let’s hope for an avoid this time around

[URZZZZ]

I'm tempted by switching Olise and Ejaria again... I think they did it for Meite's first game back.

Olise is pretty good at running it forward, and there's a bit more room out wide. There's a bit less space to attack with teams packing midfield. Ejaria plays in tight little spaces anyway, and he'll rarely get his head down and run forward, or whip in a first time ball.

Agree with this. It would make more sense for me.

The fact that it makes so much sense yet we haven't really seen it happen is the puzzle. He even swapped Meite into the middle ahead of Ejaria during one game.

I wonder if it is to do with dominant feet? Right footed Ejaria on the left and left footed Olise and Meite on the right? Our wide forwards do tend to cut in rather than stay out wide so maybe it is deliberate from Pauno?

I have to say though, Olise is giving Meite a real challenge to start on the right hand side. He has looked very good in the wide position. Swift, despite looking poor again in the advanced role, coming back will probably provide us with the answer and I expect to see Semedo challenging for Ejarias spot at some point.

AMR - Meite/Olise
AMC - Swift/Olise/Semedo
AML - Ejaria/Semedo

Good to have competition eh? Also Aluko is clearly backup for all of those positions too.

I thought Semedo was supposed to be a holding midfielder, surprised to see him play so high up the pitch

[Sutekh]

Agree with this. It would make more sense for me.

The fact that it makes so much sense yet we haven't really seen it happen is the puzzle. He even swapped Meite into the middle ahead of Ejaria during one game.

I wonder if it is to do with dominant feet? Right footed Ejaria on the left and left footed Olise and Meite on the right? Our wide forwards do tend to cut in rather than stay out wide so maybe it is deliberate from Pauno?

I have to say though, Olise is giving Meite a real challenge to start on the right hand side. He has looked very good in the wide position. Swift, despite looking poor again in the advanced role, coming back will probably provide us with the answer and I expect to see Semedo challenging for Ejarias spot at some point.

AMR - Meite/Olise
AMC - Swift/Olise/Semedo
AML - Ejaria/Semedo

Good to have competition eh? Also Aluko is clearly backup for all of those positions too.

I thought Semedo was supposed to be a holding midfielder, surprised to see him play so high up the pitch

In Portuguese media Semedo has been described as Guinean-Bissau’s Pogba though probably more to do with his size than anything else. At the clubs has has played games for he’s been played in both forward and defensive midfield roles though believe Benfica tend to see him as more of a defensive player.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Got a bad feeling about this one

[Snowball]

Got a bad feeling about this one

I know the feeling - keep waiting for the bubble to burst, myself!

But TBF Rotherham look very ordinary, so head says we'll be OK

[SCIAG]

I’m sure there’s a clever way of displaying it, but here’s how I’d prioritise our attacking midfield options. Pick three from the list, lowest number plays in the middle and the other two play wide.

1. Semedo
2. Swift
3. Aluko
4. Ejaria
5. Olise
6. Baldock
7. Meite

This isn’t selection order, just about who plays wide vs central. The higher the number, the more likely they are to be selected as a wide midfielder rather than a central midfielder.

So if we’re picking Aluko, Ejaria, and Olise, then I’d put Aluko centrally. If Meite came on for Aluko I’d move Ejaria inside.

[Westwood52]

I have only seen Semedo play once for about 20 minutes.Looks to me as if he could play CF;if Jao is injured.Dont we have enough attacking midfielders anyway ?

[Snowflake Royal]

Rotherham have had three draws so may be tough to beat.

[TiagoIlori]

Think Rotherham have only played Forest, Birmingham and Wycombe- Rotherham were absolutely battered by Forest by the sound of it but they kept missing their chances. Fingers crossed it’s a sign they can be easily be beaten.

[CountryRoyal]

Think Rotherham have only played Forest, Birmingham and Wycombe- Rotherham were absolutely battered by Forest by the sound of it but they kept missing their chances. Fingers crossed it’s a sign they can be easily be beaten.

Strange to have played 3 times twice already at this stage.

[TiagoIlori]

Think Rotherham have only played Forest, Birmingham and Wycombe- Rotherham were absolutely battered by Forest by the sound of it but they kept missing their chances. Fingers crossed it’s a sign they can be easily be beaten.

Strange to have played 3 times twice already at this stage.

whoops should’ve specified they were away games

[Royals and Racers]

Joao injured again ??

[Hound]

Nope on bench. Semedo and Esteves in as well. Happy with the team

[Royals and Racers]

Nope on bench. Semedo and Esteves in as well. Happy with the team

I see !! Reading FC have Puscas playing and on bench

[Snowball]

Any Nobbers who have chosen a non-starter may, if they desire, change their first scorer
prior to say, 2:45